KIRKLEES Council says it has reached a significant milestone in regenerating the heart of Cleckheaton.

The council is drawing up plans and is asking local people to share their ideas to help shape the town’s future. 

The ‘Our Local Centres’ programme aims to provide support and investment to Cleckheaton and to other towns across the district ensuring Kirklees has vibrant centres, sustainable well-connected communities, and healthy, happy residents.

Our Local Centres programme has begun focusing on Cleckheaton and three other centres: Batley, Holmfirth and Heckmondwike.

The ‘master planning’ process will identify projects to be delivered in Cleckheaton town centre over the next 10 to 15 years.

Projects identified in the draft master plan include improvements to Savoy Square and the Market, investment at Spen Bottoms, better links with the Greenway, a bigger town square and space for the creative industries to thrive.  

There is £1.5 million as the first amount of funding from Kirklees Council to deliver some work and future funding will be secured for the agreed masterplan projects.

Councillor Graham Turner, Portfolio Holder for Town Centres, said: “The changes will allow the towns to deliver a thriving, successful and attractive heart to Cleckheaton which will serve the needs of local people and businesses for decades to come.”