Plans to relocate historic Oakenshaw Cross to be decided later this month
The Grade II Listed cross, which was originally put up in 1702, has been in storage after being repeatedly damaged
Plans to reinstate the historic Oakenshaw Cross in a new location are due to be determined later this month.
The Grade II Listed cross, which was originally erected in 1702 by Dr Richard Richardson, was formerly located at the junction of Wyke Lane, Cross Street, and Sykes Lane in Oakenshaw. But repeated damage in recent years led to its removal.
The cross was impacted in several incidents including a strike by an articulated lorry in May 2021, and another by a HGV in February 2022 which caused “considerable damage” and created a risk for road users. The council says that following these collisions, assessments concluded that the cross could not be safely repaired in situ.
As a result, the local authority opted to remove the monument and place it in secure storage where it has remained ever since. Over the years the community has fought to try and get the cross repaired and reinstated in its original position.
Now, the council has submitted plans seeking retrospective consent for the removal of the cross and planning permission and listed building consent to reinstate it in a new location. The local authority wants to site the cross on a grassy verge on Cross Street, which sits around 20 metres to the north/north-west of its original location.
Supporting documents say that the cross’ original location was given first preference but studies showed that this would pose a risk to the long-term conservation of the cross and cause “unacceptable” highways safety risks. It is envisaged that the verge would act as a new “pocket park”, allowing for close interaction with the cross.
Opinion on the new location has been divided, though primarily negative, considering the six comments on the council’s planning portal. One comment is in support, four in objection and one, more general.
The supporting comment reads: “Absolutely fantastic location for it, would be wonderful to then have a board nearby with its historical information too and perhaps a reference to the original location.”
One objector said: “I want to see the monument reinstated in its original place on Wyke Lane/Cross Street/Sykes Lane. The issue is not the monument but the wagons/trucks who use the road irresponsibly. The farm traffic and bin wagon manage to negotiate the current bollards and have never had issues before the monument was removed.
“As a resident who lives next to the site, Kirklees Council needs to put it back in its original place and a one way traffic system implemented around it. Traffic up Wyke Lane from Bradford Road and traffic coming down Wyke Lane needs to turn left down Cross Street one way and the path widening outside the corner house to the monument to avoid traffic being allowed down Wyke Lane.
“The grass suggested for the installation of the cross needs to be changed to parking spaces for the Cross Street residents.”
A supporting document on behalf of the council concludes: “The proposed development has taken a considered view on the constraints and opportunities of the site, whilst seeking to provide a suitable long-term location for reinstatement of a designated heritage asset. A sensitively-designed scheme has been created to address the need to reinstate the cross and to conserve and enhance it, in line with the National Planning Policy Framework.”
A target date for a decision to be made on the plans has been set for Tuesday (January 20).