By KLTV Newsdesk –
Kirklees Council have reached a significant milestone signalling an important next step in regenerating the heart of Cleckheaton – It has been announced
The council says they are drawing up ‘exciting’ plans and asking local people to share their ideas to help shape the town’s future.
The ‘Our Local Centres’ programme aims to provide support and investment to Cleckheaton and to other towns across the district, ensuring that Kirklees has vibrant centres, sustainable well-connected communities, and healthy, happy residents.
The programme has begun focusing on Cleckheaton and three other centres: Batley, Holmfirth and Heckmondwike.
The council says these towns provide a convenient next stage as they are the next largest and most important centres defined by work undertaken as part of the Local Plan.
The ‘master planning’ process will identify projects to be delivered in the heart of Cleckheaton town centre over the next 10-15 years.
So local people’s views are needed as it is a place where they live, work, shop and visit.
What is the Master Plan?
The master plan follows several months of engagement with the local people and businesses of Cleckheaton to capture views on what people currently think about their town.
Further site visits, research, public consultation, ward councillor input, information from the community and local knowledge have input into the draft master plan.
The aim is to highlight some fantastic potential projects that will build on and enhance Cleckheaton.
Projects identified in the draft master plan include improvements to:
- Savoy Square and the Market
- Investment at Spen Bottoms
- Better links with the Greenway
- A bigger town square and space for the creative industries to thrive.
Once agreed upon later this year, the master plan will be the basis for future investment.
There is currently £1.5 million in the first stage of funding to deliver some work. Future funding will be secured for the agreed master plan projects.
‘Rapid Change’
Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of the Council, said: “Towns are undergoing rapid change, whilst persistent challenges such as peoples shopping habits, and out of town shopping more recently to online shopping put many communities under pressure.
“This programme presents new and exciting opportunities for the community of Cleckheaton, and its businesses.
“It is about giving villages the tools to address their own challenges, while also contributing to the bigger challenges facing society as a whole.”
‘Ambitious’
Councillor Graham Turner, Portfolio Holder for Town Centres, said: “The Our Local Centres project is an ambitious and carefully crafted proposal that expresses our confidence in these town centres.
“These changes will allow the towns to deliver a thriving, successful and attractive heart to Cleckheaton. Which will serve the needs of local people and businesses for decades to come.
“I would encourage residents to get involved in the consultation and help us shape their town centre”
Key Dates
The survey can be accessed online via Virtual engage
There will also be opportunities to speak to council officers to understand more about the master plan at our face-to-face events:
- Saturday 2 July, 11 am to 2 pm, St Johns Car Park, Cleckheaton
- Tuesday 5 July 6 pm to 8 pm, Cleckheaton Town Hall
- Tuesday 12 July 10 am to 2 pm Cleckheaton Market
- Friday 15 July 10 am to 2 pm Cleckheaton Library
You can learn more about the initiative on the ‘Our Local Centres’ page.