A Sustainable Vision for Todmorden Leeds Metropolitan University : Sustainable communities Todmorden andy jones, Ben Singer, Faye Walton Contents 6.0 6.0 Anti-social Behaviour and Crime 1.0 1.0 Introduction 6.1 Tourism 1.1 Todmorden 6.2 Leisure and Recreation 1.2 Todmorden: Demographics 6.3 Environment 6.4 Economy and Business 6.5 Transport 2.0 2.0 Local history 6.6 Housing 2.1 Local History: Historic Maps 2.2 Local History: Signifi cant Buildings 7.0 7.0 Sites for Sustainable Opportunities 7.1 Bramsche Square 3.0 Policy Context 3.0 7.2 Halifax Road Gateway Business Park 7.3 Burnley Road 7.4 Additional Ideas for the Future 4.0 4.0 Community Involvement 8.0 8.0 Governance and Funding 5.0 A Sustainable Approach 5.0 9.0 9.0 A day in the life of Jack Jarman A Sustainable Vision for Todmorden 1.0 Introduction The Purpose of the Document The aim of this vision is to provide Todmorden with a guide to the future development and enhancement of the town. We aim to promote a sustainable vision for Todmorden The completion of this document will provide a sustainable vision for Todmorden which will infl uence future land use within the town and highlight a number of key proposals to tackle the important issues or problems by enhancing the areas existing natural and built assets. identifi able within the town today. The vision will establish a framework to transform Todmorden into a vibrant and creative ‘sustainable community’, one which is “safe, inclusive, well planned, built and run and offer[s] equality of opportunity and good services for all” (Mcdonald et al., 2009, 49). The vision has been developed in line with the objectives or themes outlined within the wider visions for both Todmorden and the Calderdale region, and by considering other relevant national planning and regeneration policies or guidance. Where possible, the results of any community consultation or engagement conducted will also be used to infl uence the development of the vision to ensure that its proposals refl ect the priorities of local people. This ensures that the plans for Todmorden are developed by, and for the benefi t of, the local community. Key Questions: • What is the current image of Todmorden? • What problems or challenges can be identifi ed within the town today? • How can we build on the success of community-based initiatives such as ‘Incredible Edible Todmorden’ to help achieve the targets outlined within this document? • How can new, modern forms of employment opportunities be created within Todmorden? • Where and how can new, affordable housing be built in Todmorden and how can the current housing stock be maintained to a high standard? • How is the management of Transport in Todmorden? • How can visitors be attracted to Todmorden? 1 A Sustainable Vision for Todmorden 1.1 Todmorden Todmorden is a market town which is affectionately know by its residents as ‘Tod’. Todmorden offers an exciting mix of cultural attractions, such as a bustling market, a popular art gallery, Centre Vale Park, areas of historical interest and the Hipperdrome Theatre. Todmorden also provides visitors with the chance to enjoy the surrounding moorlands for fantastic walks and cycling opportunities. Where is Todmorden? Todmorden is located within the Calder Valley at the far west of the county of West Yorkshire and is close to a number of large thriving towns and cities, including Manchester (24 miles), Leeds (33 miles), Bradford (21 miles), Halifax (19 miles) and Rochdale and Burnley (9 miles). Todmorden is served by good transport links to Leeds and Manchester, which are both within easy reach by car (1 hour) or rail (1 hour and 35 minutes respectively). 2 A Sustainable Vision for Todmorden 1.1 Todmorden Todmorden lies within three steep sided valleys in the Pennines, which gives the town its distinctive shape. It is famous for its surrounding moorlands and also for its historic boundary between Yorkshire and Lancashire, which was marked by the River Calder and the Walsden Water which runs through the centre of the town. The administrative border, which previously divided the town between Yorkshire and Lancashire, was altered by the Local Government Act 1888,ensuring that the entirety of Todmorden now lies within West Yorkshire. 