English Heritage criticises Haworth's cluttered streets and 'too modern' shop fronts (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

English Heritage criticises Haworth's cluttered streets and 'too modern' shop fronts

10:30am Thursday 8th July 2010 in

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The best-known village in Yorkshire is “on the slide” a heritage boss said as he toured Haworth.

Trevor Mitchell, regional director of English Heritage, visited Haworth prior to the release of his organisation’s Heritage at Risk register.

He said it would not be recognised by the Bronte family.

Mr Mitchell pointed out the street clutter, especially signage, “too modern” shop fronts and the state of the setts, which Bradford Council is to repair at a cost of £600,000 over the next three years.

“This is the shop window for the whole of Yorkshire,” he said. “Hundreds of thousands of people come here and it ought to be a world-class experience but people don’t get that.

“There is a lack of a shared vision. We are worried and Bradford Council is worried that the quality of the best-known village in Yorkshire is on the slide.”

He hoped to encourage shopkeepers and homeowners to pay attention to the heritage needs of the village which would bring economic benefits in the long run.

It was hoped to draw up plans and images of what the village should look like.

He was accompanied by Christine Kerrin, City Hall’s team leader for design and conservation, and John Hogg, the Council’s design and countryside manager.

Miss Kerrin said some changes had not been for the best. “Some window details are incorrect and the cumulative effect of signage and boards is not in character,” she said. “Haworth has a wonderful image, it’s an historic place but that character is not there in all places because of poor decision- making.”

WHAT YOU THINK

Tourists

• Joan Gornall is a regular visitor from Preston, Lancashire. She said: “The clutter is part of the charm. You go to a town centre if you just want normal high street shops.” But she was not impressed by some of the newer shop signs. “Planners should take that into account when they open a new shop. I think there should be restrictions on how they look,” she said.
• Marilyn Zetsche was visiting from the Lake District with husband Patrick. “I think the clutter adds to the character, it’s always been quirky. We used to come a lot when the children were little,” she said. “It’s nice to have things outside the shops. But I think the shop fronts should be kept in the tradition of Haworth.”
• Christine Chichester, from Cardiff, Wales, first saw the main street when her coach travelled down the cobbles. She said: “It’s very quaint, the shops are really nice. What we have seen is pretty, it’s almost olde worlde.”

Traders

• Linda Presley, a member of Haworth Village Association who has run her Main Street shop, Chocolate Box, for eight years questioned what was at risk. “I don’t know many shop fronts that have changed,” she said. “These buildings are listed so we need planning permission. We are even restricted to the colour of paints we can use. The front of this shop is more or less the same as it was in 1854 when it was built.”
• Stan Ledgard, who has run Spooks on the other side of the street for 30 years, agreed Haworth was at risk. “There are shop signs particularly that are out of character,” he said. “The problem is, there are rules but they’re not enforced.”