A plan to accelerate Wakefield’s ambitions to regenerate parts of the city centre and attract investment is to be discussed by Cabinet members.
Senior councillors meeting on 16 July will be asked to support the Council’s intention to seek a Strategic Regeneration Partner to work with the Council and partner organisations to deliver the vision.
“Working with a Strategic Regeneration Partner will help us to drive forward our ambitious plans for an even better city centre for businesses, residents and visitors,” said Cllr Michael Graham, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth.
“This new partnership will help us to increase public and private sector investment in Wakefield. It will help to transform our city centre, accelerating our masterplan for the benefit of everyone who lives and works here.”
The regeneration partnership would be a long-term programme, in place for a decade or more, that would work closely with city centre businesses and the wider community to shape any strategic plans.
The partner would also work with public sector regeneration partners such as Homes England and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA). The aim is to bring in a partner who can add development and commercial capacity to complement the work of the Council.
If Cabinet members agree, the next step would see the Council holding a competitive process for organisations interested in becoming the Strategic Regeneration Partner, to be completed by the end of the year.
The selected partner would need a strong track record of working on similar strategic development plans.
Once appointed, there will be engagement with residents and businesses to share the strategic approach for future development of the city.
Development work will take place in accordance with the Wakefield City Centre Masterplan, that includes heritage led regeneration.
