Todmorden News

Todmorden Branded A Centre Of Neglect And Decay

English Heritage have branded Todmorden town centre as an area of neglect and decay in their annual national survey of listed buildings and monuments, which this year also included conservation areas.

The report states that areas of conservation in Todmorden town centre have not been well maintained, and deteriorated significantly in the last few years.

Trevor Mitchell, English Heritage regional director for planning and development, said: “These findings are a call for action. Conservation areas make a tremendous contribution to our quality of life, economy and sense of identity.

Many of the problems they face are due to what owners and businesses do to their properties and how councils manage the streets, pavements, parks and public spaces.”

Responding for Calderdale Council, Amanda Byrne the cabinet member for regeneration and development said: “We need to work together to ensure conservation areas at risk in Calderdale are improved.

“To ensure conservation areas receive the attention they deserve, annual growth of £15,000 was approved in the council budget.

“We are planning to target specific areas and have seen successful repair works at Lumb Mill, Shibden, and Somerset House.”