(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
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A councillor is demanding a council "delivers what it promised" - as huge disappointment remains around a town’s delayed regeneration plans.
The £14.5 million Batley Blueprint project is underpinned by £12 million from the Government's Levelling Up Fund and cash from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Kirklees Council.
Its aim is to create a better-connected, vibrant town centre, and much of the development is focused around Market Place, Commercial Street and Brunswick Street.
When will it be complete?
The development is now looking at a completion date target of March 2028, with work due to start on-site next year.
The council was initially told it had to complete the scheme by 2026 in order to keep the Levelling Up cash, but the Government extended the time frame to 2028.
Frustrations have grown as a result of the delays, as was made clear by some elected members when the matter was discussed last month.
Disappointment at lack of progress
Kirklees Council's Growth and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel also heard that the Commercial Link – a landscaped route, complete with ramps, steps and public art celebrating Batley connecting Tesco car park to Commercial Street – has been been axed from the plans.
It is now more than a year since final designs were approved following multiple rounds of public consultation.
Cllr Akhtar Kasia (Kirklees Independents, Batley West) said: "I'm hugely disappointed with the lack of progress, lack of communication from the council and the lack of information from the council as well.
"A lot of businesses up here tell me that they’ve put a lot of investment on hold because they want to see what work is going to be carried out and for how long."
When asked what his main message was for Kirklees Council, he added: "Please do not deliver a Temu version of the regeneration.
"Whatever you have promised, what was on the plan – the actual plan – we need that."
Reform UK top councillor comments
Cabinet member for regeneration, highways and transport, Cllr John Hardie (Reform), reaffirmed the council's commitment to delivering the investment and regeneration for Batley and said that the local authority is out for a contractor to deliver the scheme.
He said: "We've reviewed the plans and are reshaping our approach to ensure it delivers the best outcomes for Batley. This isn't about scaling back our ambitions.
"Our vision remains in making the town centre more vibrant and better connected, and making sure public spaces are welcoming for everyone who lives, works or visits.
"We want to make it a destination for people to meet, socialise, explore the great businesses and celebrate the town's rich heritage.
"Regeneration projects of this scale take time, and it's important that we get the plans right.
"While progress may not always be visible immediately, work is ongoing and we hope to be able to share further updates soon and start work on-site in 2027."