First project within £250m town re-development will be 134-bed student scheme
A development firm is to move forward with the first project within Kirklees Council’s £250m regeneration plan, which was revealed earlier this month, with the transformation of a derelict building into accommodation in the heart of the town centre.
The Co-op building at 103 New Street has had incarnations as a department store and most recently as a nightclub, which closed its doors for the last time some 20 years ago. SKA Developments, one of the preeminent developers in Kirklees, are now set to completely transform the building, adding three floors and creating a 134-bed scheme which will provide much needed quality student accommodation.
The council has agreed a significant loan to SKA Developments to bring the long-derelict listed building, which occupies a prominent location in the town, back to life. The project builds on SKA Developments reputation for refurbishing landmark building to a high-standard, particularly in the student accommodation sector.
Zeb Pervaiz, Director of SKA Developments said: “This project represents an extremely important chapter in the redevelopment of the town centre and it’s something we’re very excited to be leading. Our plans will transform the site into a spectacular development and bring a long-vacant building back into use, helping to create a vibrant town centre.
“The scale and ambition of our plans is testament to our passion for developing quality sites, and we’re delighted to be playing such an important role in Kirklees Council’s wider vision. This scheme, along with our plans for the Greater Waterfront Quarter, show our ambition as a developer and represent the next phase in the growth of our business. We’re currently exploring additional opportunities around the UK, including in South Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland. SKA’s reputation for delivering quality schemes with trusted partners, is something we’re very proud of and proud to be expanding to new areas.”
Cllr Peter Mcbride, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “The redevelopment of this historic building is fantastic news. The site is situated at a key gateway to the city, benefitting from its location close to main arterial routes, just minutes from the railway station and close to the town’s world-class education facilities. SKA Developments have already proven themselves as a business that’s committed to Kirklees and we’re in full support of this important landmark scheme.”
The council granted SKA Developments planning permission in April 2018 to renovate the building and to add a contemporary extension to the existing roof. The scheme is for student accommodation comprising 134 beds – these will be a mix of en-suite studios, clusters of rooms with communal facilities, and 1 and 2 bed apartments across 7 floors. Works to clear the interior were undertaken late in 2018 and construction is now set to commence in the coming weeks.
In July 2019, Kirklees Council unveiled a blueprint for the town centre, showcasing sites earmarked for development contributing to the wider economic prosperity of the region.
