Town centre transformation plan set to be approved

Proposals to develop and shape future regeneration in Castleford are set to be approved at the next meeting of Wakefield Council Cabinet members.

The ambitious plan, known as the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF), is a guide to how Castleford town centre could be transformed over the next 10 to 20 years, to bring improvements that could benefit residents, businesses and visitors.

The SRF aims to create an environment that will see local businesses thrive and make Castleford a destination, by building on the town’s heritage and one of its best assets, the River Aire.

It also highlights a need to address the problem of empty properties and the challenges of transport links both within the town centre and the wider area.

A short-term phase will largely be delivered through the Government’s Town Deal funding. Wakefield Council received nearly £24m (£23.9m) which will mainly be invested in the Riverside, Boho and Heart of Castleford proposals:

• Castleford Riverside – creating access to the river with improvements to public spaces and investment in Queen’s Mill.
• Castleford Boho – enhancements to Sagar Street as the key link between the riverside and town centre, including the delivery of a work and skills hub, revitalising of Kingdom Hall for community and enterprise uses, and improvements to public spaces including the existing shop fronts.
• Heart of Castleford – this aims to make Henry Moore Square the heart of the town, delivering a meeting place, events space and consolidated home for the markets, while introducing a new multi-purpose building.

In May, the first stage of the Town Deal programme – a shop front improvement scheme with grants of up to £12,000 – opened for eligible businesses in Sagar Street.

Future developments will rely on finding further funding opportunities, identified by the council or in collaboration with private or non-profit organisations.

Councillor Darren Byford, Wakefield Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, economic growth and property, said: “These are exciting plans that will provide the town with more than just a physical makeover. It will deliver a prosperous Castleford where people and businesses succeed and visitors are welcome.

“The proposals outlined will lay the foundation to ensure the town and people who live, work and own businesses there can go from strength to strength.”