Plans to reopen part of the lower concourse at Bradford Interchange and create a new public space have been submitted by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. The works are part of a commitment from the Combined Authority to invest in the broader Bradford Interchange site to support rail passengers while a longer-term solution for the bus station is found. In-depth surveys which will help determine the extent of the structural issues at the bus station are still ongoing. An update report will be brought to the Combined Authority in late September. The exterior plaza at the Interchange entrance will be significantly improved, with new paving, planting, public art and seating in place of the taxi rank. The existing toilets will also be reopened and the charging barriers removed, making the facilities free of charge. The taxi rank and drop-off bays will move to Bridge Street as part of the previously agreed wider improvements being made to the city centre. Passenger access to the rail station will be upgraded, including opening up the escalator and a lift, as well as providing a refreshed waiting area and visual improvements to the space. The project draws on some of the £22 million of funding that was previously set aside for improvements to the Interchange prior to it being closed for safety reasons in January. The Combined Authority’s planning application will be considered by a Bradford Council planning committee in the coming weeks. Elsewhere in the city centre, Bradford Council is continuing to transform the former NCP car park area, Hall Ings and Norfolk Gardens into a new public space. The existing trees to the rear of the former car park will be retained and the area which was once a concrete carpark will be planted with a mix of trees, shrubs, grasses and perennial planting. The new green area will also have bee and invertebrate habitat as well as bird boxes. New benches will be installed, and elements of play will be incorporated with a stepping stones area and balancing log. The council will also be making improvements to the Bridge Street ramp at the side of the interchange to access the rail station, including new surfacing, handrails and lighting, as well as incorporating new mural painting to create a more inviting entrance to the city centre. Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “Bradford’s residents, passengers and visitors deserve a fitting gateway to the city. “We know the closure of the Interchange has presented real challenges, but these works will help create a welcoming and attractive entry point for people visiting the city centre.” Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “The closure of the bus station at the Interchange has presented a lot of challenges to our planned works in the area, but we’ve worked closely with the Combined Authority on these plans, which will greatly improve the railway station of the Interchange as a gateway to the city. “We want to get this done as soon as possible so that those using the rail station and the buses on Bridge Street have access to toilets and also more pleasant area to wait.”

North East Lincolnshire Council is on the lookout to offer more capital grants for business ventures and community-based organisations to reactivate empty properties in Grimsby town centre.

The aim of the scheme is to bring forward smaller projects which will enhance the major regeneration works that are currently taking place, including a repurposed Riverhead Square, major works at St James House to create a small business hub, an NHS Community Diagnostics Hub, the Horizon Youth Zone, and a new cinema and leisure development.

The fund can cover projects that fit with at least one of the following six town centre priorities identified in the Masterplan:

• Introduce more diverse uses to the town centre
• Reconnect the town centre and the community with the waterfront
• Promote and support community ownership and participation
• Identify development opportunities within the town centre, including low-carbon initiatives
• Prioritise health and wellbeing activity in the town centre
• Enhance employment, skills and entrepreneurial opportunities

Since its inception many businesses and organisations have benefitted from a range of grants. Anne Bickerstaffe of Christian Action Resource Enterprise has been thrilled with the funding, which helped to secure the group a building. She said: “CARE is so grateful to the Activation & Community Engagement Fund for supporting our project, which has levered in other national funding to support the project, as many funders have asked us about local support. This newly renovated building will be a lasting legacy for Grimsby, creating and safeguarding jobs, as well as building pride in the community. It will ensure our charity’s sustainability, meaning we can serve the residents of Grimsby for many decades to come”.

Others have used the funding to provide a base of operations, such as Monica Chatterton from Our Big Picture. In 2022, Our Big Picture was awarded funding, which then enabled them to secure an additional £175,000 match funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to buy a Listed Heritage building in the centre of Grimsby.

She said: “This blended funding supported the establishment of North East Lincolnshire’s first Arts & Heritage Community Hub. The NLHF funding supported 2 years running costs which included four staff members. The Activation Fund was key to the continued development of Grimsby’s Arts & Cultural creative community.”

