‘Squandered opportunity’ - MP critical of council U-turn on The Ridings demolition
Wakefield’s MP has described a council U-turn on plans to demolish The Ridings Shopping Centre as a “squandered opportunity.”
Simon Lightwood said new proposals to retain the city’s 43-year-old mall and transform it into a leisure-led venue showed a “lack of imagination and ambition.”
The Reform UK-led authority this week announced the centre would be re-purposed to include more “hospitality, entertainment, and cultural uses” alongside existing independent retailers.
The council bought The Ridings for just over £11m in May when it was under the control of the previous Labour administration.
Those in charge at the time said it would be flattened to make way for new homes, leisure facilities and event spaces.
Labour lost control of the council days after the acquisition and Reform reversed the decision following a public consultation.
In a statement, Mr Lightwood, Labour MP for Wakefield and Rothwell, said: “Reform’s decision to drastically change the direction and scope of the Wakefield city centre regeneration plans is hugely disappointing. Quite frankly, Wakefield deserves better.
“It reflects a lack of imagination and ambition from the council’s leadership and represents a squandered opportunity to re-imagine our city centre for the next generation.
“At a time when Wakefield needs bold thinking, fresh ideas and a clear vision for the future, I am concerned that the revised approach falls well short of what our city could and should aspire to.”
On Monday, the council also said it would appoint an independent specialist advisor to develop a new commercial plan, with a focus on “retaining the centre’s current strengths” while attracting new leisure and hospitality operators.
As part of wider regeneration plans, senior councillors are also expected to agree to the creation of a new ‘Northern Gateway’ to the city centre.
If approved, the development would be centred around Borough Road Car Park and surrounding land and include new homes and public spaces.
MrLightwood said: “I know some people have strong feelings about theRidings. They are proud of our city, its history and its identity.
“Those things really matter and we should absolutely celebrate our heritage and protect what makes Wakefield special.
“But local people have also told me that our city needs to evolve, respond to changing times and create new opportunities for the people who live and work here.
“Our heritage should be the foundation for progress, not an excuse to stand still.
“More residential properties in the heart of the city could have played a vital role in creating a more diverse and sustainable city centre economy.
“Bringing more people to live in the centre would help support independent businesses, cafés, restaurants, leisure facilities and cultural venues, creating a place that is vibrant throughout the day and evening, rather than one reliant primarily on traditional retail.
“I sincerely hope that greater consideration is given to residential development in the fresh plans.”
Responding to the comments, council leader Karl Johnson said: “As Wakefield’s MP, I think we’d all like to see Mr Lightwood get behind this city and support what our residents and businesses want.
“We’ve listened to over 3,000 people this summer, who want more things to do, more things to see, and more reasons to visit – not a hole in the middle of the city centre for years to come.
“More housing is already part of this administration’s vision. We’ve announced plans for the north of the city centre which we know holds incredible potential.
“A new Northern Gateway would bring new housing, public spaces and retail alongside the affordable housing that we’re driving forward with on Kirkgate.
“We are not standing still and we are not prepared to let our city languish like the previous council leadership.
“We’re putting residents and businesses first, giving The Ridings and our wider city centre every chance to succeed.”