Phase one of the scheme is already well underway, however funding for the next stage could be approved at the council’s meeting next week.
Kirklees Council are currently working to upgrade Huddersfield’s town centre one step at a time. The plans are otherwise known as ‘Our Cultural Heart’.
Currently, phase one of the scheme is underway which will see the old Queensgate market reinvigorated as a community hub and leisure space with a library, food hall and a new public square.
However, earlier this year the council outlined their plans for phase two of this project which include ambitions plans to convert the derelict four-storey former library into a museum and art gallery with a 50-seat café and outdoor terrace.
What’s more, the plans include a sympathetic new extension which will improve accessibility, and better connect the building with the outdoor space.
To achieve this, planning officers are asking the council’s cabinet to release £5.413million from the overall project budget so they can recruit a contractor for the project and start on designs.
The decision about the funding will be revealed at the council’s next meeting which is due to take place on 21st January.
In addition to the Phase 2 funding, £250k is also being requested for work to commence on the programme’s master plan. This document aims to dive into plans for later stages of the development and investigate how the council can complete delivery without additional capital borrowing.
Councillor Graham Turner, cabinet member for regeneration said: ‘Our Cultural Heart is our most ambitious regeneration programme, when completed it will bring a new, community-centred arts and leisure offer to the town, providing cultural activities to enjoy during the day and into the evening.
‘It will play a significant role in making Huddersfield a family-friendly, prosperous town centre which provides exciting places to live, work or visit.’
‘As with all large regeneration schemes there are hurdles to jump and challenges to overcome, a worldwide pandemic and wars in other countries have of course made things even more complex,’ he continued. ‘This has meant we’ve had to continually assess our finances and prioritise spend that will lead to the successful delivery of the first phases of the scheme, whilst still allowing for exciting new developments in the future.’
He added: ‘Releasing the funds demonstrates our commitment to delivering something everyone can be proud of and doing that in a way that delivers real changes on the ground in the next few years.’
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