Elland Future High Streets

Key details

Improving Elland town centre funded by UK Government.

Think you know Elland? Think again.

Current status

Concept Completed
Development Completed
Construction Completed
Evaluation In Progress

Plans

A new high street for Elland

In 2024 we completed the project to transform Elland town centre with more than £6m of funding from the UK Government. We upgraded Elland town centre with attractive places to be, and improved amenities for people who live or work in, or visit the town.

We have added natural features to public spaces. This investment was designed to deliver a thriving market town which is vibrant, safe and a great place to spend time.

Key themes include:

Iconography of the high street

Interventions that enhanced access to a range of good quality independent traders and new entrepreneurial, retail, culture, leisure and social opportunities.

Living streets

By pedestrianising the core Southgate area and making improvements to the public realm, we have made it easier to navigate the high street, increased feelings of safety and provided places for people to linger, with things to see and do in the heart of the town.

Harmonious connectivity

We have changed road layouts, reducing the width of carriageways, introduced new and wider pavements, and improved access to the high street.

Benefits

We are,

  • investing in physical infrastructure,
  • improving access to transport, and improving traffic flow and circulation, and
  • supporting change of use and adaptation of the high street.

Design

Our plans were based on feedback from residents and businesses collected over a number of years. We’ve aimed to create a thriving town with an improved layout and feel. We wanted to protect and enhance the many heritage elements of the town, in line with its status as a conservation area.

The plans factored in the benefits which will be felt from the creation of brand-new rail station for Elland, improved options for walking, cycling and catching the bus, and for greener, faster and easier ways to get around.

The Elland Future High Streets project was made of four parts:

Market Square

Over £1million was invested to improve the area which hosts the market, recognising its long history: Elland first hosted a market in the 12th century.

We laid local stone flags and anchor points for the Elland Charter Market. Victoria Gardens now features natural and artistic features and places to sit, relax and socialise.

Planting and trees in Victoria Gardens.

 

The new public space next to the site of Elland Charter Market features planting, sustainable drainage and places to sit.

 

Red, wooden sculptural elements and natural in Elland make the space visually interesting and tactile.

 

Planting and high quality seating in Victoria Gardens in Elland.

 

View of proposals for Victoria Gardens (front) and Southgate Market (towards the top).

Heart of the High Street

We improved signage, lighting, and the street environment in response to feedback that people told us we should make the area feel safe and attractive. We pedestrianised the main shopping street using local stone flags, anti-skid surface treatments and cobbles. There are wider pavements and better crossings, and we have added places to sit, soft landscaping, and street trees.

People on Southgate. Now pedestrianised to allow more space for people to walk, push prams and enjoy the town centre.

 

A smart metal and wooden bench outside shops in Elland.

 

New planting and landscaping act as welcoming gateways to the High Street in Elland.

 

View north along Southgate. Visualisation of proposed layout.

Southgate

We have added a curved focus area and connected it to the Southgate Square to extend and upgrade the public space. The  new seating area creates a space for residents, shoppers and visitors to rest, meet and take part in events at the revitalised Southgate Square.

We paved Southgate Square with local stone flags and cobbles with feature patterning, and introduced soft landscaping and street trees for sustainable drainage.

People walk through Southgate Square. The square has new paving, planting, seating, and more space for events.

 

The extended Southgate Square and pedestrianised section of Southgate.

 

View from Southgate of the car park, the street and the square. The car park has 17 bays and small landscaped section. Visualisation of proposed layout.

Around Southgate Square, we added planting and trees, and improved seating and access for pedestrians. We retained 16 parking bays in the Coronation Street car park, with two extra parking spaces created on the adjacent road. 

New disability parking and drop-off bays on Coronation Street and a ramped footpath provide safe and step-free access to the high street. 

We have improved Coronation Street car park with wider and disabled-compliant parking spaces, step-free access, cycle racks and enhanced green space with a wildflower meadow, tree trees and hedges.

Elland Community Hub

We worked with the Cartwheel Club to upgrade the building with new facilities. We refurbished the building to create the Elland Community Hub. The hub opened in May 2024 and is used for events, meetings, office space, and bringing people together.

The entrance to Elland Community Hub.
 

Inside the Elland Community Hub refurbished to a high spec with new lighting, windows, heating and windows.

 

Inside, the community hub has been designed to cater for a variety of uses.

 

Progress

12 September 2024

🎉 Elland Future High Streets project complete.

The £6 million transformation of Elland town centre is now complete, ensuring it remains a thriving, safe and enjoyable place to spend time.

The completion of work at Southgate was the final step for the project, which was made possible with over £6 million of funding from the UK Government.

