£16m Halifax town centre residential development takes “major step” forward

Award winning build-to-rent provider Placefirst has launched an online public consultation for its proposed 122 apartment scheme at Cow Green, in Halifax town centre.

The £16m BTR project has been designed to transform the former multi-storey car park into high-quality homes and if planning permission is granted will deliver a mixture of one and two-bedroom apartments over nine-storeys.

Designed in partnership with JM Architects, the proposed scheme takes inspiration from the town’s “rich heritage’’ and would deliver high-spec, energy efficient homes using a fabric first approach and renewable technologies. There would also be an electric car club for residents.

The landscaping around the site would improve public realm, with planting areas and new trees, integrating with the Council’s wider Cow Green Highway Improvements. Placefirst is working with West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and Calderdale Council on the delivery of the development.

The online public consultation invites comments and feedback from local residents to help shape the scheme. Once the public consultation is complete, the final planning application will be submitted to Calderdale Council in November. Work is expected to begin mid 2023 if approved.

The proposal is a “major step” towards Calderdale’s vision for Halifax as a “vibrant” place to live, work and visit, and builds on previous successful regeneration projects including Dean Clough, the Piece Hall and Square Chapel.

Plans dovetail with future ‘Calderdale The Next Chapter’ proposals for the town centre such as the refurbishment of the bus station which is already underway and the train station gateway.

Cow Green continues Placefirst’s commitment to the single-family rental sector in Yorkshire, and would follow in the footsteps of other successful Placefirst schemes in the region that offer high-quality homes for rent including ‘Cross Heath Grove’ in Leeds, and ‘Skye Edge’, a family community of 113 new build homes with hilltop views across Sheffield.

James Litherland, planning and development manager at Placefirst commented: “After hard work and collaboration with Calderdale Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, we are delighted to be in a position to share our plans with the public ahead of planning submission.

“We want to set the standard for high-quality energy efficient apartment living in Halifax town centre. We hope the consultation reaches as many stakeholders and residents as possible so we can take comments into account before a planning application is submitted”.

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily