Wakefield Council

Pontefract town centre

'Forgotten Communities Fund' - The ten Wakefield areas set to get funding boost
Wakefield Council plans to set up a £2.8m ‘Forgotten Communities Fund’ to support community projects in ten areas of the district.

The Ridings Shopping came under the ownership of Wakefield Council on May 1 after the authority completed a deal to buy it for just over £11m.

The Ridings Shopping Centre demolition plan set to be scrapped

A retrospective planning application has been submitted to allow the former Black Swan, on Westgate, to remain in use as 13-bedroom shared accommodation. LDRS image

Black Swan: New HMO plan for former city centre hotel

Sofra Express Grill Kitchen has been refused permission to relocate to a former betting shop 250m from its current base on Alverthorpe Road due to it being within a "takeaway exclusion zone."

‘Healthy’ shop's 250m move rejected due to ‘takeaway exclusion zone’ policy

The waste site at Hacking Lane in South Elmsall

Operator loses legal fight to extend life of 'putrid' Yorkshire waste site

Wakefield Council's cabinet has agreed to scrap two-hour free parking.

Wakefield politicians give views on scrapping two hours free parking

Wakefield Town Hall

Opposition to council plan to scrap empty home tax discount

The Ridings Shopping came under the ownership of Wakefield Council on May 1 after the authority completed a deal to buy it for just over £11m.

Major announcement on The Ridings Shopping Centre due ‘within weeks’

Ongoing work on the Wrenthorpe Bypass is set to continue this week. A lane closure is in place while Wakefield Council carry out work, and is set to continue until January 2022.

Wakefield road closures: Seven locations affected by works

Kathryn Pybus and Lisa Hudson urged councillors to reject plans to building 151 canalside homes at City Fields in Wakefield.

Boat residents raise fears for wildlife as canal homes approved

Lightwaves Leisure and Community Centre, in Wakefield. LDRS image

Council scraps £1 sale of former pool and leisure centre to charity

Wakefield Council has appointed a developer to deliver a new hotel at the site of the city centre's former railway station. Artist impression of new hotel. Image: Wakefield Council

Construction of hotel at old station site expected in 2027

Wakefield Council looks set to agree to spend £500,000 to help secure the future of professional league in Featherstone.

Featherstone set for £500,000 boost to bring back rugby league

Woolley Hall

Former council-owned mansion set to become 'hotel, spa and wedding venue'

Plans to demolish the Sandal Grove Infants School site to build a 76-bedroom care home have been approved by Wakefield Council. LDRS image

Care home to be built at fire-damaged former school site

A new bandstand is to be installed in Carr Lodge Park in Horbury after Wakefield Council have the go-ahead to Horbury Civic Society's proposals.

Barbara Hepworth-inspired bandstand design for historic park divides opinion

Pontefract Swimming Pool on Stuart Road closed in 2021.

Offer made to buy former Yorkshire swimming pool site left vacant for five years

Jonathan Power (second from right), chair of the Broad Cut Against Development (BAD) action group, spoke against the Broad Cut Farm development in February 2026.

Broad Cut Farm: Appeal launched over refusal of business park and housing scheme

The former Wood Street Police Station, in Wakefield city centre, has been converted into 33 apartments. Image: Wakefield Civic Society

What happened to Yorkshire’s old police stations?

Residents and councillors have started a campaign to save two historic chapels in Knottingley Cemetery

Call to save Yorkshire town’s 160-year-old twin cemetery chapels

Agbrigg Road in Wakefield

Wakefield railway bridge works among latest traffic restrictions
A series of road and footpath closures are being introduced across the Wakefield district for railway bridge, resurfacing, utility and water works.
The Yorkshire Post

The former NHS office building in Wakefield city centre is to be converted into an apartment block. Image: HMS Town Planning & Urban Design

Former Wakefield NHS office block to be converted into apartments

Plans to upgrade South Elmsall Market have been submitted to Wakefield Council.

Plans lodged to rebuild ‘not fit for purpose’ South Elmsall Market

Wakefield Council has launched a public consultation on its home-to-school transport policy.

School transport policy under review amid increased demand and spiralling costs

Wakefield Council has approved proposals to turn Hightown Parish Church All Saints in Castleford into a family home.

Former 19th church in Castleford to be converted into family home

Proposals to build a bungalow on the car park of The Plough Inn, Warmfield, have been approved by Wakefield Council.

Bungalow plans for village pub car park approved

The Star Inn, Kirkhamgate, Wakefield. LDRS image

The Star Inn: Outdoor gigs stopped at village pub

Councillors have voted in favour of plans to build up to 104 houses on land off Mayfields Way, South Kirkby.