Representatives from Calderdale Council and the contractor, Eric Wright Civil Engineering, marked the occasion with a visit to see the transformation first-hand in August 2024 reviewing the work at the Market, on the main high street, and at the new d Community Hub.

July 2024

The much-anticipated Elland Community Hub opened its doors to the public on Saturday 4 May 2024. The grand opening day was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony: Rugby League player Gareth Widdop was invited to do the honours. People from Elland and the surrounding area attended the event.

The event was a testament to the community spirit of Elland, with a large turnout eager to explore the new space. The building was a hive of activity right up until the event to ensure everything was ready for the grand opening.

The new building has now been formally handed over to the Elland Community Hub committee. The committee has plans to use the hub as a venue for events and meetings, and offer office space. The hub is expected to become a vibrant place for connection and collaboration right in the heart of Elland.

The opening of the Community Hub marks a significant milestone in the Elland Future High Streets project. It will become a symbol of community spirit in Elland. The hub is set to be a beacon for community engagement and is expected to play a crucial role in the future growth and development of Elland.

This latest milestone comes weeks after the new, improved Elland market opened as part of the same project. Elland Future High Streets is a £6 million transformation of Elland town centre funded by UK Government.

 

25 June 2024

As we near completion of the Future High Streets project, we’ve been applying fresh surfacing in Elland. An anti-skid treatment will be applied to all new areas of Southgate in July.

Work in progress on Southgate in Elland. The new surface has been applied to the road.

New benches have been installed in Southgate Square.

Example of the new street furniture in Southgate Square, high quality metal and wooden benches.

The new black road surface has been applied to Huddersfield Road. An anti-skid surface treatment will be applied. The finish of the completed surface will better complement the paving.

New black road surface and road markings on Huddersfield Road next to the new planting at Victoria Gardens.

The planting at Victoria Gardens is complete. Temporary barriers offer the plants a chance to bed in and will be removed shortly. Surfacing has been applied to Town Hall Street.

Temporary barriers with new planting and trees behind them. Newly laid road surface and road markings along Town Hall Street.

 

24 May 2024

We’re listening.

A statutory Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) consultation started this week and will run until 13 June 2024. We’re asking people for feedback on proposed changes to vehicle access, on-street parking and loading/waiting restrictions in and around the town centre. Visit Current TROs on the Calderdale Council website for more information, or email proposedtro@calderdale.gov.uk.

February 2024

The weekly Elland market will now return to the Market Square area of the town, following works to make the area welcoming, vibrant and a great place to spend time.

Read: A bright new future for historic market.

17 January 2024

We’re listening.

An informal Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) consultation started this week and will run through until 7 February 2024. We’re asking people for feedback on proposals for new loading bays and restrictions to on-street parking bays in and around the town centre. Visit Current TROs on the Calderdale Council website for more information, or email proposedtro@calderdale.gov.uk.

9 January 2024

We’re upgrading the Cartwheel Club to create a new community hub in the heart of Elland. So far, all roofing works are complete, the main building has been repointed, and the foundations have been laid for an extension. The extension will house the new accessible lift.

Inside the building, new internal walls are in place and services have been installed. We have replaced the ceiling after it was found to be unstable. New windows are due to be fitted in the coming weeks.

20 December 2023

Work is on schedule in Elland. Eric Wright Civil Engineering have been making progress preparing sections of the highway and installing new paving.

Southgate Cross

These new kerbs and Scoutmoor paving have been installed at Southgate Cross. Scoutmoor paving is strong, durable and slip-resistant. The highway area in this image is being prepared for the installation of granite paving.

New paving in place outside the Savile Arms in Elland. The carriageway has been dug up to prepare for further work.
New Scoutmoor paving in place outside the Savile Arms in Elland. The carriageway has been dug up to prepare for further work.
Completed installation of high quality Scoutmoor paving.
Completed installation of high quality Scoutmoor paving.

Market Square

Eric Wright Civil Engineering have completed installation of Scoutmoor paving around Elland Rock in Market Square.

Close-up of paving installation around Elland Rock.
Close-up of paving installation around Elland Rock.

Eric Wright Civil Engineering have started to install the Scoutmoor paving at Market Square. This area will be landscaped. Plants and trees will be added to make this green and pleasant area in the heart of Elland.

Newly installed paving. The paving surrounds an area which will be landscaped.
Newly installed paving. The paving surrounds an area which will be landscaped. 

Detail of block paving with inlays and the new tarmac base course for the carpark and stalls at the Market Square.

New block paving and tarmac base course in place as work progresses on the Market Square.
New block paving and tarmac base course in place as work progresses on the Market Square.

