Plans approved for town's market upgrade and park

Plans to update a West Yorkshire town's market and create a new park have been approved.

Dewsbury Market would have a "more varied, day-to-night offering" with more areas for eating, drinking, socialising and events once the work was completed, Kirklees Council said.

The new park would be next to the market, and would be the largest green space in the town with its own play area and seating, according to the proposals.

Councillor Graham Turner said: "Once we unveiled our updated plans for Dewsbury Market, the adjoining park was very much the missing piece."

"These are both aspects of the town we know local people greatly care about, and they have a huge part to play in Dewsbury's future," he added.

The council said the park plans could potentially include water features, to add interest and entertainment for children using the play area.

There would also be an opportunity to include more art, with involvement from the local community, it said.

The town park would transition smoothly into the market's outdoor offering, where people would be able to eat and drink outside in an area which could also be used for events, the plans stated.

This would in itself transition into the indoor market, which would retain its historical structure and character, the council said.

The new outdoor space was designed to allow full visibility from end to end, to create a safer thoroughfare, the authority said.

The council worked with the Dewsbury Town Board and architects from the Building Design Partnership Ltd to develop the designs for the market and town park, and said it made sure the designs took into consideration feedback given by traders and local residents.

Keith Ramsay, chair of the Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board, said it was a "huge milestone" for Dewsbury Market and the new town park.

He said: "These are plans that will truly see Dewsbury town centre brought back to life, supporting the soon-to-reopen arcade and other town centre businesses, and cementing all we're doing to future-proof Dewsbury's heritage as a traditional market town - while creating a town centre that can thrive for future generations."

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