Ambitious masterplan for jobs and homes

AMBITIOUS PLANS for three quarters of a billion pounds to be invested in Castleford have been revealed.

Wakefield Council will this week launch a consultation on the Castleford Masterplan proposal, which will see thousands of new homes built over the next 15 to 20 years, as well as creating jobs and green spaces.

The transformation will cover 570 acres of former industrial land in the north-east of the town along the River Aire.

Up to 4,500 homes could be built in the area, which is known as the Aire River Growth Corridor. The former Hickson and Welch chemical works and Nestle site is earmarked for 1,400 of the properties, as well as a hotel, retail and businesses space and community facilities.

Coun Denise Jeffery, the council’s cabinet member for economic growth and regeneration, said: “The Castleford Masterplan supports our big ambitions to regenerate the town and to plan for the future. This will provide homes for families in the district, help to boost our local economy and create various jobs for people in the area. It is a very exciting time for the town and we want as many people as possible to have their say.”

The council said the plans reveal how former industrial sites would be “transformed,” as well as revitalising the town centre and providing green open spaces free of vehicles to enable better links between neighbourhoods and more opportunities for walking and cycling.

Public funding of up to £42.5m is expected to be a catalyst for the area’s redevelopment.

The council has submitted a bid for £17.5m of Homes England Housing Infrastructure Funding to help speed up house-building and plans to submit a funding bid to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority for a £25m Castleford Growth Corridor road improvement scheme to tackle congestion in the area.