As thoughts turn to the holidays and we approach the end of another year, we thought you might welcome the opportunity to look back at some of the regeneration projects, big and small, that have continued to shape Wakefield throughout 2023 - as well as celebrating some major wins for the district.
Three aerial shots of houses with snowflake graphics superimposed on top
We started the year by launching the Regen Show - our very first podcast. The show was such a hit with the people of Wakefield we’re bringing it back in January for a second series. Don’t worry if you missed it, you can still catch up on all episodes before series two comes out in the new year.

January 2023 saw the makeover of the former Market Hall in the city centre continue to progress. Once complete this iconic building will be transformed into a stunning new events space called Wakefield Exchange. Down on the waterfront, the first of many creative companies moved into the former Rutland Mill buildings - now known as Tileyard North.  Phase two of the development is well underway and regular readers of our newsletter may remember recently seeing steel beams being installed in the newest building. The development has already been widely acclaimed and it was another win for Wakefield when the Council won the Collaborative Initiative of the Year Award for the project.
Six people in high visibility clothing and hard hats stood on a building site
February saw an announced sum of more than £2m being put into affordable housing as part of the Councils ambitious plans to deliver high quality homes for residents. To date the scheme has provided new flats in Pontefract, new homes in Castleford, with more new affordable homes planned for Fitzwilliam.

Shoppers in Normanton saw their market’s makeover complete in March, and as winter turned to spring eligible businesses in Moorthorpe, South Kirkby, and South Elmsall began to receive grants to improve their shop fronts, thanks to a £1.1m investment fund put in place by the Council. 

The Council also bought the Old Westgate Railway Station site, and earmarked the area for a brand new purpose built hotel. A new centrally located accommodation option will create new jobs, encourage visitors to stay for longer and further boost the local economy.
A satellite view of the site of the old Westgate Station
By May, the Nation’s attention had turned to the Coronation of King Charles III and celebrations got underway across the district, meanwhile renovation work began at Castleford and Pontefract markets to provide customers and traders with a better, brighter shopping experience as part of the Council’s £6.47m commitment to improving the district’s markets.

But regeneration isn’t just about buildings and public spaces, it’s also about creating the kind of places people can be proud of, which is why a new hub to tackle anti-social behaviour was opened in Castleford by Yvette Cooper MP and the Council Leader, Cllr Denise Jeffery.
A photo of Yvette Cooper MP, Councillor Denise Jeffery and two police officers chatting in a group
May was also the month key changes to Cabinet were made, and Cllr Michael Graham moved into the role of Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth.

Cllr Graham pledged to drive strong and inclusive economic growth and sustainable housing across the district, setting out his priorities for the whole of Wakefield.

More good news came in July as the Council successfully secured a grant of £720k to improve key areas around Castleford Station, and as temperatures soared in August it was an ideal opportunity to celebrate some of the newly commissioned outdoor public artwork on display at City Fields, funded in association with developers and housing companies onsite.

The Council also launched a pilot Shop Security Grant Scheme offering grants to eligible businesses to help improve the security of their premises and better protect the high street against vandalism and break-ins.
2023 was the year that Wakefield Council, in Partnership with Historic England, delivered on its promise to restore and preserve even more of the City’s historically important buildings. The Heritage Action Zone project has ensured that 19 historic buildings and 5 ginnels have been saved for future generations to enjoy. This short video shows some of the buildings included, along with details of the incredible work carried out.
A photo of a building with an old timber frame
Wakefield is blessed with lots of historic architecture and the Council is proudly investing in the future of the district’s heritage.

The Council awarded the Castleford Heritage Trust £900,000 to renovate Queen’s Mill and an exciting project to recreate the partial footprint of an Ancient Roman Bath House on its original site is set to get underway next year.
A photo of Queen's Mill in Castleford, stood next to the River Aire
As Summer turned to Autumn residents of Castleford received great news as the Council secured a further £20m from the Government to deliver long term regeneration for the town over the next ten years.

Not overlooking our younger residents, Wakefield Council provided play park improvements in South Hiendley, upgrading equipment, gates and safety surfaces. Creating a better outside space for children to enjoy.

In the city centre, Kirkgate received a temporary new green space as the disused ABC Cinema was demolished to make way for a planned new housing project.

Wakefield’s markets also received a fresh new look as a new visual identity was unveiled in November, including new signage, gazebos and stall sheeting. Heritage colours with a modern twist updated the look and feel of the district’s markets and received great feedback from traders and shoppers alike.
A photo of four people including Councillor Denise Jeffery cutting a ribbon on a train station platform
Castleford train station’s second platform closed back in the 1970s, and after championing a second platform for some time, the Council are delighted that platform 2 officially opened this year, providing new direct routes to and from the town, making Castleford even more accessible.

December is usually a time when things slowdown in preparation for the holidays, but the Council continue to work on improving the whole of the district - not just its main city and towns. Earlier this month new proposals were drawn up to regenerate Knottingley, Ferrybridge and Pontefract.

What a year it has been, and this is just the beginning! 2024 is going to be a transformational year for Wakefield, with large scale projects due to begin in the city centre, in Castleford and new projects to be announced across the district.
A photo of a shop window with text that says "Creating a city for tomorrow. Wakefield Regeneration"
To keep you up to date on these key projects, and to learn more about the things that are important to you, two regeneration exhibitions are being held in January. These free to visit exhibitions include updates and artist impressions showing what Castleford and the city centre will look like once these projects are finished.

The Council are encouraging as many residents as possible, as well as local businesses, to come along to the exhibitions. Visitors will be able to learn more about the transformational work taking place and meet with members of the regeneration team.

The events will take place as follows:
Wakefield Exhibition

9 January – 12 January
(10:00am - 4:00pm)

13 January
(10:00am – 1:00pm) 

Location: The former USC store
(opposite TK MAXX)
Trinity Walk
Castleford Exhibition

15 January – 26 January
(open in line with Castleford Indoor Market opening times)



Location: Castleford Indoor Market

  
Keep your eyes peeled for updates in our future Regeneration e-newsletters and don’t forget to tune into the new series of The Regeneration Show. There’s still so much more to come, and we can't wait to share it all with you! 

We wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year.
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