Kirklees Council offloads more assets as much-loved Batley Baths sold
Two more council assets have been sold off in the past few months including the much-loved Batley Baths.
At the height of Kirklees Council’s financial difficulties in 2023/24, the local authority brought in some tough money saving measures to tackle the £47m black hole in its budget.
Among them, the sale of assets considered surplus to requirements.
Several properties have since been offloaded including pieces of Kirklees’ history like the Grade II listed former Red House Museum in Gomersal.
In recent months, more assets have been earmarked for disposal as the council looked to raise more cash.
To the dismay of the community, Batley Baths was one of the properties to be sold.
Campaigners voiced fears that communities in areas like Dewsbury and Batley are being “left behind” when it comes to investment.
Two expressions of interest were made for a Community Asset Transfer but each fell through.
Cabinet member for Finance and Regeneration, Coun Graham Turner, said that decisions to offload council property are “carefully reviewed and thought through”, with the income generated “vital” in supporting the Capital Plan, reducing borrowing and investing in projects.
He said the council had explored “all options” before making a final decision on Batley Baths.
Below are the council assets sent to auction between November 2025 and January 2026.
The Children’s Place, Netherfield Road, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF13 3JY – £306,000
Batley Baths, Cambridge Street, Batley, West Yorkshire WF17 5JH – £318,000
When the council announced that the baths would be sold, it also set out several other assets it wanted to offload, though these are yet to go under the hammer. They are:
- Land at former Bradley tip, Brighouse, HD6 3UH
- Block of garages Knaresborough Drive, Fartown, Huddersfield, HD2
- Land at Mill Lane, former Hanging Heaton Youth Club, Mill Lane Batley WF17 6DZ
- Former Turnsteads Community Centre, Turnsteads Drive, Cleckheaton, BD19
- Red Laithes Court, Red Laithes Lane, Ravensthorpe, WF13 3EU
- Havelock Street, Ravensthorpe, WF13 3LU
- 162-164 Blacker Road, Birkby, Huddersfield, HD1 5HH
- Land at Sycamore Lane, New Mill, Holmfirth, HD97TQ
- Land at Halifax Road, Tanhouse Lane, Liversedge, WF15 6NU
- Land at the junction of Lockwood Road and St. Stephens Road, Lockwood, Huddersfield, HD1 3QX [if no community group has expressed interest in a transfer within six months]
- Land at Maple Street, Aspley, Huddersfield, HD5 9AX