Estate Buildings - Disposal for Residential Development

Type of impact: Neutral

The conversion of the Estate Buildings in Huddersfield to residential use is designed to benefit the entire community, including people of different races and ethnic backgrounds

Type of impact: Neutral

Whilst new housing can often be designed to be accessible and have a positive impact for disabled individuals, the physical constraints of the building and in particular its heritage nature means it is unlikely as accessible as a new build homes on a greenfield site. However, consideration will be given to disabled individuals in the design process and the IIA will be updated accordingly once the designs are more developed.

Type of impact: Neutral

Whilst the development is intended to benefit the whole community, it will have no particular impact on gender reassignment.

Type of impact: Neutral

Whilst the development is intended to benefit the whole community, it will have no particular impact on people from the Gypsy, Roma or Traveller communities.

Type of impact: Neutral

Whilst the development is intended to benefit the whole community, there should not be any particular impact on the basis of sex

Type of impact: Neutral

It is uncertain at this point whether any of the units will be affordable housing due to the high development costs and significantly viability challenges associated with the conversion of a listed building of this nature.

If there are affordable units then the project will have a positive impact on people with low incomes. Otherwise the benefits to people in poverty will be through growing the local economy, and regenerating the town centre.

The IIA will be updated once a final tenure mix for the scheme has been agreed.

Type of impact: Neutral

Whilst the development is intended to benefit the whole community, it will have no particular impact on people who are married or in a civil partnership.

Type of impact: Neutral

Whilst the development is intended to benefit the whole community, it will have no particular impact on sexual orientation

Type of impact: Neutral

Whilst the development is intended to benefit the whole community, it will have no particular impact on pregnancy and maternity

Type of impact: Neutral

Whilst the development is intended to benefit the whole community, it is not designed specifically to have a particular impact on members of the armed forces community.

Some types of affordable housing are allocated by a process which gives individuals who have served in the armed forces and/or their spouses or partners have a priority when applying/bidding. Once the final tenure of the scheme is agreed, the IIA will be updated to reflect whether there will be any properties that members of the armed forces have particularly benefit from.

Type of impact: Neutral

Whilst the development is intended to benefit the whole community, it will have no particular impact on religion or belief.

Type of impact: Neutral

Whilst the development is intended to benefit the whole community, it will have no particular impact on unpaid carers.

Type of impact: Neutral

Ultimately, it will be the developer that is responsible for community consultation, with the Council’s oversight and project management.

However, the Council will be clear in our communication with residents, local organisations, and community groups if questions about the development arise.

We will ensure that information about the project is easily accessible through a variety of channels. This could include social media, physical letters, or posters to advertise community consultation events. In addition, we will provide clear signposting to where more information about the proposal can be found. These steps will minimise the time needed for clarification questions by setting out information clearly and simply to ensure clarification is not needed.

Ultimately, it will be the developer that is responsible for community consultation, with the Council’s oversight and project management.

However, the Council will be clear in our communication with residents, local organisations, and community groups if questions about the development arise.

We will ensure that information about the project is easily accessible through a variety of channels. This could include social media, physical letters, or posters to advertise community consultation events. In addition, we will provide clear signposting to where more information about the proposal can be found. These steps will minimise the time needed for clarification questions by setting out information clearly and simply to ensure clarification is not needed.

Type of impact: Neutral

As is already done for other housing development projects, information will be provided at community consultation and planning application stage in an easily accessible manner, so officers and developers can signpost those with questions to further in-depth information at the first instance.

By having consideration to the timing of press releases and other communication methods, through various channels including the intranet, cabinet reports and Kirklees Together, the aim is that Council staff will be well informed and able to answer any queries the public may have. However, it may be that more complex issues are passed on to a member of the project team.

Level of impact: Low

Type of impact: Positive

Whilst having limited positive impact on biodiversity in itself, the project involves the reuse of an existing building for housing, which will have positive effects on the local environment as it avoids the use of greenfield land that is of ecological value.

Does this proposal include changes to a location within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), local wildlife sites or green belt: No

Will the proposal be impacted by climate change: Yes

- The design will give due consideration to adequate and efficient drainage systems.
- The repairs and building works will ensure the building is wind and water tight.
- Consideration will also be given to adequate ventilation to mitigate against damp and mould, and dry rot. 
- The design will take into account sustainability goals, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency as far as possible within the constraints of the building.

