A new creative quarter that could become a ‘significant cultural destination in the North of England’ has been given the green light to regenerate an area of Wakefield. The waterfront site, located opposite the Hepworth Gallery, is within the south of the city within a few minutes walk of the busy Wakefield Kirkgate train station.

The project is set to be discussed at our Transforming West Yorkshire Conference in June, with developers City & Provincial Properties (CPP) set to share details of the plans.

The planning permission and listed building consent application was submitted by planning consultancy Turley on behalf of CPP – with the aim of regeneration Rutland Mills and converting it and the surrounding area into a vibrant location which will attract people to the area. The development area currently include nine 19th century buildings including the grade II listed Rutland Mill complex and Phoenix Mill building.

The Rutland Mills site will be turned into a new mixed use creative quarter for collaborative partnerships in music, film, TV, design and new media. In partnership with Wakefield Council developers City and Provincial aim to create a ‘northern extension’ of their media type hub – Tileyard Studio in Central London.

The application also details mixed use spaces with proposals including a new four-storey building, a riverside pier, a new public realm creating a large open air events space and more. Flexibility within the proposals could also see a microbrewery, new shops, market stalls, a hotel, conference and education spaces, offices and much more. The overall vision is to breath ‘a new lease of life into Wakefield which will see it become a significant cultural destination in the North of England.’

The work would be completed between 2019-2022.

We’re excited to hear more about the ambitious plans, with Hawkins Brown the architects of the development set to present and represent City & Provincial Properties. We’ll also be hearing from plenty more at the Transforming West Yorkshire event in June including the exciting £750m masterplan set to transform Castleford. Join us there!