Batley regeneration project delayed to 2028 amid council frustration

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 14:38 · Archive

The £14.5m Batley Blueprint regeneration project is now targeting completion in March 2028, having been extended from an original 2026 deadline.

The Batley Blueprint project, funded by £12m from the government's Levelling Up Fund plus money from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Kirklees Council, aims to create a better-connected town centre focused on Market Place, Commercial Street and Brunswick Street. It is now targeting completion in March 2028, having been extended from an original 2026 deadline when the government allowed more time to complete the work.

Frustration has grown among councillors and local businesses over the delays. The Commercial Link – a landscaped route with ramps, steps and public art connecting Tesco car park to Commercial Street – has 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 he was 'hugely disappointed' with the lack of progress and communication from the council. He told the council's Growth and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel that local businesses have put investment on hold while waiting to see what work will be carried out and for how long. He demanded: 'Please do not deliver a Temu version of the regeneration.'

How it is being reported

• Watch: Delayed Batley town centre revamp sees frustration grow as councillor makes demandA councillor is demanding that Kirklees Council “delivers what it promised” for Batley, as huge disappointment remains around the town’s delayed regeneration plans.Dewsbury Reporter · 19 Oct, 18:28
• Councillor's four-word demand over 'Temu' future of Batley as frustration growsOne element of the original plans has been axed altogetherHuddersfield Examiner · 19 Oct, 04:00

In this story: Batley · Kirklees Council · West Yorkshire Combined Authority · Akhtar Kasia

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