The ball's back in developer's court now
IT'S ironic that, at the time that Calderdale Council is being pilloried for mishandling the Sugden's affair, the man who holds the key to the scheme is about to announce his latest plans for the controversial site.
There is a certain weary sense of deja vu about developer Bill Ibberson's revelation that he is ready to unveil multi-million pound plans which will transform the centre of Brighouse. Haven't we been this way before? The saga of the Sugden's site has been one of delays, wasted opportunities and now, in the latest instalment, of council mismanagement.
With better handling of the project, the people of Brighouse could have been enjoying their new pool and better shopping opportunities by now.
Instead of which there have been 10 wasted years while the landmark silos have become more dilapidated and a prime site in the centre of town has become increasingly run-down.
The wishes of councillors who, back in 1998, wanted to set up an inter-departmental group to consider the future of the scheme, were unwisely ignored and the authority stands accused of failing to put formal arrangements in place to move the project forward and manage it properly. It's a sorry episode in the town's history and perhaps the best way to draw a line under it is for there to be smooth and rapid progress to regenerate the Sugden's site and the town centre in the process. It's obviously too late for the swimming pool component of the scheme – a new pool is due to open at Wellholme Park in October – but the developer is now promising retirement homes, shops and a new road bridge. The ball is back in your court, Mr Ibberson.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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