Detailed plans unveiled for ‘game changing’ town centre market and park
Kirklees Council has submitted a planning application for Dewsbury Market and a new town park, two key projects within the Dewsbury Blueprint which will sit side by side in the town centre once completed.
The park will create the largest green space within the town centre, and a dedicated outdoor area for children of all ages to safely play.
Next to the park, the market will offer demountable stalls to allow for both an outdoor market area and a flexible space to support events.
The indoor market will also be capable of hosting a variety of events, while retaining the building’s historic structure and character.
Kirklees Council has been working with the Dewsbury Town Board and architects from the Building Design Partnership (BDP) Ltd to develop designs for both the market and town park.
If this planning application is accepted, the designs will continue to evolve and develop between now and work starting on site in 2025.
Councillor Graham Turner, cabinet member for finance & regeneration, said: “Once we unveiled our updated plans for Dewsbury Market, the adjoining park was very much the missing piece.
“These are both aspects of the town we know local people greatly care about, and they have a huge part to play in Dewsbury’s future.
“The planning application we’ve just submitted marries these two key elements within our Dewsbury Blueprint, and shows how different this part of town is going to look within the next few years – not even taking into the account the amount of work we’re doing elsewhere in the town centre.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time for Dewsbury, these plans confirm our commitment to delivering investment to regenerate Dewsbury over the next few years and I can’t wait for us to get started.”
Cllr Tyler Hawkins, cabinet member for corporate, said: “Dewsbury Market is the very heart of the town and these plans for its future will be a game changer.
“A modern market offering more variety than ever before alongside the largest green space in the town is going to breathe new life into Dewsbury whilst retaining the history we’re all proud of.
“Through consultation with local people, businesses and market traders, these plans are their vision for Dewsbury – a vibrant, bustling town centre with something for the whole family.”
Cllr Munir Ahmed, cabinet member for environment & highways, added: “I’m thrilled that as part of these plans we’ll be creating the largest green space in Dewsbury town centre, hugely increasing the number of trees, and creating a type of space that simply hasn’t existed in the town centre until now.
“Parks give people a place to come together, to socialise and enjoy family time, to exercise and enjoy the outdoors. We know how important this kind of space is to people living in Dewsbury.”
