Work starts on multi-million pound Todmorden town centre transformation
Heart of Todmorden project will develop Bramsche Square and the surrounding area
Hello and welcome to The Calderdale Lead.
I hope you’re all having a good week so far and are getting ready not only for the Bank Holiday weekend but also some much-needed sunshine!
In today’s edition we’ve got details of work starting on a new scheme to transform parts of Todmorden town centre.
Plus, there’s a couple of chunky nuggets in the Calderdale Digest.
So, on with the news…
Calderdale Digest
🐮 A Calderdale farm hopes it can turn muck into brass by using it to generate renewable energy to power the milk-producing business at the site.
James Clarkson has applied to Calderdale Council seeking permission to build an anaerobic digester and engine building at Hazel Slack Farm, Barkisland.
Supporting statements with the application say Hazel Slack Farm is a family-run business, with the applicant having farmed the land for more than 60 years and his family for more than a century.
It is predominantly a dairy farm, with an average milk yield of 8000 litres each cow per year.
The milk produced is sold through Arla Foods on contract to Asda and other supermarket chains, but the farm is also diversifying.
In 2007 the family diversified to ice cream production and the farm is now the base for their family ice cream business Just Jenny’s Farmhouse Ice Cream.
The ice cream business supplies some venues across the region, including farm shops, restaurants, delicatessens and cinemas.
The anaerobic digester plant will use cattle slurry already produced on the holding, if planners agree.
This will be pumped from the farm’s existing lagoon into a cladded circular tank where it is circulated for a minimum period of 28 days, where the slurry will begin to ferment and break down, the supporting statement explains.
“This process produces bio-ethanol gasses which are used to power a combustion engine, in turn producing electricity and heat.
“The plant will produce electricity to primarily serve the agricultural holding,” it argues.
The proposal is to construct a 30kW plant and it is envisaged that 100 per cent of the electricity will be utilised on the farm.
Outside of peak usage, any excess will be exported to the National Grid to generate another source of revenue.
As the draw of electricity is constant due to the robotic milking units, an anaerobic digester plant is the most appropriate method of producing renewable energy, as wind and solar rely upon uncontrollable factors, argues the supporting statement.
If granted, the proposal will “contribute towards the farm’s aims to mitigate and adapt to the predicted impacts of climate change.
Other advantages would be advantages from a decrease in slurry application rates, reduction in input costs, diversifying the business and increasing overall efficiency, say the agents.
❎ Concerns about aspects of Calderdale Council’s election count for one ward will be investigated following a complaint from a candidate, senior officers at the authority have pledged.
On the night, there was some surprise among those attending when the Rastrick ward result was re-declared some while after the winning councillors were announced.
The issues – about the count process, ultimately resulting in some candidate vote totals, but not all, being inaccurately declared – do not affect the outcome of the contest, which saw Reform UK’s Simon Briggs, Dave Small and Jackie Wilson elected as councillors for Rastrick.
And Labour candidate Peter Judge, who has raised concerns, has made it clear he is not asking for a re-run, nor challenging the result.
But in an email to Calderdale Council’s Chief Executive, Robin Tuddenham – who is also the council’s Returning Officer at elections – and the council’s Electoral Services department he says he does want the authority to respond to his concerns about the conduct and process of the Rastrick ward count.
Mr Judge said he was not satisfied with how issues he raised on the night were addressed at the time.
He has also made the Electoral Commission aware of his concerns.
Mr Judge questioned whether the process was satisfactory and wants the council to ask the Electoral Commission (EC) for its views on the issues he has raised and to ask the EC what action it would recommend to “put this matter right”.
He feels the ward’s count was “flawed” and because some totals were initially tallied wrongly, it might be possible the relative ranking of the successful councillors might be affected.
Three councillors were elected for each of Calderdale’s wards in what was a rare “all out” election with every seat contested, and the relative rankings do dictate how long each councillor will serve.
However, on the night, when the ward was re-declared, Mr Tuddenham did state which vote tallies had been correct and which were not, the re-announcement giving the correct totals for three candidates which had been incorrect earlier.
The candidates affected were Liberal Democrat Andrew Menzies, initially declared to have 946 votes but who actually received 195, the Green Party’s Teddy Morgan, initially declared to have 90 votes but who actually received 540, and Conservative Chris Pillai, initially declared to have 659 votes but who actually received 960.
All the other totals initially announced were correct, said Mr Tuddenham, who re-announced each candidate’s, saying whether they had been correct or incorrect when originally declared.
New transformation work in Todmorden will help boost market trade
By Andrew Greaves
Work has begun on the latest stage of the £17.5m Todmorden Town Deal project.
The Public Places in the Heart of Todmorden part of the ambitious scheme will develop Bramsche Square and the surrounding area into a welcoming, attractive and more accessible public space in Todmorden town centre.
The improvements will help boost local trade and support the town’s popular markets. The scheme will make access to the historic Market Hall easier, while a new glass canopy will optimise natural light and enhance the overall market environment.
Stall layouts will be updated, with trading and customer areas more clearly defined to improve safety, accessibility and the visitor experience. Upgraded drainage will also help reduce the risk of flooding
Calderdale Council is delivering the project, with civil engineering and construction company CR Reynolds now appointed as the contractor to carry out the works.
The works will also include landscaping, creating space for people to meet and spend time together. The design will allow the space to be used more flexibly to support opportunities for events.
Work is being carried out in phases to minimise disruption. The first phase will include the construction of a new car park off Rose Street, with over 50 parking bays and secure motorcycle parking.
Subsequent phases involve landscaping, the creation of new seating areas and drainage improvements at Pollination Street gardens; works to the outdoor market; and improvements at Bramsche Square, with new trees, stone features and the installation of electric points to allow for events.
The work is due to be complete by the end of April 2027.
Calderdale Council say that throughout the project, the works will be carefully planned and phased to reduce impact on day‑to‑day trading.
The Todmorden Town Deal regeneration programme is funded by the Government and is being delivered in partnership with the Todmorden Town Deal Board.
Find out more about the Todmorden Town Deal at todmordentowndeal.co.uk, plus information about this and other major projects transforming Calderdale at calderdalenextchapter.co.uk
That’s it for this edition, thanks for reading.
I’ll be back on Sunday with another edition so keep your eyes peeled for that!
Until then, enjoy your week!
Andrew