‘A massive gamble’: Council ordered to rethink plan to demolish The Ridings Shopping Centre
Council leaders have been told to reconsider plans to buy and demolish The Ridings Shopping Centre in Wakefield.
A scrutiny committee took the rare step of referring proposals back to the Labour-run authority’s cabinet at a meeting on Wednesday (March 11).
Senior councillors last month agreed to acquire the 1980s-built centre to make way for a multi-million pound regeneration project.
Plans include building new homes and leisure facilities as part of a scheme expected to take over a decade to complete.The work also involves bulldozing 1960s residential
tower blocks as part of the creation of a new ‘Cathedral Quarter.’Following the decision, opposition councillors submitted a formal request for it to be re-examined over claims
there had been a lack of public consultation.
They also claimed the project would pose a “financial risk” for the authority.
The council’s regeneration overview and scrutiny committee narrowly voted in favour of sending the plans back to cabinet.
Committee member Rachel Speak, Liberal Democrat councillor for Knottingley, described the plans as a “massive gamble” as she spoke at the meeting at Wakefield Town Hall.
She said: “The wider regeneration relies heavily on future funding streams that have not yet been secured.
“If those funding streams are delayed, reduced or do not materialise at all, the council could be left owning a cleared city centre site with significant ongoing costs and no clear route to delivery.”
Coun Speak added: “Every member of this committee has a duty to scrutinise this proposal carefully, regardless of political party, and to ensure that the decision made by cabinet has been properly considered.
“We are here to do a job – to scrutinise. This call-in is not about stopping regeneration.
“Wakefield city centre does need regeneration. But regeneration must be done the right way – transparently, responsibly and with the confidence of the people it affects.
“At the end of the day, this city does not belong to cabinet members, officers or developers.
“It belongs to the people of Wakefield.”
The first phase of the project is being funded through £17.9m from the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government (MHCLG).
The council previously planned to buy the centre but backed out of making a deal in December 2022.
The centre was then bought by Yorkshire-based businessman Zahid Iqbal.
In January, Marks & Spencer announced it would be moving out of The Ridings and opening a new food hall on the outskirts of the city centre.
Primark is also expected to leave the centre later this year.
Jack Hemingway, deputy leader of the council and portfolio holder for regeneration and economic growth, told the meeting: “I welcome the comments and questions because it gives us an opportunity to address some of the concerns that people have.”
Responding to some of the issues raised during the two-hour long meeting, Coun Hemingway said: “This project is vitally important to the future of Wakefield.
“We know that high streets across the country are facing significant challenges.
“We don’t have to look far to see that Wakefield is no exception.
“Without significant change, without significantly diversifying what’s on offer, the decline will continue. It will get worse.
“I honestly believe that this project is the right way forward and was subject to a robust and proper decision by cabinet.
“It is essential for the future prosperity of our city and wider district.
“Throughout this process, the residents and business affected will remain our number one priority.”
The committee voted in favour of referring the decision by a majority of 4-3.
Cabinet members will reconsider the proposals at a meeting on March 17 and are expected to address the concerns raised by the committee.