Last chance to have your say of £25m Dewsbury plan

People have until November 30 2020 to complete an online survey to set out their priorities for Dewsbury.

Hundreds of surveys and comments as part of the Our Town Dewsbury consultation have been submitted with priorities raised so far including access to skills, jobs and education opportunities, regenerating the high street and town centre, and art, music and creative industries.

Councillor Peter McBride, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “We have received a brilliant response to the Our Town Dewsbury consultation so far. With £25m of investment available, this is an opportunity to build on our blueprint ambitions and deliver major economic growth and regeneration in Dewsbury.

“We need to know what matters to local people, so that we can secure the funding to deliver on our shared aspirations, the more views we gather the stronger our case is for achieving funding for key projects across the town”.

The Towns Fund would contribute to the economic development and regeneration of the area, and help support the ambitious Dewsbury Blueprint. Revitalising Dewsbury Market, re-opening the arcade, and delivering a new central park are among the projects that could benefit should the town receive the £25 million government funding.

Coun Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council and Interim Chair of Dewsbury Town Board said: “The board is committed to working with local communities, businesses and residents on developing the direction for spending the Towns Funds money available from Government.

"Both the council and the board are enthusiastic about the potential for making Dewsbury a destination where people want to work, live and visit. It is essential that as many people as possible share their views at this early stage so that we can develop a plan that meets local needs and ambitions.”

Following the consultation, The Dewsbury Town Board will use the feedback to draft the Town Investment Plan, which will include the selected projects to benefit from the Fund.

This will be submitted to Government in early 2021 for approval.