We have reached a significant milestone signalling an important next step in regenerating the heart of Cleckheaton.
We are drawing up exciting plans and asking local people to share their ideas to help shape the town’s future.
This programme of work aims to provide support and investment to Cleckheaton and to other towns across the district. Ensuring that Kirklees has vibrant centres, sustainable well-connected communities, and healthy, happy residents.
Safeguarding the future of the town
The programme has begun focusing on Cleckheaton and three other centres: Batley, Holmfirth and Heckmondwike. These towns provide a convenient next stage as they are the next largest and most important centres defined by work undertaken as part of the Local Plan.
The planning process will identify projects to be delivered in the heart of Cleckheaton town centre over the next 10-15 years, so we want to hear from people who live in, work in, shop in or visit Cleckheaton.
What is the plan?
The new plan follows several months of engagement with the local people and businesses of Cleckheaton to capture views on what people currently think about their town. Further site visits, research, public consultation, ward councillor input, information from the community and local knowledge have input into the draft master plan. This will highlight some fantastic potential projects that will build on and enhance Cleckheaton.
Projects identified in the draft master plan include improvements to:
- Savoy Square and the Market
- Investment at Spen Bottoms
- Better links with the Greenway
- A bigger town square and space for the creative industries to thrive.
Once agreed upon later this year, this master plan will be the basis for future investment.
There is currently £1.5 million in the first stage of funding to deliver some work. Future funding will be secured for the agreed masterplan projects.
We recognise that centres like Cleckheaton play an important local role and are part of a strategy which allows local people to access a wider range of local services and contribute to a more sustainable way of living which embraces our climate change agenda.
Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of the Council, said:
“Towns are undergoing rapid change, whilst persistent challenges such as peoples shopping habits, and out of town shopping more recently to online shopping put many communities under pressure.
This programme presents new and exciting opportunities for the community of Cleckheaton, and its businesses.
It is about giving villages the tools to address their own challenges, while also contributing to the bigger challenges facing society as a whole.”
Councillor Graham Turner, Portfolio Holder for Town Centres, said:
“This project is an ambitious and carefully crafted proposal that expresses our confidence in these town centres.
These changes will allow the towns to deliver a thriving, successful and attractive heart to Cleckheaton. Which will serve the needs of local people and businesses for decades to come. I would encourage residents to get involved in the consultation and help us shape their town centre”