Details unveiled for £210m town centre transformation project

£210m plans to create a “Cultural Heart” in Huddersfield town centre are continuing to take shape with new information revealed on how the scheme will look.

Kirklees Council’s Scrutiny Panel is being updated on the progress of the Cultural Heart scheme next week (3 March) and will be shown the latest designs for the project.

The Cultural Heart is Kirklees Council’s plan to adapt to town centres being different in the future with more of a focus on culture, leisure, greater accessibility and more green and open spaces with flexible uses.

It will be built around Queensgate Market and the existing library and art gallery buildings, with the Piazza Shopping Centre proposed to be demolished.

Proposals include:

• a new events/live music venue
• food hall
• museum and art gallery
• new library
• multi-storey car park

These will all be centred around a new Town Park.

As part of an update presentation being delivered to Scrutiny Panel, an artist’s impressions reveal where on the site each building and use will be located.

These plans will be subject to change and development as the scheme continues to go through a briefing, design, consultation, and feasibility process.

• The event space is proposed to accommodate up to 2,200 people
• The museum and art gallery could be located within the existing library building. An extension could provide additional gallery space.
• A new Town Park will include outdoor events space for around 3,000 people, and will link all of the elements together. The space will provide a green, family friendly space for residents and visitors.
• The multi-storey car park will include electric vehicle charging points.

Councillor Peter McBride, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We’re now really speeding up the delivery of our exciting Cultural Heart plans with our engineers and architects appointed.

“These new visuals of the scheme, although subject to change along the design phase, really start to bring our visions to life.

“We want to continue to keep everyone updated as the vision continues to take shape as we know how excited people across Kirklees are. We’re now working towards July where we will be presenting something more detailed to Cabinet for approval.”

Architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and engineers Arup, were appointed in October 2021 to help deliver the Cultural Heart scheme.

An outline business case is being developed for the project and will be presented to Cabinet for approval in July 2022.