Demolition plan for 1980s shopping centre approved

A plan to buy and knock down The Ridings shopping centre in Wakefield has been approved by senior councillors.

The Labour-run authority revealed earlier this month it was intending to purchase the 1980s-built precinct in order to demolish it to make way for a new development.

Estimated to take between 10 and 15 years to complete, the council says the new Cathedral Quarter scheme will include housing, green spaces and leisure facilities, and would see four nearby tower blocks knocked down.

Responding to opposition calls to delay the plans, council deputy leader Jack Hemmingway, told a meeting of the authority's cabinet: "This is Wakefield's chance, this is our time."

Hemmingway added: "You look at other places – Barnsley, down the road – they've had regeneration.

"Around this cabinet table, we're going to make the right decisions for the future of this city."

Opened in 1983, The Ridings was one of the first American-style shopping malls in the UK, but is now less than two-thirds occupied.

Plans for the Cathedral Quarter development also include a public square, a cinema, a new library, a museum and a sculpture park.

Wakefield Civic Society offered "cautious support" for the scheme, ahead of the meeting on Tuesday.

In a statement, it said: "The society recognises the Cathedral Quarter is a bold and ambitious project which will transform Wakefield city centre, creating new opportunities for businesses, residents and visitors.

"We look forward to engaging in the forthcoming consultation exercise where concerns can be shared and discussed."

However some opposition councillors allowed to address the meeting urged cabinet members to delay making a decision.

They called on them to apply for permission to extend the deadline to spend around £8m of government funding.

Samantha Harvey, Reform councillor for the Wakefield Rural ward, said: "In six weeks' time you want to seal the deal. You can't even sell a house in six weeks.

"Why the rush? It's because the elections are coming on May 7. The timing is not good."

Harvey added: "Your record of regeneration is not good enough for the people of Wakefield."

Rachel Speak, Liberal Democrat councillor for Knottingley, said: "It's not a routine decision.

"It's a major financial commitment, using public money at a time when both the council and residents are significantly under pressure."

Retail analyst Catherine Shuttleworth told the BBC: "When [Wakefield] say they are going to close The Ridings down, it is the right thing to do, but you have to have pain before you revitalise and create a new economy for the town.

"Wakefield is so close to Leeds it has to find its identity and focus on it, and that's what the council and the people of Wakefield, now need to do."

Ahead of the meeting, Local Democracy Reporting Service said documents seen by councillors, stated: "If Cabinet does not approve the recommendations within this Cabinet report, then the acquisition of the Ridings Shopping Centre will not progress and the transformational redevelopment of the Cathedral Quarter will be stalled."

People in the area will now be asked for their views on the proposals.

Hemmingway said: "These are initial plans. These are plans that we will be consulting on, that will be shaped by the public feedback.

"We're really keen to hear what the public have to say, and I for one am excited about what that means for this city."

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