The next phase for Kirklees Dewsbury Riverside Development has been approved at Strategic Planning Committee on 3 November, paving the way for Kirklees Council to carry out the next steps of the Local Plan allocation for housing development. Strategic Planning Committee granted planning permission based on full details of the
The next stage of funding for Kirklees Cultural Heart has been approved at a cabinet meeting today, paving the way for Kirklees Council to carry out the next steps in the regeneration scheme’s programme. Cabinet agreed to release £10.5 million of funds to enable the next stage of works on
One of Kirklees Council’s key carbon reduction projects reached another milestone in its journey today. Approval of the outline business case by councillors at Cabinet will now enable the Heat Network project to progress to the next phase, which will include how the Council can achieve successful delivery of the
Senior members of Kirklees Council were out in Huddersfield to inspect work on a housing retrofit pilot project. The pilot is a demonstration of the council’s commitment to a carbon neutral Kirklees and shows how existing housing can be retrofitted to reduce carbon improve the warmth and comfort of residents.
Kirklees’ Cabinet to consider £58M investment plan that could secure funding to support their Dewsbury Blueprint Ambitions. At their Cabinet meeting on the 19 January, councillors will consider a report on the proposed application for 25M funding from the Government’s Towns Deal Fund. The Dewsbury Town Board and Kirklees Council
Housing 21 is delighted to confirm plans have been approved to build an 80 unit Extra Care scheme at Kenmore Drive, in Kirklees, West Yorkshire. The scheme, which will be developed in partnership with Kirklees Council and Brewster Bye Architects, is Housing 21’s first Extra Care scheme in Kirklees and
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
The next phase for Kirklees Dewsbury Riverside Development has been approved at Strategic Planning Committee on 3 November, paving the way for Kirklees Council to carry out the next steps of the Local Plan allocation for housing development. Strategic Planning Committee granted planning permission based on full details of the first phase of access road into the site, and outline details for the provision of new community facilities and up to 350 new homes. The application also supports the delivery of high-quality pedestrian and cycle facilities connecting to the new signalised site access junction at the existing Forge Lane / Lees Hall Road junction, as well as the ability to connect to the new Ravensthorpe Railway Station which is part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade. The next steps include the council working with local people to progress an Inclusive Communities Framework for the area which will feed the community’s future needs into the next stages of developing the site alongside external partners. Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “This is an exciting step towards the creation of a vibrant and welcoming new community which has been made possible by collaborative working with local people, the council, Homes England, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Network Rail. We are committed to ensuring that the new Riverside development works for new and existing residents, many of whom have had their say about the proposals during the consultation phase, helping us better understand the aspirations and needs of the local community.” The first phase of construction has recently been completed by local company, The Casey Group Ltd with the creation of a new allotment site that will replace the original site of 25 plots with 43 plots. The transition of the existing allotment holders will start in the coming months. The planning application can be viewed on the council’s planning portal. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The next stage of funding for Kirklees Cultural Heart has been approved at a cabinet meeting today, paving the way for Kirklees Council to carry out the next steps in the regeneration scheme’s programme. Cabinet agreed to release £10.5 million of funds to enable the next stage of works on the £210 million project to commence. This work will initially include the finalisation of the design – in line with the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) design framework – and the submission of the relevant planning applications, which are expected to be submitted to the Local Planning Authority in the Autumn. The funding will also cover securing possession of key buildings and units across the Cultural Heart site, various site surveys, partial building strip outs and asbestos asbestos removal. To support their decision, cabinet were presented with the latest business case for the project. This outlined how the Cultural Heart will deliver many long-term, strategic, economic and community benefits for Kirklees, including increasing the number of visitors; safeguarding heritage assets; creating new jobs; enhancing the town centre’s green credentials; and, acting as a catalyst for further private-sector investment – particularly in the retail, leisure and accommodation sectors. Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “I think we, as a cabinet, have made the right decision for Kirklees in approving this next stage in the Cultural Heart programme. This is a significant step closer to delivering the transformational masterplan and I am excited to move towards the submission of a planning application in the coming weeks. “This comes on the back of several weeks of healthy public consultation and engagement, which is helping us finalise the plans. We are extremely confident in the Cultural Heart investment and can’t wait to deliver an amazing new landmark for the people of Kirklees. “This administration will not sit idly by and watch our once great towns slowly decline. We will invest across Kirklees to create thriving vibrant communities. The Cultural Heart will create an exciting and vibrant new chapter for Huddersfield which builds on its great history.” The Cultural Heart is the centrepiece of the wider Huddersfield Blueprint – Kirklees Council’s ambitious ten-year vision to create a thriving, modern-day town centre for Huddersfield. Plans for the Cultural Heart would see the refurbishment of the historic Queensgate Market and Huddersfield Library buildings to house a vibrant food hall and a dedicated museum space respectively. These new offers will sit alongside a new community-focused library, modern art gallery, multi-purpose live entertainment venue and a 350-space car park – all of which will be connected by a series of world-class public spaces and green parks. Two phases of public consultation on the Cultural Heart proposals, which began back in May, finished last week. In total, around 8,000 people engaged online and nearly 600 people attended the various in-person exhibition spaces and events to learn about the plans. All comments that were submitted as part of the consultation have been considered and are helping to shape the final plans.
