Kirklees Cultural Heart

Key Project Information

• A flagship regeneration project for Huddersfield’s town centre and major element of the Council’s 10-year vision to transform Huddersfield town centre.
• The proposal will deliver a new market food hall, library and art gallery refurbishment, a new 2,200-person indoor event venue, outdoor event space and quality public realm.
• This transformative £210m investment will generate £18m net additional expenditure annually, creating around 460 jobs, generate £10.5m annually in social value and improve mental and physical health.

The project is a key council-led regeneration scheme which will revitalise the town centre, bringing new activity and life into the heart of the town.

When complete, the scheme will transform the heart of Huddersfield into an inclusive and adaptable town centre, offering a range of facilities to serve the local community.

The scheme introduces a traffic-free zone to encourage pedestrian movement and bring people together and will deliver new and enhanced green spaces that boost biodiversity.

Challenges overcome

Prior to the submission of the application, we worked proactively with Kirklees Council, key stakeholders and members of the public through extensive consultation, which shaped the design proposals.”

With two listed buildings being proposed for refurbishment and numerous listed buildings in the setting of the proposal, working with architects FCBS we had to prepare a robust case and work closely with Historic England and other heritage stakeholders. The final approved scheme offers a sensitive response that preserves the significance of the town’s heritage whilst still providing new and exciting flexible public uses.

Long term benefits

This town centre regeneration scheme will be a catalyst for further private sector investment in the town centre, and support Kirklees Council’s long term social value objectives to support youth employment and local businesses.

By making ambitious and exciting physical improvements to the town centre, this scheme will have far reaching benefits for those that live, work and visit the town.