Plan to move Dewsbury landmark – but residents fear it’s a no-go zone

A Dewsbury landmark could soon be moving to Crow Nest Park as part of a major regeneration project.

If the plans get the go-ahead, the town center bandstand will move after more than 10 years to its current location at Memorial Gardens on Longcauseway. The move comes as part of Dewsbury’s draft plan in a bid to reduce crime and improve the area around the town hall.

Crow Nest Park has been earmarked as a potential new home for the bandstand and an application to bring it into the historic park has since been submitted to Kirklees Council. The park already has a purpose-built elevated platform as it boasted its own kiosk until the 1960s.

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According to planning documents, the kiosk, which is currently blue, could also take on a “more historic” color when it moves to its new location. Suggestions include dark green and gold or red.

However, members of the public who responded to the request raised their concerns. One resident said: “I fail to see how this proposal makes any sense. There are no acceptable toilets, seating arrangements or refreshment facilities near the proposed site. In addition, the park is a no-go area for many people due to anti-social behaviour.

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“Now that the ill-conceived city center park has been approved, it would certainly make more sense to leave the kiosk on site or relocate it to the city center park and where there are already toilets, seating and refreshment facilities.”

Another added: “I haven’t seen the costs for these plans but I’m sure it won’t be cheap. My objection is that this money could be better spent maintaining or repairing existing buildings which would provide wider use for the people of Kirklees.

“An example is the current state of Cleckheaton Town Hall, which if repaired would provide an excellent facility for bands and other public events. I would ask Kirklees to reconsider this plan based on a better use of the funding.”

Application documents say the move would offer several benefits, including keeping the stand as a community asset, using a vacant kiosk base in the park and providing a centerpiece for the park.

A target date for a decision on the application has been set for July 2.

Other plans for the area around Dewsbury Town Hall include the construction of a new public space complete with an amphitheatre, greenery and seating. This will initially cover the Longcauseway, Wakefield Old Road and Town Hall Way, with the amphitheater serving as the focal point.

The council says the improvements will make the area more attractive, welcoming and safer, while generating more foot traffic throughout the day. In addition to this, changes to parking and pedestrianization are proposed, with one of the council’s aims being to introduce more accessible parking near civic buildings and town center shops.

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