One of Kirklees Council’s key carbon reduction projects reached another milestone in its journey today. Approval of the outline business case by councillors at Cabinet will now enable the Heat Network project to progress to the next phase, which will include how the Council can achieve successful delivery of the project. Huddersfield District Energy Network (HDEN), also referred to as the ‘heat network’, is considered key infrastructure to help the district achieve its ambitious target of net zero carbon emissions by 2038 – a target set by the council when it declared a Climate Emergency in 2019. The system, which features a network of underground insulated pipes, distributes heat in the form of hot water from a centralised heat generation plant to different buildings. These buildings are then provided with space heating and hot water from the network instead of via traditional individual gas boilers. Additionally electricity can also be delivered to buildings via a separate electricity network referred to as ‘private wire’. The existing Energy-from-Waste (EfW) plant, located in Huddersfield, presents an ideal opportunity as a central heat and electricity generation plant, harnessing the heat already produced there for the network. A separate energy centre, proposed to be located at a nearby council owned site, would house pumps (for pumping the water around the network) and vessels to store the heat, in the form of hot water, as well as helping to smooth any demand from the network. It will also contain back-up gas boilers for providing heat during periods when the EfW is offline due to planned maintenance or unexpected outages. Back-up electricity would be provided via the national grid. If the scheme is ultimately approved and constructed it is expected to achieve significant carbon emission savings of around 70% (when considered against typical individual gas boilers) over the lifespan of the scheme – as well as air quality improvements – through the removal of the need of natural gas-fired boiler plants at sites that would be able to connect to the network. Heat network piping can also last over 50 years and has the ability to accommodate different sources of heat, so if an existing energy source reaches end of life, it can be removed from the system and replaced by a new source. This makes the system even more sustainable adding to its environmental credentials. The timing of the upcoming procurement process for the Recycling and Waste contract renewal has also been recognised as an important opportunity to the council and will play a key role in the heat network project. Work will be undertaken by relevant council officers to align these two projects to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes. Additionally other significant council-led redevelopments via the Huddersfield Blueprint and Station to Stadium schemes where possible would also connect to the network. Councillor Naheed Mather, Cabinet Member for Environment and Councillor Will Simpson, Cabinet Member for Culture and Greener Kirklees said: “District Energy Networks are recognised by central government as one on the most effective ways of decarbonising the local heat supply in urban areas. “We recognise the challenges of a changing climate facing the district and are making changes to meet the important target of net zero in 2038 for the benefit of Kirklees residents, its wildlife, landscape and biodiversity. “The scheme – managed by the Council’s Air Quality, Energy and Climate Change Team – would make a considerable dent in the decarbonisation of Huddersfield Town Centre and contribute significantly in making our district greener and carbon neutral by our 2038 target. We would like to thank officers for all the work that has gone into the project to date to gain approval for the next stage of project.” Now approved, additional funding is required to progress the project to the next stage which the team hope to raise through a bid to the Green Heat Networks Fund (GHNF) – launched by the government in March this year. The council have previously benefitted from funding for the various stages of the project including £300k for the delivery of the outline business case from the BEIS Heat Network Delivery Unit who have since shown their written support of the scheme to progress to the next stage. With Cabinet approval the team await the outcome of the bid to the GHNF due later this year, and if successful officers would start work on developing the full business case.
