Huddersfield Civic Society defends St George’s Square

Nov 16 2009 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE controversial redevelopment of St George’s Square has been backed by a heritage group.

Kirklees Council unveiled its £4m revamp of the landmark last month, including jets and a waterfall.

Margaret Thatcher’s former press secretary Sir Bernard Ingham recently damned the new-look square as a waste of money during a visit to the town.

It followed widespread criticism with many people writing to the Examiner’s Mailbag letters page to attack the square.

But Huddersfield Civic Society has now defended the revamp, saying it has improved the town.

Vice-chairman John Lockwood said: “We welcome the redesigned square because it provides a generous open space for public events in an area more free of traffic, now confined to the sides.

“It also provides an excellent setting for the grand Victorian buildings which surround it by its tasteful, uncluttered layout which does not compete with them.”

Mr Lockwood also defended the jets outside Huddersfield Railway Station and the waterfall by John William Street.