3 A Sustainable Vision for Todmorden 1.2 Todmorden: Demographics Todmorden Profi le: An Interview with Jack Jarman • The area has 2.9 people per square kilometre; Occupation: Landscape Artist, member of Todmorden Art • Population: 14,941; • Median age: 39; Group • % Retirees: 20.56%; Location: Todmorden Art Gallery, Todmorden Train Station. • % Unemployed: 3.72%; • % Educated to a degree level: 19.99%; The Todmorden Art Group have established a free gallery at • Full time students: 414; the Train Station which is rented from the Northern Rail group, • Total migrants: 11.82%; • Average distance (km) travelled to fi xed place of work:14.15; with 11 work spaces. These spaces were used by the Railway • 28.9% of population is single. Museum before being used by Todmorden Art. Jack describes the original site as being ‘’full of winos’’, although it is no longer OL14 (2001 Census) 2011 considered a social issue. The main community group for Todmorden is Todmorden Pride, established in January 1998, Jack kindly offered a number of opinions on Todmorden which he sees as being particularly which operates as a voluntary group and includes a diverse range of representatives drawn from important to the vitality of the town. all sectors of the community. The main objectives of the group are to facilitate a sustainable future for Todmorden, with this being achieved through exploiting its architectural heritage and Firstly, he wanted to highlight the connection between Todmorden’s future and its past, noting environmental advantages. John Fielding, an industrialist and philanthropist, as a key person that enabled Todmorden to become the community it is today. There are 24 members representing each of its partner groups: Jack also noted the excellent rail connectivity between Todmorden and other local towns, but • Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (3 members) did suggest that the link to Burnley was currently poor. He also recalled the former ‘‘Blackpool • Todmorden Town Council (2 members) Bell’ service as excellent. • Todmorden Business Association (1 member) • Local Business (2 members) In addition, Jack stated a number of characteristics about Todmorden that were appreciated by • Art, Culture & Tourism (2 members) the local community: • Community Organisations (2 members) • Young People’s Groups or Schools (2 members) • A busy, bustling environment; • Environmental Groups (2 members) • Only 5 minutes walk from the countryside; • Sporting Organisations (2 members) • An artists paradise; • Co-opted members (6 members) • Wonderful architecture; Another prime example of a strong, nonprofi t community organisation is Incredible Edible, whose • A lot of ramblers come to the town; and success is now infamous, and continues to inspire innovative responses to local ‘green’ issues. • Its proximity to Hebden Bridge. The most recent census, completed in 2001, identifi ed that the number of people living within the The closing of the Hipperdome Theatre, however, did disappoint Jack, especially the famous Todmorden ward was 10285. A general pattern of outward migration can be identifi ed within the seats, named the ’Lovers Seats’. He also notes a dislike of the wind farms, especially the car ward, as the total number of people living in Todmorden has declined since the previous census park that has been built to accommodate traffi c to and from the site. in 1991. 95% of the population living within the ward identifi ed that they were white British or ‘white other’, compared to 93% within the Calderdale region and 90% nationally. The Todmorden To Jack, Todmorden is ‘going over the top with Heritage’, he recalls being able to “put his hand ward has a similar age profi le to the Calderdale region although the proportion of younger people in the crack” of a particular old building and suggested that this was not contributing to the living in Todmorden has decreased generally since 2001. image of the town. 4 A Sustainable Vision for Todmorden 2.0 Local History Todmorden’s earliest written record is shown in the Domesday Book in 1086, where it was shown to be on the boundary of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Todmorden was part of the Huddersfi eld township until the 1660's when it became a separate town. Todmorden is a market town and civil parish. The population of the borough of Todmorden Municipal Borough in 1901 was over 25,000, which declined in the 20th century to just under 15,000 in the 2001 census. Boundary deformation The boundary between Yorkshire and Lancashire formerly ran through the centre of Todmorden but the town is now offi cially part of West Yorkshire. The border was altered by the Local Government Act in 1888. Early History In the Middle Ages, Todmorden estates were built in the 13th century by two lords, Saviles of Thornhill and the Radcliffe family of Todmorden Hall. One of the most famous buildings from this era is the Todmorden Old Hall. Blackheath Barrow, Todmorden's Ancient Circle The Ancient Circle is a henge earth circle measuring 100ft, previously known as the Roman Barrow. Excavations in 1898 showed it to be Bronze Age. 19th Century The arrival of the railway changed Todmorden from a Rural Town into a Industrial Town. Todmorden grew at a fast rate during this time, developing as a prosperous Victorian Mill town and becoming a borough in 1886. 20th Century Todmorden's economy declined from the end of the First World War and then accelerated after the Second World War until the 1970's.