City's waterfront plans approved

Wakefield's waterfront area is the first project in the city's revamp

Detailed plans for the first phase of Wakefield's £100m waterfront regeneration have been approved.

The designs include conservation and restoration work on the Grade II listed Calder and Hebble Navigation warehouse to provide office space and flats.

Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund are contributing £13.5m towards the cost of the project.

Council deputy leader Phil Dobson said it was fantastic news for the city.

Renaissance programme

"This further piece of the jigsaw means that all of the funding is in place and work will definitely start next year," he said.

"This is a very exciting time for Wakefield as this will be the first major regeneration project to get under way."

The overall scheme by developers CTP St James covers 10 acres and includes a mix of office, residential and leisure buildings as well as the £20m Hepworth Gallery.

A master plan for Wakefield, drawn up by Yorkshire Forward and Wakefield Council as part of the renaissance programme, has identified a range of projects to be completed over the next 25 years.