Blacks Solicitors has advised Heywood Homes on the development of a site in Holmfirth for 35 ‘Low Carbon’ homes with a gross development value of almost £13 million. The development of the site is backed by the £5 million of finance from Homes England, with Blacks providing advice to Heywood Homes. Andrew Pedley, Partner in the Real Estate team at Blacks Solicitors, said: “We are delighted to have supported Heywood Homes to successfully bring this housing scheme to the market alongside Homes England. It has been a pleasure to work with the team, offering advice on complex matters to ensure they can continue to offer environmentally friendly and EPC-A rated family homes designed in a manner not widely used in the sector.” Blacks’ involvement first began in 2022 with acquiring this sought after site. Subsequently planning advice was given by Senior Associate Solicitor, Katy McPhie, including matters such as reserved matters approval, securing a further planning permission and addressing complex infrastructure agreements. Heywood Homes was first introduced to Blacks through Andrew’s 10 year strong relationship with them and it has now been a client of the firm for more than three years.  Blacks continue to support in successfully bringing sustainable and modern housing schemes to the market. Jonathan Mayo, MD at Heywood Homes, added: “It was great to work with Andrew and the Blacks team again as, having worked together for some time, they help us to navigate through development constraints whilst achieving our environmental goals.  It was important for us to work with a funder who valued our ecological building principles, recognising the importance of all properties being EPC-A rated by using building techniques that are reducing carbon emissions, conserving energy and promoting sustainability; helping us to build a greener future by contributing to a healthier environment for generations to come.” Joanna Simpson, Development Finance Manager at Homes England said:  “This development is an excellent example of the support that Homes England can provide ambitious SMEs through government funding and we are proud to be supporting Heywood Homes and partners on this project. “The emphasis on sustainability in this development is particularly noteworthy, with all properties to be EPC A rated, a focus on the incorporation of outdoor spaces and the use of low carbon building techniques. This is a testament to how Homes England is able to support SMEs with our capacity and resources, and we encourage others to get in contact to find out if we can provide government-funding to kick-start their projects.”

Construction has begun on the latest development at Melton West business park in East Yorkshire. The £10m Evolve @ Melton West development will create 85,000 sq ft of prime commercial space for growing companies. Set within the wider Melton West site, west of Hull, the development will comprise of two larger units of 37,000 sq ft and 22,900 sq ft and a terrace of five smaller units of 5,000 sq ft each. Yorkshire commercial property developer Wykeland Group, owner and developer of Melton West, has appointed West Yorkshire-based Triton Construction as the principal contractor on the project. Construction work is now underway on the speculative development, with interest in the units high, ahead of occupiers moving in from February 2025. Wykeland Development Director Jonathan Stubbs said: “Evolve @ Melton West will plug an important gap in the region for high-quality, modern commercial space. “Small and medium-sized businesses are the beating heart of our economy and it’s vitally important to create spaces fit for today, and into the future, in which they can expand and grow. “Equally important is the development’s outstanding sustainability credentials. Sustainability is something which connects all businesses, and companies are increasingly seeking facilities which are of a high environmental quality. “Evolve @ Melton West meets that need and this was a key focus for us when planning this development.” All of the units at Evolve @ Melton West will be EPC A-rated, with rooftop solar panels, green living walls and electric vehicle charging infrastructure available for occupiers. Cycle storage shelters will form part of the development, which will also feature planted green roofs, with fast electric vehicle charging also available for public use. The buildings allow high levels of natural light in, thanks to translucent roof panels, creating bright workplaces and reducing the length of time when artificial lighting is required. Paul Clarkson, Managing Director at Triton Construction, said: “It’s great to be working with Wykeland on a development which will create new business opportunities and support the economic growth of the East Riding. “We’ve got a track record of delivering quality commercial developments just like this one, and we’re pleased to be playing our part in the evolution of Melton West business park. “Triton Construction is celebrating its 20^th anniversary next year, and this sort of project underlines our capabilities and expertise in commercial development.” LHL Group, which has offices in Hessle, East Yorkshire, is acting as the employer’s agent for the development, supporting the management and delivery of the project. Jo Dooley, Business Investment & Tourism Services Manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “We are very pleased to be supporting Wykeland to build much-needed small industrial units at Melton West business park. “The project will provide almost 100 construction jobs, and then at least the same amount of permanent opportunities once the industrial units have been completed and are fully occupied. “This is another example that the East Riding is an ideal area in which to start, locate and grow businesses.” Almost 2.5m sq ft of space is already under construction at Melton West, including global medical technology business Smith+Nephew relocating from its existing site in Hull to a new £120m research and development and manufacturing facility, and a £180m Amazon fulfilment centre. There are now around 1,500 people employed at Melton West, rising to 5,000 in the near future.