Town centre restoration planned

The plans will be used to prepare bids for 1.5m to help to restore and re-develop key historic areas of the town.

The aim of the project is to support regeneration within the town centre focusing on its medieval yards and ginnels and market place and create areas where people are proud to do business and live.

Pontefract was an important settlement during medieval times, and is known for its market place and its castle. The market place conservation area is the commercial centre of the medieval town of Pontefract, which has a strong historic character and features 67 listed buildings, an unusually large number for a relatively small town.

Many buildings within the conservation area are slipping into poor repair or have suffered from "inappropriate" alterations. A number of buildings are also threatened by further decay because they are empty or under-used.

The council has produced a masterplan recommending by improving the quality of the town's yards and ginnels.

In doing this, opportunities for new businesses would be created, town centre housing could be provided and the town's historic fabric restored.

Wakefield Council is providing money and preparing bids totalling 1.5m to the Heritage Lottery Fund Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) and regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

It is hoped restoration would encourage more visitors to the town centre, thus improving trade. The authority also plans to use the enhanced historic areas to attract further investment and interest to the town.

Pontefract traders and residents are being encouraged to have their say about the Wakefield Council proposals ahead of the bids for financial support being put in.

Coun Clive Hudson, Wakefield's Council's heritage champion, said: "We're really keen to hear what local people have to say about these proposals and how potential funding could be most effectively used.

"So we're launching a series of events and an exhibition to give traders and residents the chance to find out more and to give their views."

New Heritage Lottery Grant Funds of 38,500 are being used together with additional council funding to develop detailed proposals for restoring historic buildings, such as those in key historic areas like the market place, providing specialist training in heritage construction techniques and raising awareness of Pontefract's rich and vibrant history.

The proposals being developed will enable Wakefield Council to make a submission for more funding in May 2010.

THI grants can be spent on work which has a positive impact upon conservation and regeneration. Grants can be offered to encourage property owners and tenants to carry out work that restore the historic properties and public spaces.

It is also hoped that the plans will also widen awareness and the appreciation of the heritage of Pontefract's market place conservation area.

Pontefract Library will host the exhibition from Monday, February, 15 until Friday, February 19. There will be a stall at Pontefract Market Place on Wednesday, February 24, and Saturday, February 27.

A project officer will be on hand to discuss the scheme and answer questions. Schools and local community organisations are also being contacted for their views.