Major Regeneration Plans For Huddersfield Town Centre
The final planning applications for a radical transformation of Huddersfield town centre have been submitted to Kirklees Council, Building magazine reports. The project is known as the ‘Cultural Heart’, and will see several existing buildings demolished to make way for new cultural, leisure, and shopping facilities.
Some existing buildings, including the historic library and the Queensgate Market building, will be repurposed rather than demolished. However, the Piazza Shopping Centre will be fully demolished to make way for a new park and multi-purpose events venue, should the plans be approved.
Heritage groups, including the Twentieth Century Society, had objected to the initial plans which would have seen part of the Grade II listed market hall demolished, and they are still unhappy about the demolition of the Plaza Shopping Centre, which they consider should be protected by a heritage listing.
Overall, the ambitious scheme will introduce an extra 2.2 hectares of public space to the town, including several open green areas. The current library is to be converted into a museum, and a new library and art gallery will be included in the new development.
Councillor Graham Turner, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “This is an important milestone for Huddersfield and the wider Kirklees district. A huge amount of work has gone into getting us to this stage, and we look forward to people viewing the final plans and designs.”
“We are extremely confident in our business case for the project and would like to thank all members of the project team for their support and expertise, and of course the public for their significant contribution to the design process. It was great to see the positive feedback we received during public consultation.”
“This is a game-changing scheme that will provide a huge boost to our region and local economy, giving people many more reasons to visit and stay in our centre. The Cultural Heart will be a destination for people of all ages and demographics, and something for us all to be proud of as locals.”
If the plans are approved by the council, work could begin by the end of next year, according to Yorkshire Live. There have been extensive public consultations carried out during the planning phase, with approval ratings of between 62 and 75%.
Meanwhile, the West Yorkshire town of Brighouse is also set for an extensive regeneration scheme, as a £19m proposal was approved by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, which is providing funding as part of the government’s leveling up agenda to close the prosperity gap between the north and south.
The scheme consists of five separate plans that have been designed to make the former mill town a more appealing destination for tourists and shoppers. There will also be a new high-tech industry hub to attract more new businesses to the area. Work will start next year, provided the next more detailed stage of the plans is approved.
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