These will be taken into consideration as part of the land sale process.  

- The design will give due consideration to adequate and efficient drainage systems.
- The repairs and building works will ensure the building is wind and water tight.
- Consideration will also be given to adequate ventilation to mitigate against damp and mould, and dry rot. 
- The design will take into account sustainability goals, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency as far as possible within the constraints of the building.

These will be taken into consideration as part of the land sale process.  

Level of impact: High

Type of impact: Positive

The conversion to residential apartments will help preserve the Estate Building's heritage whilst also giving it a new purpose in helping to meet modern local housing need. The project involves extensive restoration work to repair and maintain the building’s historic features. This includes preserving the architectural details that make the Estates Building unique. By converting the vacant building into apartments, it allows for ‘adaptive reuse’ which will allow the historical significance of the building to be retained, taking a sustainable approach to conservation. 
 
Crucially, residential conversion makes the building economically viable. This allows for the financial sustainability necessary for ongoing maintenance and preservation efforts. Ensuring the building is occupied in the future will safeguard against the kind of neglect that can lead to significant structural issues.  
 
By bringing people to live in the building, we will foster a sense of community and appreciation for the town’s heritage and reintegrate the building into the daily life of the Town. 

Type of impact: Neutral

The development is likely to have some impact on greenhouse gas emissions, primarily during the construction phase. This includes emissions from the extraction and transportation of building materials, as well as the construction activities themselves.

However, the conversion of Estate Buildings will bring a currently vacant building back into active use. Reuse of existing assets on brownfield land to facilitate housing growth is significantly more environmentally sustainable than new build development, by reusing existing materials, maximising land efficiency and alleviating urban sprawl.

Due to its location, Estate Buildings will create a sustainable community where residents will be within walking distance of town centre facilities and well-connected to employment opportunities via the train and bus, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with private vehicle use.

Once the project is completed, the operational phase of the residential buildings can be designed to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. This can be achieved through energy-efficient building designs, improved insulation, and consideration of renewable energy sources.

Type of impact: Neutral

Whilst there is the potential for an increase in light pollution due to construction activities, these impacts can be managed with proper lighting controls and scheduling to minimise disturbances. Once the project is completed, residential use is expected to typically generate less light pollution compared to other uses such as commercial. The design of the residential units will consider measures to minimise light spill and ensure that outdoor lighting is directed appropriately.

These details will be agreed as part of the planning process and the IIA will be updated accordingly once the designs are approved.

Type of impact: Neutral

Noise pollution is expected during the construction activities. However, these impacts can be managed with proper noise control measures, such as limiting working hours.

Once the project is completed, the residential use of the buildings is not expected to significantly increase noise pollution and the residential use is likely to generate less noise compared to some other uses such as commercial.

A Noise Impact Assessment will be submitted as part of the planning process and the IIA will be updated accordingly once the designs are approved.

Type of impact: Neutral

Once the project is completed, the new residential units will contribute to the overall household waste. However, the Council already has established recycling programs and facilities in place to handle residential waste efficiently and the addition of new homes is unlikely to significantly alter these rates

To what extent was reducing the amount of waste created in the first place been considered: To some extent

Details, information or evidence in relation to waste reduction: By converting the existing building, rather than a full demolition, this reduces the amount of potential waste. Linked to the heritage value of the building, many existing fixtures and fittings will be retained. The Council will ensure that proper waste management practices will be implemented during the construction phase to minimise environmental impact. At the design stage, consideration will be given to ensuring the building will be as energy and resource efficient as possible. The IIA will be updated once these details have been refined by the development partner.

Type of impact: Neutral

During the construction phase, there could potentially be temporary impacts on water quality due to runoff and potential contamination from construction materials, however this will be mitigated with proper site management and environmental safeguards by the contractor. Once the project is completed, the operational phase is not expected to significantly affect water quality, especially if sustainable practices are maintained.

Does this proposal involve the installation or use of a private water supply: No

Level of impact: Low

Type of impact: Negative

The expected impacts of climate change, as well as population and household growth, will make water stress an increasing problem for the UK. The Water Act (2003) requires local authorities to “take into account the desirability of conserving water”. Water quality can be affected by human activity such as fertiliser runoff, chemical pollution, microplastics and litter entering the watercourses.