Homes and cultural centre to breathe new life into historic location

Property investment company, Rushbond, has revealed more details of its plans to transform Wakefield’s Civic Quarter into homes and a new community building, together named the “Wood Street Collection.”

The city centre’s former police station will be turned into 33 one, two and three-bedroom apartments alongside a conversion of Wood House – the former superintendent’s home – into a large, four-storey residential property.

The scheme will also feature 29 new two and three-bed townhouses complete with a community garden.

Credit: Simon Dewhurst

Also proposed are plans to convert the former Courthouse – a Grade II listed, 200-year-old building which has been empty for more than 30 years – into a new cultural community space.

Initial enabling works are beginning to take place, ahead of a programmed start on site in the summer.

James Dinsley, from Rushbond, said: “The name ‘Wood Street Collection’ was chosen as the scheme encompasses a series of distinct elements with their own individual identities, whether heritage or contemporary new build, in a complementary fashion creating an attractive and sustainable community with Wood Street at its heart.

“These homes will give a new generation of families and young people the opportunity to blend city centre living with Wakefield’s nationally recognised arts heritage and architectural beauty.”

Rushbond will market the homes under its new housebuilding arm – Fallowdale Homes. The first homes are set to be complete by mid-2025.

Councillor Denise Jeffery, leader of Wakefield Council, said: “We’re pleased that the hoardings have gone up and work will soon begin on the exciting re-development of this historic part of Wakefield city centre.

“It was wonderful to see the first illustration of how it will all look once complete.

“It really will breathe new life into this part of the city and ensure its stunning buildings are restored and transformed for future generations to enjoy.”

Cllr Michael Graham, Wakefield Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic growth, said: “One of our most historic areas of Wakefield city centre is set to be redeveloped as a place where people can live, work and socialise. It’s great to see work beginning on our ambitious plans.”

Credit Simon Dewhurst

Wakefield Council says the the transformation of the Civic Quarter is part of its long-term city centre masterplan created in response to the decline of the traditional UK high street UK-wide – shifting from a retail focus to more business, leisure and cultural spaces – as well as attracting more people to live in the city centre.

It adds that hundreds of jobs are set to be created during the redevelopment.

Other major regeneration projects include the Kirkgate Innovative Neighbourhood Gateway which is turning old commercial properties into new homes and public spaces and the Wakefield Exchange project – which is turning the former market hall into a creative hub, set to open later this year.