Work to transform Elland town centre is progressing, with local feedback being used to develop revised plans for the Southgate area of the town and the Coronation Street car park.
Over £6million of funding from the Future High Streets Fund is set to transform the centre of Elland, through improvements to public spaces and the main shopping areas around Southgate. This significant investment will help to create a thriving market town which is vibrant, safe and a great place to spend time. It’s part of an impressive portfolio of projects worth more than £30m for Elland town centre and the surrounding local area.
Earlier this year, the Council held an engagement event in the centre of Elland to gather feedback on options for the Southgate area, specifically plans for the Coronation Street car park.
Over 100 people attended the event, and many more provided feedback through an online consultation. Three different options for the space were presented, each with images, and Council officers and the project architects were also on hand to provide further detail about the designs.
Feedback collected at the event, as well as further comments from residents and local businesses has been collated and the Council has now developed revised proposals for the area following that feedback.
The plans for the preferred option bring planting and trees to the high street, improves access onto Southgate for pedestrians and creates a seating area that complements the proposed improvements to Southgate Square. This option also retains 17 parking bays in the Coronation Street car park, with an extra two parking spaces created on the adjacent road.
New disability parking and drop-off bays are also planned on Coronation Street with a ramped footpath providing safe and step-free access to the high street. A new seating area will create a space for residents, shoppers and visitors to rest, meet and take part in events at the revitalised Southgate Square.
The Southgate plans are part of wider Future High Street Fund developments in the town. Further plans include revised road layouts with wider pavements and other measures to make the town centre easier to use and safer for pedestrians and cyclists. Enhancements to the Market Square are also proposed as well as the refurbishment of local community building, the Cartwheel Club, bringing the building back into use as a multifunctional hub for community groups.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Towns, Engagement and Public Health, Cllr Sarah Courtney, said:
“Following further feedback discussions with local people, we’re happy to be able to progress plans for the Southgate area of Elland town centre. The preferred option will retain more parking spaces in the Coronation Street car park, but also enable the development of an events area, with green space and seating.
“The new designs, alongside wider plans for the town will help to transform the centre of Elland and make it an even better place to live, work or visit. We’ll soon be appointing a contractor to carry out the works in the town and I look forward to seeing the plans becoming a reality.”
Supporting strong and resilient, thriving towns is a priority for the Council and contributes to the Vision 2024 for the borough. In the year 2024, Calderdale will celebrate its 50th birthday. Where do we want to be by 2024? Join the conversation by following #VisionCdale2024 on social media and visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision
Think you know Elland? Think again(external link)
For more information about this and other investment projects around the borough, visit www.calderdalenextchapter.co.uk(external link)