Wakefield towns regeneration plans move forward

Plans to ensure towns in the Wakefield district will benefit from a share of a £10m town centre improvement fund are moving forward, with a number of projects underway.

Wakefield Council’s Town Centres Regeneration Fund aims to revitalise and repurpose town centres across the area, with the first phase focused on developing an action plan for South Kirby, Moorthorpe and South Elmsall.

Projects that will take place over the next three years in South Elmsall include improvements to public spaces, a new shop front grant scheme and replacing old and damaged bins in public places, with new cycle stands already installed alongside a dropped kerb.

There are also plans for significant investment in Normanton and South Elmsall markets next year, adding shutters to market stalls, rebuilding certain areas and opening the space up to make it more welcoming, with more greenery, benches and planting.

Cllr Denise Jeffery, leader of Wakefield Council, said: ‘The first phase of our £10m investment is in the south –east and other towns will follow. Our overall plan is to support our towns to remain vibrant places where people want to live, work and visit.

‘We have great communities across our district, and by making this investment we can help future-proof our towns centres, to benefit residents by improving places for people to shop and socialise locally. We also want to help attract investment and visitors, which will support our district’s economy, with the potential to create new jobs too, as we continue our recovery from the global pandemic.’

Regular meetings are being held with the South Elmsall, South kirby and Moorthorpe ward members to ensure the projects and action plan are reflective of what people want to see in the local areas.

Other projects include repairing and installing new benches across a number of locations, improving Northfield play area and installing lamppost hanging basket fixtures for the towns.

The government announced earlier this year that it had chosen to invest in Wakefield City Centre and Castleford town centre through the Towns Fund.

In related news, Aiming to kickstart the rejuvenation of Holes Bay and the wider Poole area, BCP Council’s Cabinet will consider investing in a major housing and regeneration scheme in Carters Quay today.

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