Waterfront plan revived
ABANDONED PROJECT TO CONNECT TOWN CENTRE WITH CANAL AND RIVER ZONE IS NOW BACK ON
A MAJOR redevelopment of the waterfront quarter just outside Huddersfield town centre is back on.
The project, which aims to connect the town centre and the waterfront quarter off Manchester Road, was first announced before the financial crash of 2008.
Now Huddersfield-based SKA Developments are seeking partners to help realise their vision and regenerate the area as part of the ongoing renaissance of the town.
They are heading to Cannes next week to launch their proposals.
Managing director Zeb Pervaiz said: “The waterfront in Huddersfield is a long under-utilised asset, and through the creation of a village with the River Colne and the canal at its heart, we hope to create something very special.”
If plans for the scheme come to fruition it will include housing, businesses, artisan shops, leisure facilities, community attractions and a health centre.
Mr Pervaiz has revealed that development on the site could be 8-15 storeys high alongside the waterfront, with buildings reaching 3-5 storeys on the St Thomas’ Road side.
SKA Developments is set to unveil its plans at the property conference MIPIM, which takes place annually in the south of France.
Among those attending MIPIM for Kirklees Council are council leader Clr Shabir Pandor and the Conservatives’ Clr Mark Thompson.
Mr Pervaiz and his team will showcase their vision and look for “project partners.”
Speaking in advance of the MIPIM trip, Mr Pervaiz said: “Our vision for the Greater Waterfront Quarter has been years in the planning, and we’ve worked closely with our partners, Kirklees Council and the Leeds City Region to design a scheme that will be both remarkable and truly transformational.
“Huddersfield has undergone a renaissance and our exciting plans for the Greater Waterfront Quarter seek to capitalise on the good work already undertaken
“We’re attending MIPIM to look for partners to help us deliver this exciting project and unlock potential funding that can realise returns as early as 2022.”
SKA’s plans seek to revive what it calls “the urban wilderness” of the nearby waterways “and help to celebrate the rich textile and industrial heritage of the Colne Valley”.
Housing types are set to be varied, including a range of affordable units, a potential retirement village, hotel, student accommodation, co-living space and high-value general housing.
Clr Pandor praised SKA Developments, which has been behind a number of key refurbishments in Huddersfield and is currently revamping the former Co-op building on New Street.
That project received money from the council’s Property Investment Fund: a £25m “war chest” for regeneration work in the borough.
He said: “It’s fantastic to see a business with an exceptionally good understanding of our area and region setting out their ambitions for the waterfront quarter.
“Not only will SKA’s plans transform a brownfield site, but they will also improve connectivity between the waterfront and the town and help to increase the vibrancy of the town centre through the delivery of another impressive scheme.”
SKA Developments, which owns the majority of the land earmarked for development off St Thomas’ Road, has described its ambitious scheme as “one of the largest and most advanced development projects in Kirklees in a generation.”