Flood risk concerns raised as councillors approve 100 homes plan

The Star Inn, Kirkhamgate, Wakefield

Outdoor gigs stopped at Yorkshire village pub as part of beer garden bar plan

Sharlston Community School, in Wakefield.

School reveals plan to create new classrooms inside shipping containers

Persimmon Homes has applied to Wakefield Council to build up to 104 homes on agricultural land off Mayfields Way, South Kirkby. Google image

Plan to build over 100 homes next to town’s cricket club r

Plans have been approved to convert the former Elm Chapel building in South Elmsall into a community centre and offices.

Former church to be converted into community centre and offices in Wakefield
Plans have been approved to convert a former church into a community centre and offices.
Tony Gardner

An appeal hearing has been scheduled over Wakefield Council's decision to to refuse proposals to build 164 homes on farmland near to Pope Street, Altofts.

Altofts: Appeal hearing to be held over 164-home plan refusal

Aerial view of Wakefield city centre

How Wakefield could become ‘the best place to do business in the North'

Knottingley Town Hall

Council asked to fund urgent repairs to Knottingley Town Hall

Kings Arms, Heath Common, Wakefield.

Historic pub to get upgrade including new bar and pizza kitchen

Members of environmental group Just Transition Wakefield gathered outside Wakefield Town Hall ahead of the council's cabinet meeting on Tuesday July 21. LDRS image

Council abandons net zero targets as environment groups speak out

A specialist school for 120 children is set to open at the Wakefield Regional Fire Control Centre building, which was built at a cost of £14m but never used.

‘A fantastic asset’: £10m SEND school plan at former fire centre given go-ahead

County Hall, Wakefield.

Wakefield’s County Hall: Council agrees to foot £14m County Hall repair bill

The proposed new railway bridge at Weldon Road, Castleford, would include pedestrian footpaths and cycleways. Image: WYCA

Castleford rail bridge scheme to get £5m boost

Castleford Civic Centre. LDRS image

Plans to demolish civic centre for SEND facilities given green light

Aerial view of Wakefield city centre

Council set to scrap net zero targets and cut climate change budget by £170,000

County Hall, Wakefield.

Repair bill for ‘structurally weak’ Grade I-listed building rises above £14m

Louise Lupton, Wakefield Council's head of service for access to education, and Matthew Caton, cabinet member for children and young people, outside the former Wakefield Regional Fire Control Centre

New £10m school plan at former fire control centre set for green light

Plans have been approved to convert a vacant listed building on Bond Street, in Wakefield city centre, into a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) for nine people.

Listed former solicitor’s office to be converted into HMO

Aldi has submitted plans to for a new supermarket in Ossett. The retailer wants to build the store at brownfield site at Royds Mill, off Leeds Road. Google image

Ossett: Aldi submits plans for new store

Plans to transform a village sports pavilion on Balk Lane in Netherton into a community hub have been submitted to Wakefield Council.

Village sports pavilion set to be transformed into new community hub

Woolley Hall

Woolley Hall: Council-owned mansion up for auction with £1.2m guide price

Jon Trickett, MP for Normanton and Hemsworth.

Planning inspector urges MP to raise £30m waste site costs at Westminster

Bradford Council has pledged to repair 20,000 potholes by April 2027.

Council to buy 'super pothole machines' to improve roads after £3m funding

Taylor Wimpey has confirmed it expects to submit plans to Wakefield Council to build up to 250 homes on land off Asdale Road in Durkar

Plans for 250 homes opposite Pugneys Country Park concerns MP

Kate Dodd, Green Party councillor for Wakefield North ward.

Environmentalists critical of Reform’s decision to undeclare climate emergency

Adele Teale, 59, has been ordered to remove the 4kg resin figure from outside her two bedroom terraced home within four weeks or face legal action and a fine.

Watch moment gorilla statue to removed from Yorkshire home after council ruling

The Graziers pub, Market Street, Wakefield, in 2009.

Former city centre pub to be turned into HMO

Persimmon Homes has earmarked a 10.5-hectare site off Highfield Road, in Hemsworth, for 185 houses. Google images

Plans expected for 185 homes across farmland and football pitches

Plans to convert the old Westfield Congregational Church in Horbury into flats have been approved by Wakefield Council.

‘Eyesore’ former Methodist church to be converted into apartments

Milner Homes been granted permission to bulldoze Poplar Farm, in Kirkhamgate, in Wakefield, to build nine homes.

‘Landmark’ village farmhouse to be demolished to make way for new homes

Parents and children have launched a campaign to get a new playground near to their homes in Knottingley.

Parents and kids campaign for new playground in Knottingley

Adele Teale.

Defiant homeowner loses battle to keep 'landmark' gorilla statue

A new public inquiry date over an application to extend the life of a waste recycling site at Hacking Lane, South Elmsall has been set for June 30

New date set for public inquiry over ‘putrid’ waste site extension

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