Kirklees Council has set out its delivery plan for its flagship Cultural Heart project. First in line for delivery are the new food hall, outdoor events space and library. Construction works on these key elements of the scheme will begin in Spring 2024. Some surveys and preparation works will be completed in 2023, with projected completion in Spring 2026.
The Cultural Heart is the centrepiece of the wider Huddersfield Blueprint. The blueprint is Kirklees Council’s ambitious ten-year vision to create a thriving, modern-day town centre.
The plans detail the transformation of the historic Queensgate Market into a vibrant new food hall. As well as a home for the new community-focussed library.
These will sit alongside a 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.
The project has been planned using a series of checkpoints or ‘gateways’. This has allowed for careful review of the scheme and the associated costs at regular intervals. This system has allowed Kirklees Council to set out a delivery plan that accounts for the current financial climate and constraints being faced by Local Authorities up and down the country.
Creating a cultural experience that is family friendly and welcoming to all has always been a priority. That is why phase one of the delivery plan will focus on the food hall, outdoor event space and the library.
Delivering these vital elements first means that Kirklees Council will be able to restore the library, an essential community hub, in a new, fit for purpose space. There will be an injection of vibrancy with events being held in the outdoor space, which also doubles as a space to gather and relax on quieter days. The food hall adds to the destination feel of the Cultural Heart, providing somewhere to socialise and have food and drinks around the events being held on the campus.
Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “The Cultural Heart and wider Huddersfield Blueprint plans are transformational for the town centre. I am pleased to able to set out a delivery plan for the Cultural Heart that is ambitious, sensible and, most importantly, has the people of Kirklees at its centre.
“It is no secret that the current financial situation is putting pressure on us as a council and that we are having to make some tough decisions but investment in our towns and villages cannot be allowed to simply stall.
“Developments like this one are vital if our towns are to, not just survive but, thrive once again. The gateway system we have used for moving the Cultural Heart forward means that we have looked carefully at every penny, every step of the way – that will continue for the life of the project to ensure we get value for money for our residents.
“This first phase of delivery means some of the key elements will become a reality and start benefitting residents, businesses and visitors a lot sooner than if we were to try to deliver such a mammoth project in one.
“We will be working on the delivery of phase one and finalising the rest of the delivery plan in the coming weeks and months.
“Times are tough, but they will get better and we need to be ready to benefit from the economic recovery that will come. These much-needed improvements to the town centre will put in the best possible position to take full advantage of that recovery for the good of the people of Kirklees.”
There have been two phases of public consultation on the Cultural Heart proposals, in May and September of this year. In total, around 8,000 people engaged online. Nearly 600 people attended the various in-person exhibitions to learn about the plans.
The overall public and stakeholder response to the plans has been positive. The individual elements that make up the scheme received between 62% and 75% support.
