Plans to transform an iconic Huddersfield town centre building into new homes are set to take a major next step next week.
The Grade II* Listed Estate Buildings, located near the train station and George Hotel have been earmarked for new housing as part of the council’s ‘Blueprint’ vision for the town. At present, Kirklees Council says it would be “very challenging” and expensive for a developer to convert the building due to its heritage and age but hopes to reduce costs and make it a “more attractive” opportunity through a recently-secured cash boost.
The local authority has been awarded £1.25m from the One Public Estate Brownfield Land Release funding – a government fund to support local authorities in transforming surplus land and buildings into new homes. This will be spent on “enabling works” like internal demolitions, an asbestos survey and repairs, to get the property ready to be developed into housing in the near future.
The investment comes with conditions attached which state that the works must be in contract by March 31, 2025 and that the council must be in a contract to deliver homes by March 31, 2028. If the local authority fails to do so, some or all of the grant would have to be repaid.
Cabinet will be asked to accept the funding at a meeting on Tuesday (January 21).
Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance & Regeneration, said: “Our plans to prepare Estate Buildings for future development are a great example of how regeneration projects will future-proof key parts of Huddersfield’s history and protect the heritage of the building which dates all the way back to the 1800’s.
“I want to thank One Public Estate for the investment which will go towards repairs to help bring the building back to life. This partnership working is key to developing and restoring our historic buildings for a vibrant future use.
“The investment is a vote of confidence in our Huddersfield Blueprint and supports our aim of making the town centre a great place to live, work and play.
“Developing the current site will support our blueprint plans of Huddersfield becoming a vibrant and convenient place to live for the younger generation, with plenty of facilities nearby for people to travel and shop – increasing the footfall within the town centre.”
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