Halifax Bus Station demolition plans to go before committee

An application to demolish the existing bus station at Northgate in the town centre and build a new one comes before Calderdale Council’s Planning Committee next Tuesday (September 29).

Councillors are recommended by planning officers to permit the proposals, submitted by Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), with the new bus station including a passenger entrance and concourse building, retention and incorporation of listed structures on site, associated public realm and landscaping works, and highway junction works.

The plans will see vehicle access relocated to Winding Road, say the application papers.

The project has already gained Full Business Case approval at West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s West Yorkshire and York Investment Committee.

A new bus station aims to deliver a modern bus station which is fit for purpose – another piece in the jigsaw of transport and highway improvements the council wants to put in place, with many already under way or completed.

These include several phases of work to improve traffic flows, benefit the environment and improve routes for pedestrians and cyclists along the A629 between Huddersfield and Halifax, and work to bring similar benefits to Halifax town centre.

Key to this are proposals to better connect transport within the town centre, with a new bus station, modernised rail station and connecting cycleways and footpaths.

The application is accompanied by a Listed Building application.

No letters of objection have been received about the plans and three letters of support praising improved pedestrian links to town’s historic Piece Hall and the rail station, planned provision for electric buses, and better pedestrian links to the major Dean Clough business complex.

The application is being brought to the committee because planning lead Richard Seaman considers councillors should determine it because it is a significant proposal for the borough.

It aims to redevelop the bus station to provide modern, safe, facilities which reduce pedestrian and vehicular conflicts, say the papers.

The applicant seeks permission to demolish modern structures on the site and an internal stone arched opening to the foot of the stairs of the listed Sion School facade.

The plans show a fully-enclosed “Y” shaped concourse where bus stands would be segregated from the vehicle area by fully glazed screens and automatic doors linked to induction loops within the bus stand area.

The loops will ensure the automatic doors would only operate when a bus is parked on the respective bus bay, say the papers.

The meeting will be held in virtual form via the council’s YouTube channel next Tuesday from 2pm.