Residents and businesses in South Kirkby have backed proposals by Wakefield Council to attract new businesses and employment opportunities to the area while creating new skills training opportunities for young people.
There are three projects, each of which have also been endorsed by MP John Trickett. If the Council is successful in securing funding, they will help to improve both the local economy and the environment for the benefit of businesses, residents and visitors.
The Creative Futures Hub will see the construction of a purpose-built facility to support higher and further education in the creative industries sector. The Hub will be supported by the Council’s Youth Hub service who are committed to delivering universal and targeted help to the community.
The two other projects were both endorsed by 85% of respondents to the consultation. One proposes the development of a new creative cluster at Production Park to support more well-paid, highly skilled jobs. The other is a Gateway and Greening project to improve the environment around South Kirkby for the benefit of all who use it.
The Council has submitted a £20million bid to the Levelling Up Fund to finance the three projects. However, funding is not guaranteed, as councils across England are competing against each other for a share of the funding.
Cllr Darren Byford, cabinet member for regeneration at Wakefield Council, said: “A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the consultation. We know this is a very competitive process, and this funding is not guaranteed. These projects are important as they have the potential to make a significant difference to local residents and businesses. We have put forward a strong and persuasive bid which we hope will be successful so that we can get on with delivering an exciting future for South Kirkby.”
Labour MP Jon Trickett said: “South Kirkby desperately needs this £20 million to deliver transformative business and job opportunities for the area.
“Having come through the pandemic, a recession, and the ongoing cost of living crisis, the community needs this financial support from government to deliver much needed development, and create well paid quality full-time jobs.
“If the ministers are as committed to ‘levelling-up’ as they repeatedly tell us they are, they would ensure that this £20m comes to South Kirby without any needless delays.”
People were also asked about the emerging Spatial and Economic Framework (SEF) which provides an ambitious road map for the development of the area over the next 5-10 years and extends beyond the current proposals.
The top three priorities for future development selected were:
- Enabling the creation of new employment and development sites.
- Making the most of Moorthorpe Station as a travel hub.
- Creating new walking / cycling routes between the town, business parks and railway station to encourage active travel. The inclusion of green corridors and green spaces as part of new developments should also be encouraged wherever possible.
The outcome of the consultation has been included in the bid which was submitted to the Levelling Up Fund last week.
Funding is not guaranteed. It is a competition among councils. Government will scrutinise the bid against the characteristics of the area, the strategic fit with the SEF, value for money, whether they can be delivered by 2025 and whether they have the support of residents.
The result of the bid is expected in the Autumn of 2022.
