Progress made on Wakefield's waterfront scheme

Date: 21.12.05
Source: Yorkshire Forward

Plans to regenerate Wakefield's historic waterfront have been given a boost with the news that Wakefield Council has pledged to give additional financial support.

Cabinet members agreed to recommend that all the plans for the Hepworth project are included in the council's capital budget and it is expected that the budget will provide an extra £3 million with more funding coming from other sources in the new year.

The total cost of the scheme, which will see a world class art gallery built, is £26 million and £17 million has been secured at the moment with major funding coming from the Arts Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Councillor Phil Dobson, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "The Hepworth is a key part of Wakefield's urban renaissance and I'm pleased to say good progress has been made in developing the Hepworth as part of the regeneration of the waterfront.

"It is a fantastic project which we really want to start as soon as possible. This additional commitment from the council should give confidence to other funders."

To accompany the gallery, there will be a public garden and landscape surrounding it and the watermill on the site will also be restored.

In other projects for the waterfront, which is situated beside the River Calder, an imaginative mix of high quality office, residential and leisure buildings will be constructed.