Issue - meetings

To receive an update in respect of Neil Jordan House.

Contact:        Louise Almond, Housing Growth Manager

Jack Sessions, Housing Growth Project Assistant

RESOLVED –

That the update in respect of Neil Jordan House be noted.

Thomas Fish, Acting Head of Town Centre Regeneration, presented a report on Neil Jordan House to inform Board members of current progress.

The Board were reminded that Neil Jordan House was a Grade II Listed former station master’s house; a two-storey stone building with a pitched and hipped blue slate covered roof incorporating ornate carved feature stonework. It had been used as office accommodation and occupied a prominent position fronting Dewsbury Ring Road (A638) at its junction with Wellington Road. The property was positioned opposite Dewsbury Railway Station.

After soft market testing in 2023 and 2024 showed limited interest, the property had been marketed for sale in April 2025. Since then:

·       Three cash offers for business/office use had been received.

·       Three parties have expressed interest in residential conversion, with one formal proposal currently under evaluation by Cushman & Wakefield.

·       Registered Providers of affordable housing had confirmed they were not currently interested in a purchase or undertaking conversion projects.

Neil Jordan House was a key heritage asset in Dewsbury town centre. Its redevelopment supported the Dewsbury Blueprint and Kirklees regeneration aims. The transformation of Field House (Station Apartments), directly opposite, demonstrated the positive impact and viability of similar schemes.

Risks if the property were to remain unsold were:

·       Ongoing holding costs (security and maintenance).

·       Further deterioration leading to higher future repair costs.

·       Increased risk of anti-social behaviour, vandalism, and break-ins, impacting town centre safety and perception.

An update would be submitted  to the next Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board meeting about the proposal currently being assessed by Cushman and Wakefield

Assuming the development progressed further, the preference of the Council was currently Development Partnering via Procurement Process. This would involve the development partner entering an option agreement with the Council and obtaining the relevant planning consent before entering a Building Lease for the duration of construction. Finally the freehold would be transferred to them; this enabled greater control over delivery but would require more Council resources.

During discussion the Board were informed that the site had been purchased in 2022 as part of the Daisy Hill Neighbourhood Project regeneration scheme, a decision which had been made by the Board after robust discussion, taking into account the risks of both acquiring and not acquiring the property. It had been understood at the time that the property may have to be sold, but that this would allow a level of control to be retained in respect of when, and the standard to which, the property would be redeveloped.

RESOLVED –

That the update in respect of Neil Jordan House be noted.