Author: Barnsley Civic Trust

Local Listing heritage project

Do you know of important and cherished buildings, monuments and structures in Barnsley that are not protected?

‘Local Listing’ can help give them some protection against demolition, removal or harmful modification. [Only those of national significance can have statutory listed building status.]

There’s a talk on 1st December to tell us about how we can protect Barnsley’s heritage through ‘Local Listing’.

It’s by Sarah Cattell from South Yorkshire Archaeological Service; Sarah is leading the South Yorkshire Heritage Listing Project.

The project is anxious to use the local knowledge of societies like the BCT to identify the buildings and built structures that we think ought to be listed.

All are welcome whether or not you are BCT members. The talk is at 7.00pm on Wednesday 1st December at the Masonic Hall in Cockerham Lane, off Huddersfield Road, Barnsley S75 1AT.

Barnsley Civic Trust -up and running

BCT is up and running again after its AGM on October 7th, the first since 2019. A new Executive Committee was elected with John Love as the new Chair and Allen Parks as secretary. The other members are Phyllis Barnes, Rebecca Battye, Linda Burgess, Bill Gaunt and Peter Roberts.

We have now had our first committee meeting with lots to discuss. We will be letting you know shortly our programme for the coming period.

This will include blue plaques, commenting on the design of proposed development and planning proposals, a programme of talks and supporting groups and campaigns to improve Barnsley. Our popular Shop Awards is also on our agenda.

We also want to hear what you think we should have in our programme for the coming year. What would interest you?

Eldon Street HAZ presentation

Our first presentation in 2021 was a presentation by Tegwen Roberts on the Eldon Street Heritage Action Zone project. This is hoped to have a major impact on Eldon Street and its surroundings including The Civic. Well worth hearing more about! Especially for those of us interested in Barnsley’s heritage and the renewal of our high streets.

Barnsley Civic Trust meeting again

We are pleased to be able to let you know that Barnsley Civic Trust AGM will be held at 7.00pm on Thursday 7th October at the Masonic Hall in Cockerham Lane off Huddersfield Road.

As you know we were unable to hold an AGM in 2020 because of the Covid situation and business was suspended during that period. We now intend to get Barnsley Civic Trust up and running again.

Barnsley Civic Trust’s priority is doing what it can to bring the town back to being a lively, prosperous and attractive place for the whole community.

The main part of the annual general meeting will be a presentation by Tegwen Roberts on the Eldon Street Heritage Action Zone project. This is intended to have a major impact on Eldon Street and its surroundings including The Civic.

Barnsley Civic Trust in 2021

Twelve months ago, in March 2020, just before the first lockdown, Barnsley Civic Trust held a well-attended event on The Hidden Art of Barnsley, one of a programme of events in 2019 and the beginning of 2020.

Since that time BCT has not been able to operate; there have been no meetings although posts have continued on Facebook and Twitter, and the website has been revamped

As we near a return to a new normality, it is clear that Barnsley has suffered tremendously and there has never been such a need for people to actively care about the recovery of the centre – its shops, leisure facilities, businesses, public spaces, heritage and the environment.

Barnsley Civic Trust aims to make this its priority by undertaking activities to do what it can to bring the town back to being a lively, prosperous and attractive place for the whole community.

Barnsley Civic Trust is a small group but one which can exert influence to engender a pride in our town and is a primary voice on civic issues. To do this it needs the support of its membership and supporters.

If you are a recent member please reply to the email you have been sent asking you to confirm your intention to continue supporting Barnsley Civic Trust

If you might be interested in supporting Barnsley Civic Trust and perhaps becoming a member, please get in touch for further information.

Elsecar Heritage Action Zone and Local List

Elsecar. The three year Elsecar Heritage Action Zone has ended with a number of successes. It was a three-year programme (2017-2020) resourced and supported by Historic England working with Barnsley Council and the local community.

Barnsley Civic Trust welcomes the adoption by Barnsley Council of both a Supplementary Planning Document of Best Practice – Design and Maintenance for Elsecar Conservation Area and a Local List of Buildings in Elsecar.

A Local List is useful way of ensuring planning proposals respect the special local interest of buildings, structures or sites on the local list and ensures this is taken into account during the planning process.Buildings, structures or sites are selected for inclusion on the local list based on their relative age, degree of survival, rarity, architectural and historical importance, social and community value and group and townscape merit. It’s good that the Local List approach is intended to be extended across Barnsley.

Westfield House …

Westfield House. Although work to renovate Westfield House and bring it back into use had started, it had stalled and a new planning application was submitted. It is great to hear that a changed planning application has been approved (19 May) and that work can begin again. There had been some concern in the community, however, following discussions with the council, the applicant amended the proposed development to remove all elements of care and to apply for standard residential units.

The position due to Covid-19

Barnsley Civic Trust has suspended its schedule of committee and other meetings as a result of the escalation in the Covid-19 virus situation and the strengthened advice from central government.

We will stay in touch online and continue to comment on local issues and developments and plan for future activities.

Helping and supporting each other at this difficult time is really important. We look forward to the time when the emergency has passed.

Information will be made available on our website and via social media, as well as by email to our members.