ART PROJECT TO HELP TRANSFORM COMMUNITY LANDSCAPE (Kirklees Liberal Democrats)

Kirklees Liberal Democrats <info@kirkleeslibdems.org.uk>

ART PROJECT TO HELP TRANSFORM COMMUNITY LANDSCAPE

April 9, 2008 9:48 PM

A £5,000 investment from Huddersfield South Area Committee could help transform the landscape in a troubled area of Huddersfield.

Cllr roger Battye Dalton Ward Member and Chair the Area Committee

The corner of Ridgeway and Harper Inge in Dalton has had a troubled past including problems with drug dealing and vandalism. But the site is now set to be transformed as Kirklees sets its sights on building the areas first combined Library, Information and Children's Centre there by November 2008 (1). And to help dispose of the areas bad reputation once and for all, Loca, the Council's in-house art and regeneration group, is proposing that the final structure should incorporate a piece of art work created by young and old from the local community.

Their proposal is going to the Area Committee on 15th April for decision (2). The group are asking for £5,000 to add to the £18k that will be contributed from the construction funds.

Cllr roger Battye Dalton Ward Member and Chair the Area Committee says:

"The creation of the districts first Library, Information and Children's Centre at the sight was great news. Good people live there but it has had some problems in the past. Hopefully this will be a new start".

"I like the idea of a piece of community created art work featuring in the buildings final structure. It would be like the community reclaiming this area as well as encouraging local ownership of the building".

"There's also little real opportunity these days for young and old to mix in the way that might have done in the past. As a result, problems arise from a lack of understanding and awareness. This project would get these groups back together and improve community relations locally. I'll be backing this idea".