The eight Kirklees schemes that will be finished in 2026
Kirklees is going to look very different next year, as several major regeneration schemes are due to be finished
Huddersfield is the subject of its own mammoth ‘blueprint’ project, with the multi-million pound Our Cultural Heart at the centre.
Across the town, a new library, food hall and public square are looking ahead to a mid-2026 opening and work to bring the George Hotel back into use is gearing up.
Elsewhere, several of Kirklees’ other towns and villages are the subjects of their own blueprints, or other regeneration schemes.
In Dewsbury, the area around the town hall is getting a revamp and the historic arcade is getting a new lease of life.
Over in Heckmondwike, a new bus station is under construction and in Holmfirth, the town centre has a scheme of its own, aiming to make it more accessible and promote active methods of travel.
For many of these projects, elements are due to be completed in 2026 – if not the entire scheme – and we have rounded these up below.
Phase One of Our Cultural Heart
Huddersfield’s new food hall, library hub and public square will be up and running next summer as the first phase of the massive Our Cultural Heart Scheme comes to an end.
Looking further ahead, a museum and gallery, which will be co-located in the town’s former library building at Princess Alexandra Walk are due to open in winter 2026/27.
While timelines surrounding the later phasing are currently unclear, Phase Three refers to an urban park.
A use is yet to be determined for the Queen Street plot (Phase Four), and the venue and car park are currently in review, with these two elements making up Phase Five.
John William Street Shop Front scheme
After more than a year of delays, a scheme to revamp six “poor quality” shopfronts on Huddersfield’s John William Street finally got underway in September.
The existing metal framed shopfronts at 19 to 33a are being replaced with more traditional ones made from timber to make the shops more in-keeping with their surroundings and heritage.
Upperhead Row Car Park
The car park, which sits above Huddersfield bus station, is being given a makeover, with this set to be finished next spring.
It currently has 450 spaces but once the refurbishment is complete, there will be an overall reduction of 71 spaces due to the increase in the width of bays to accommodate larger modern vehicles.
There will be additional accessible parking, with the number of bays rising from 11 to 22.
Lockwood Bar
Drivers will be glad to hear that work on the Lockwood Bar scheme will be wrapped up in early spring, which some have described as a “nightmare”.
The new junction layout is already completed, though work will be continuing on paths, cycle lanes and other infrastructure.
Kirklees Council says the changes will improve provision for pedestrians and cyclists, reduce congestion, improve travel times for all road users, improve air quality and enhance the outdoor space.
Dewsbury Town hall Apron and Memorial gardens
Works to the area around the town hall began back in April, with paving replaced and more trees planted. The plans also cover a public space, complete with an amphitheatre, greenery and seating, as well as the relocation of the band stand to Crow Nest Park which took place at the end of 2024.
Dewsbury Arcade
As spades went in the ground, problems with rot and decay were found to be worse than anticipated and pushed the opening date of the arcade back to spring 2026. When work on the project kicked off in May 2024, there were plans for an Autumn 2025 opening.
Once works are complete, the arcade will be a community-run shopping centre, leased and managed by the Arcade Group.
The historic Grade-II Listed building is undergoing a multi-million pound revamp, in the hopes of returning it to its former glory while helping to regenerate the wider town centre as part of the council’s ‘blueprint vision’.
Heckmondwike Bus Hub
The £10.5m facility will be West Yorkshire’s first Weaver Network branded bus station. It will include more stops, extra indoor seating, cycle parking, solar panels, a green roof, a Changing Places room and communal outdoor spaces. Construction began last year and is due to be completed and open to passengers in spring 2026.
Holmfirth Town Centre Access Plan
Improvements to Holmfirth town centre are on track for a spring 2026 finish, the council has said.
The £10.3m Holmfirth Town Centre Access Plan (HTCAP) is part of the village’s wider ‘blueprint’ project and is designed to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions, improve journey times, encourage active travel and make the town more accessible.
But the works have caused local traders a great deal of trouble, with some, including Peak Footwear and Plants in the Holme, closing in the last year, with disruption from roadworks playing a part in the decisions to shut up shop.