Friday, March 02, 2024
New vision for Huddersfield's waterfront approved
A radical new vision for Huddersfield's waterfront, featuring one of the largest urban renewal projects in the country, has been given the go-ahead. The £175 million Waterfront Quarter development in Huddersfield, which will occupy almost one mile of frontage to the River Colne and The Huddersfield Narrow Canal at the gateway to the Colne Valley, has been approved by Kirklees councillors.
Ramsden and Colne Developments' imaginative scheme will provide 817,000 sq ft of prestigious mixed-use buildings within an iconic setting with the potential of creating up to 2,000 jobs for one of the UK's largest towns.
This decision follows hard on the heels of the go-ahead to transform Folly Hall Mills, an historic mill on the banks of the River Colne, into 60,000 sq ft of modern, state-of-the-art offices. Together these projects will revitalise Huddersfield's waterfront, creating an attractive living and working environment for the 21st century.
Paul Sheen of Ramsden and Colne Developments explained: "We are absolutely delighted that our Waterfront Quarter development has been given the green light. We have worked extremely closely with Kirklees Metropolitan Council, together with British Waterways, English Heritage, Huddersfield Civic Society and The Canal Society, to ensure that we have created a workable development of which we can all be very proud.
"This is one of the most important developments in the recent history of Huddersfield and it was crucial that we get it completely right. It will lead to massive inward investment and job creation and will underline Huddersfield's growing reputation as one of the most attractive places in which to live and work in the United Kingdom."
The Waterfront Quarter development features nearly 300,000 sq ft of state-of-the-art offices and 460,000 sq ft of residential space, together with a hotel, gym, crèche, cafes and restaurants.
Paul Sheen commented: "We are aiming to make a start on the first phase of the residential part of the development in spring next year, with a 12-month build period. This will comprise 200 high-quality, affordable apartments in a beautiful setting. Given Huddersfield's reputation as a residential property hotspot, these apartments present an unparalleled investment opportunity.
"The excellent location of Huddersfield, situated between Leeds and Manchester in the heart of West Yorkshire, has played a key part in the town's prosperity in the past - and it is crucially relevant today. Survey after survey has identified the town as a top residential location, providing quality urban living at affordable prices. It is also a thriving university and professional town, underpinning its buoyant residential reputation."
The major part of the site is occupied by Sellers Engineers Limited, whose Chairman David Armitage is also Chairman of Ramsden and Colne Developments. Plans are now well-advanced for Sellers to relocate to purpose-built premises in the Huddersfield area.
The go-ahead for the transformation of Folly Hall Mills, which looks across the River Colne towards the Ramsden and Colne's site, will provide the fourth side of the development's square. Owners Bradbury Investments are hoping to start on site in spring next year, with completion 12 months later.
The Ramsden and Colne team, which includes Knight Frank property consultants and DLG Architects, are also working closely with Kirklees Metropolitan Council who also own and occupy part of the 12-acre site.
It is estimated that the transformation of the site will take up to four years.
Ramsden and Colne Developments' imaginative scheme will provide 817,000 sq ft of prestigious mixed-use buildings within an iconic setting with the potential of creating up to 2,000 jobs for one of the UK's largest towns.
This decision follows hard on the heels of the go-ahead to transform Folly Hall Mills, an historic mill on the banks of the River Colne, into 60,000 sq ft of modern, state-of-the-art offices. Together these projects will revitalise Huddersfield's waterfront, creating an attractive living and working environment for the 21st century.
Paul Sheen of Ramsden and Colne Developments explained: "We are absolutely delighted that our Waterfront Quarter development has been given the green light. We have worked extremely closely with Kirklees Metropolitan Council, together with British Waterways, English Heritage, Huddersfield Civic Society and The Canal Society, to ensure that we have created a workable development of which we can all be very proud.
"This is one of the most important developments in the recent history of Huddersfield and it was crucial that we get it completely right. It will lead to massive inward investment and job creation and will underline Huddersfield's growing reputation as one of the most attractive places in which to live and work in the United Kingdom."
The Waterfront Quarter development features nearly 300,000 sq ft of state-of-the-art offices and 460,000 sq ft of residential space, together with a hotel, gym, crèche, cafes and restaurants.
Paul Sheen commented: "We are aiming to make a start on the first phase of the residential part of the development in spring next year, with a 12-month build period. This will comprise 200 high-quality, affordable apartments in a beautiful setting. Given Huddersfield's reputation as a residential property hotspot, these apartments present an unparalleled investment opportunity.
"The excellent location of Huddersfield, situated between Leeds and Manchester in the heart of West Yorkshire, has played a key part in the town's prosperity in the past - and it is crucially relevant today. Survey after survey has identified the town as a top residential location, providing quality urban living at affordable prices. It is also a thriving university and professional town, underpinning its buoyant residential reputation."
The major part of the site is occupied by Sellers Engineers Limited, whose Chairman David Armitage is also Chairman of Ramsden and Colne Developments. Plans are now well-advanced for Sellers to relocate to purpose-built premises in the Huddersfield area.
The go-ahead for the transformation of Folly Hall Mills, which looks across the River Colne towards the Ramsden and Colne's site, will provide the fourth side of the development's square. Owners Bradbury Investments are hoping to start on site in spring next year, with completion 12 months later.
The Ramsden and Colne team, which includes Knight Frank property consultants and DLG Architects, are also working closely with Kirklees Metropolitan Council who also own and occupy part of the 12-acre site.
It is estimated that the transformation of the site will take up to four years.
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