Huddersfield town centre regeneration scheme to boost local economy and create jobs

Planning has been secured to kick-off a major regeneration project to be known as Trinity One, on a “highly prominent” gateway site in Huddersfield town centre.

The former Kirklees College site occupies approx. 6 acres of prime land fronting the ring road. The site is also home to the Grade II listed original Huddersfield Royal Infirmary which is to be retained at the heart of the scheme.

The dilapidated 1960’s college buildings are to be demolished and cleared and as part of the plans, Lidl GB will facilitate a modern, larger store featuring 127 car spaces, alongside 229 new build/conversion apartments and a HQ Office building. Lidl intends to eventually relocate its existing store on Castlegate.

Contractors are appointed to commence work imminently, starting with demolition of the non-listed buildings in late summer 2022. The opening up and clearance of such a site will offer a boost to the town centre, and the removal of what has been described as a “longstanding eyesore”.

Contracts have been exchanged with Lidl GB, but the Office and Residential proposals for the balance of the site will be offered to market in September.

Paul Fox, director of Leeds based property consultancy, Fox Lloyd Jones is acting as development manager for private clients and said: “It’s a very exciting time now that proposals for this important gateway site are approved and committed, allowing us to expedite the long overdue redevelopment of this key strategic site.”

He added: “The commitment to knock down the outlying and non-listed buildings will really help to present the site in a better light given its visibility and prominence and in addition to the food store it presents a great opportunity for a modern town centre living or retirement scheme, alongside other possible uses in the listed building phase.

“These major regeneration schemes take time to deliver, and we are excited to think we are now so close to starting the demolition phase, which will transform the location and further add to the Town Centre offer and streetscape.”

A spokesperson for Lidl GB added: “We are thrilled to confirm plans to bring a new store to Huddersfield, marking another milestone in our ambitious store expansion programme.

“We have invested significantly in the area over the last few years, both in terms of investing in our existing portfolio and through our planned new stores, and we are excited to be able to offer a greater selection of our quality products and incredible value to even more shoppers.

“We are firmly committed to helping boost the local economy by creating new jobs and working with local suppliers in the construction of the new store.”

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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