New urban quarter hailed as major milestone in city regeneration

A NEW urban quarter was opened in Wakefield yesterday in what was hailed a major milestone in the city’s regeneration.

Those behind the 140m Merchant Gate development in the city centre, announced the first stage of the development had been completed providing a multi-storey car park, 66 flats, 47,000 sq ft of office space and restaurants and shops.

Work will now begin on the second phase of the project to provide Wakefield Council’s new eco-friendly civic offices on Burton Street, which will replace outdated council buildings which are running up large repair and maintenance costs.

Sir Michael Lyons, chairman of English Cities Fund (ECF), speaking at a launch event, said: “This is a really important first step in reshaping a key gateway site and creating a vibrant urban quarter in the heart of Wakefield.

“Whilst many other developments across the UK have been on hold due to the current economic climate, ECF partners have pressed on with the Merchant Gate scheme which now provides contemporary apartments, Grade A office space, restaurants and retail for the people of Wakefield.”

The new council building will cost 31.2m, which is covered by selling old council buildings and a 60-year mortgage arrangement. The running costs of the new building are expected to be less than the total running costs of the buildings the council will be moving out of.

The development is being delivered by English Cities Fund, a partnership between Muse Developments, Legal and General and national housing and regeneration agency the Homes and Communities Agency, with financial support from Wakefield Council, Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund.