‘Bold new chapter’ as details of new employment hub in Huddersfield released
Kirklees Council has unveiled its vision for a new employment hub focused on health innovation, life sciences and advanced manufacturing.
Named Ignition Works, the new hub would be located on the site of a former gasworks in Huddersfield.
The council is currently aiming to attract private investment for the scheme in order to transform the site.
The 2.75-hectare site forms part of a wider Station to Stadium Enterprise Corridor Masterplan for Huddersfield.
David Shepherd, executive director of place at Kirklees Council, said: “Today’s launch of Ignition Works marks a bold new chapter for this site. It reflects our ambition to create a place where innovation can thrive and ideas can be turned into real-world opportunities.
“We’re inviting investment, partnership and collaboration to help shape a new employment hub that builds on Huddersfield’s growing strengths in innovation, health and advanced manufacturing.
“The site will complement the University of Huddersfield’s groundbreaking National Health Innovation Campus, providing space for businesses that want to co-locate and collaborate.”
Following Cabinet approval in March, the council introduced Ignition Works to a targeted audience of investors and developers at UKREiiF in May.
The Council said the strong response from the announcement had demonstrated “early market interest” in the opportunity.
Located next to the University of Huddersfield’s National Health Innovation Campus and at the heart of the Station to Stadium Enterprise Corridor, the Council said the site will aim to provide “high-quality employment space for businesses looking to co-locate alongside world-leading research, innovation and skills”.
Speaking on the scheme, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Our Local Growth Plan is boosting the region's fastest growing sectors and backing local businesses to get the skills, workspace and investment they need to thrive.
“We're working with businesses and the council to unlock new investment, create well-paid jobs and grow our world leading health and life sciences sector.
“Alongside the National Health Innovation Campus, this site will become a nationally significant centre of excellence for innovation, driving the development of life changing technologies, and contributing to a brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.”
Ignition Works was first identified as an opportunity in the Station to Stadium Enterprise Corridor Masterplan, approved in 2022.
The site was previously home to a number of gasholders, which were demolished in the 1960s and 1970s.
The freehold is owned by Kirklees Council, with some leasehold interests remaining in place.