Senior members of Kirklees Council were out in Huddersfield to inspect work on a housing retrofit pilot project. The pilot is a demonstration of the council’s commitment to a carbon neutral Kirklees and shows how existing housing can be retrofitted to reduce carbon improve the warmth and comfort of residents. The pilot will combine a fabric first approach of insulating the loft, cavities and the external walls, with the installation of renewable technologies including a heat pump for heating and hot water which will replace the gas boiler and photovoltaic (solar PV) or solar thermal panels. The eight properties, at Abbey Road, Far Town will also have new roofs, doors and windows. Once the work is complete, energy use and the performance of the new greener technologies will be monitored to help measure gains in carbon reduction. This will inform future schemes and help identify other homes across housing stock that could benefit from retrofitting. Councillor Cathy Scott, Cabinet member for Housing and Democracy, and Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “Through this pilot, Kirklees Council is looking at a project that could significantly contribute to our efforts in tackling the climate emergency and our aim to be carbon neutral by 2038. The eight properties will hopefully demonstrate that existing housing can be redesigned to use renewable energy instead of fossil fuels and with effective insulation, the carbon footprint of these properties can be diminished to net zero. Skills and regeneration are key priorities, this small-scale pilot has the potential to lead to larger projects in the future that will create opportunities for the people of Kirklees to learn a new skillset and get involved in innovative technologies.” Councillor Will Simpson, Cabinet Member for Culture and Greener Kirklees said: “This pilot project further demonstrates how Kirklees Council is committed to meeting its own carbon neutral targets for the district by 2038. I’m keen to see the results of the survey and how successful retrofitting energy saving solutions are in reducing the domestic carbon footprint. “I am hopeful that this pilot will provide a blueprint for the rest of the council’s housing stock but also a benchmark for privately owned and rented housing, to aim for, across the district and further afield.” Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, was also on site and added: “I’m proud to be supporting Kirklees’ housing retrofit pilot which will make a real difference to the quality of life of its residents. By making homes more energy efficient, we can help people keep warm and reduce their energy bills while contributing to our ambition to make West Yorkshire net-zero carbon by 2038.” Kirklees Council are working in partnership with Michael Dyson Associates, who have designed the properties, and Groundwork who are coordinating the retrofit project and will ensure the scheme is delivered to PAS 2035. Work started on 2 August 2021 and is due to end this December. Tenants are looking forward to no more gas bills and a greener home.
Kirklees’ Cabinet to consider £58M investment plan that could secure funding to support their Dewsbury Blueprint Ambitions. At their Cabinet meeting on the 19 January, councillors will consider a report on the proposed application for 25M funding from the Government’s Towns Deal Fund. The Dewsbury Town Board and Kirklees Council have compiled a Town Investment Plan as part of their bid, following consultation with local people at end of 2020. The investment plan proposes nine projects that the board feels would best benefit from the funding and deliver on what is important to local people. Cllr Shabir Pandor, Leader of the Council and Interim Chair of Dewsbury Town Board said: “The council and the town board are working together to make our ambitions for Dewsbury come true. In February 2020 we set out a ten-year vision for the town, many of the schemes that the board has selected to support with this plan were included in that vision. With this funding from the government, and match funding from the council we could see many of our plans come to fruition and demonstrate that Dewsbury really is a town of distinction. With a new town centre park, the regeneration of the arcade and the market, and high quality residential accommodation attracting commuters from nearby cities, local people could see significant changes in the town over the coming years. Dewsbury is a proud town and it deserves to be brought back to life as a family friendly place to live, work, shop and play.” Should the bid be successful, in order to make sure they can successfully complete the projects, the council will also be looking to allocate £33.6M of match funding from a variety of sources including council capital, Arts Council grants, private sector contributions, and the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund and Getting Building Fund. If Cabinet approves the report, officers will finalise the Town Improvement Plan and submit it to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government by 29 January 2021. Once agreed Kirklees Council and the Town Board will enter into a Town Deal with government, before drawing up more detailed plans for the proposed schemes. The full list of projects included in the Town Improvement Plan are: £1.3M for the redevelopment of The Arcade as a multiuse space. £6.6M for an improved market offer in the town. £3.15M to build on the success of the Townscape Heritage Initiative with a new Building Revival Scheme. £250,000 investment in digital connectivity for town centre properties. 6.25M to create a town park and improve the public realm throughout the town. £1.5M investment in construction skills for local people. £2.195M investment in the Union Arts Centre as part of the town’s creative town ambitions. £3m to develop a living town at Daisy Hill in Dewsbury, and finally £2M to improve the roads and make it safer and easier to travel by bike or on foot. This latest funding opportunity will build on the council’s earlier investments of over £8M in the town, including the recent redevelopment of Pioneer House as the Pioneers Higher skills Centre, and the purchase of The Arcade.
Housing 21 is delighted to confirm plans have been approved to build an 80 unit Extra Care scheme at Kenmore Drive, in Kirklees, West Yorkshire. The scheme, which will be developed in partnership with Kirklees Council and Brewster Bye Architects, is Housing 21’s first Extra Care scheme in Kirklees and will provide much needed accommodation for local people over the age of 55, who have a connection to the local area. The scheme will offer 80 one and two bedroom apartments, all of which will be available for rent. Designed to promote independent living in a community setting, a care team will be on-site 24/7 to deliver planned care packages to residents if needed. It will offer people over the age of 55 their own home, with a range of facilities on hand including an activity room, communal lounge and gardens. An on-site hair salon and café/bistro for residents will also open to the public, subject to government guidelines and social distancing rules upon scheme opening. Clare Hemming, Senior Property Development Manager at Housing 21 said: “The scheme will provide much needed affordable homes for older people in the area, with on-site, tailored care and support packages available to help residents live independently for as long as possible.” For more information about Housing 21, visit www.housing21.org.uk.
