Agenda item

To provide the Panel with an update on Dewsbury Town Centre projects and their programmes for delivery

Contacts:

Simon Taylor – Head of Town Centre Programmes

Peter Thompson – Project Manager

The Panel considered an update on Dewsbury Town Centre Projects and their programmes for delivery presented by Simon Taylor, Head of town centre programmes.

The Panel noted that:

·       In respect of the Springfield centre, a  key objective was drawing in the younger population and ensuring that the town centre had purpose to be visited.

·       Pioneer House (an annex to the college) had undergone a full refurbishment and its heritage had being brought to light. This was now open and an important part of the history of Dewsbury town centre.

·       The re-configuration of Dewsbury train station aimed to create a more attractive gateway into the town centre.

·       Smaller programmes also included the Dewsbury Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI), the Dewsbury Heritage Action Zone (HAZ), the Dewsbury Revival Grant Scheme, the accelerated Town Fund Package as well environmental improvements.

In respect of the Dewsbury Town Investment Plan, Simon Taylor highlighted that:

·       The plan was submitted in January 2021 identifying 9 projects.

·       24.8 million of investment funds was agreed from central government.

·       The public, the town board, local MP, Council Leader, community groups and business interests were involved with the development of the plan.

·       7 core town centre projects were planned to be delivered between now and 2025 / early 2026.

Simon spoke about each project in further detail:

·       Consultation on stage 2 of the designs for Dewsbury Market had just finished and were now moving into stage 3.

·       There were plans for an update to be presented to Cabinet in March 2022.

·       Construction works were scheduled to start midway through 2022 with a strategy in place for businesses that were trading in the town centre when the works began.

·       Early works on the Dewsbury Arcade were continuing into Autumn 2021 with a scheduled opening for Summer 2023.

·       Dewsbury town park was a long term project, with a scheduled opening in 2025. Planning work was scheduled to begin early in 2022, and construction works were planned to start in early 2024.

·       The redevelopment of the Fieldhouse and Daisy Hill area provided residential opportunities.

·       The Fieldhouse development would create showcase apartments and planning approval and funding streams were already in place. Design work was ongoing, construction work was scheduled to start summer 2022 with plans for opening 2023.

·       The development of Daisy Hill was, currently in early phases of work and was a long term regeneration project lasting from 10 to 15 years with the aim of developing a quality standard residential site.

·       The Creative Culture programme involved the development of a new Art Centre with plans for expansion by 2024.

·       There were to be events and cultural programmes to encourage people into the town centre.

·       Dewsbury Building Revival Grant Scheme was for existing building owners to help them make improvements to their building. This was with additional funding, to be extended until early 2026.

·       The transforming cities fund had committed funds of 8 million to a new bus station in Dewsbury. The consultation was scheduled to start 19^th July and works were planned to commence in 2023 through to early 2024.

The Panel acknowledged the impact the pandemic has had on the retail industry and that the reduction in retail capacity was likely to decline in all towns and highstreets. The Panel questioned whether the development of the Arcade could be less beneficial to the town centre than expected due to there not being enough tenants to occupy shops and retail space. There were also some concerns expressed as to why people would come to Dewsbury when there was a shopping centre (The White Rose) with free parking nearby.

The Panel gave regard to the Business revival fund and the need to be careful when supporting businesses to ensure sustainability. 

A further discussion was held on the need for a green space in the town centre which must be attractive to families, and not become another space for on street drinking and anti-social behaviour. On-street drinking and anti-social behaviour was also an issue in the Daisy Hill area and concerns were raised about the impact this might have on the planned developments to transform the area into an attractive residential area. The Panel expressed that until anti-social behaviour and on street drinking was properly managed that the investments in the town centre may be less effective and that resolving the issue should be a high priority.

Simon Taylor and Peter Thompson - Economic Resilience Project Manager, responded to the questions asked by the Panel. In regard to the retail strategy, both acknowledged that a focus on retail alone would not achieve all objectives. Peter Thompson further advised the developments were to bring a combination of services, including business, food and beverage offers to the town centre to encourage people to visit. It the vison for the town centre will be a unique environment with a local feel to the place. Peter also agreed that the issues around anti-social behaviour needed to be addressed so that the Arcade would become a place people felt safe in visiting.

Simon Taylor, in response to a question regarding the grant revival scheme, acknowledged that there had been improvements, but nonetheless careful consideration needed to be given to each business to ensure their success.

In response to the Panels concerns about anti-social behaviour in and around the Town Park, Simon Taylor advised that work was ongoing to address the issues with the police and community groups and noted that there needed to be a multiagency approach.

The Panel asked further questions around encouraging new tenants and traders into the Arcade. Peter Thompson advised work on this had already started in partnership with Arcade Gooseberry group. An early marketing campaign and website had been set up and was already generating some interest from businesses. Once the plans were approved and a definite proposition was made available then work would begin to actively target traders.

Simon advised the view was to produce a marketing strategy to promote Dewsbury Town Centre and added that this would be a great opportunity for the town board to lead on, as champions for the town. Peter Thompson explained that research had been carried out in relation to people’s attitudes towards the markets. A high percentage of responses identified if the proposed works were carried out more people would want to come to Dewsbury.

In relation to the Fieldhouse project, the Panel raised the importance of having mixed income homes and spaces available. In response Simon Taylor shared the living town concept for both towns, and explained that with public sector investment, the plans could potentially create a new housing market for Dewsbury. Peter Thompson further advised on the developments regarding the heritage of the building, providing the right quality and large accommodation space.

RESOLVED: The Panel noted the Dewsbury Town Centre Update and thanked the presenting officers for their contributions.