 

Detail of block paving for parking and disabled bays in Market Square near the Old Fire Station Cafe.
Detail of block paving for parking and disabled bays in Market Square near the Old Fire Station Cafe.

September 2023

Work to transform Elland has taken a major step forward with contractors now in place.

Eric Wright Civil Engineering will be delivering the following three projects:

  • Market Square
  • Heart of the High Street
  • Southgate

Survey work will take place this month, with construction due to start in October.

Code Building Solutions have been appointed to upgrade the Cartwheel Club, creating a new community hub in the heart of Elland. The team are now on site with the work due to be finished in early 2024. 

22 May 2023

We reveal new plans for Elland town centre based on local feedback. 

Earlier this year, the Council held an engagement event in the centre of Elland to gather feedback on options for the Southgate area, specifically plans for the Coronation Street car park.

We've collated feedback from the event, as well as further comments from residents and local businesses and we've revised proposals for the area.

May 2023

We’ve removed the bandstand from Southgate Square, ready for when work starts on the Elland Future High Streets project.

The proposed new layout of Southgate Square is more open and flexible. We’ve designed the space to make it easy to stage events in a wide range of formats.

The bandstand will be placed in storage, refurbished, and returned to Elland at a later stage.

20 March 2023

On Saturday we shared options for Coronation Street car park (which currently provides 26 parking spaces) with people who came to our event at Southgate Methodist Church. At the event we shared 3 design options for the area around the car park and Southgate Square.

You can rate the options and provide feedback. All you need to do is take part in our survey by Sunday 2 April 2023.  We would love to know what you think.

We’re planning improvements to public spaces and the addition of natural features. This is an investment designed to deliver a thriving market town which is vibrant, safe and a great place to spend time.

We will:

  • improve the appearance of Elland high street by reducing hard surfaces and planting trees and greenery,
  • replace dated and broken paving with new stone paving,
  • create a high street that will attract visitors, and
  • create a safe high street where pedestrians have priority and can have a pleasant shopping experience.

Option A

Option A brings planting and trees to the high street, improves access onto Southgate for pedestrians and creates a seating area that complements the improved Southgate Square. This option retains 17 parking bays (with an extra 2 parking spaces available in the turning head) at Coronation Street car park.

The proposals include new disability parking and drop-off bays on Coronation Street with a ramped footpath providing safe access to the high street.

There is a semi-circular seat wall that forms a spectator’s area for events taking place in the square.

A bird's eye view of the car park, the street and the square. The car park has 17 bays and small landscaped section.
A bird's eye view of the car park, the street and the square. The car park has 17 bays and small landscaped section.

Option B

Option B brings more green space into the town centre while retaining nearly half of the parking bays at Coronation Street. From Southgate, rather than looking into a car park the view will be improved with trees and greenery. This option retains 12 parking bays (with an extra 2 parking spaces available in the turning head) at Coronation Street car park.

The proposals include new disability parking and drop-off bays on Coronation Street with a ramped footpath providing safe access to the high street.

There is a semi-circular seat wall that forms a spectator’s area for events taking place in the square.

A bird's eye view of the car park, the street and the square. The car park has 12 bays and a landscaped area.
A bird's eye view of the car park, the street and the square. The car park has 12 bays and a landscaped area.

Option C

Option C shows how it could look if the car park is removed and replaced with trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and grass. A green space is created for residents and visitors, bringing nature into the heart of the high street. This option allows for 2 parking spaces available in the turning head.

The proposals include new disability parking and drop-off bays on Coronation Street with a ramped footpath providing safe access to the high street.

There is a semi-circular seat wall that forms a spectator’s area for events taking place in the square.

Bird's eye view of the amenity space, and inter-connected space that can be used for events all year round.
Bird's eye view of the amenity space, and inter-connected space that can be used for events all year round.

Take part in our survey to rate each option and tell us what you think.

13 March 2023

Event showcases new plans to transform the centre of Elland

We’ll be sharing the proposals for Elland onSaturday 18 March 2023 from 10am to 5pm at Southgate Methodist Church, Langdale Street, Elland, HX5 0JL. 

Come and meet the team and let us know your thoughts. We’d like to speak to as many people as possible.

We’ll also be sharing options for Coronation Street car park.

If you can’t make it, you can request a summary of proposals to be sent to you shortly after the event. Just email your request to thenextchapter@calderdale.gov.uk.

October 2022

Work to transform Elland town centre is moving forward, with planning applications for some of the improvements due to be submitted this autumn.

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Town, Engagement and Public Health, Cllr Sarah Courtney, said:

“Elland has a rich history, with culture and character and we want to make the most of the many distinctive features of this well-established market town.

“I’m excited about the vision for the town, with once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunities creating welcoming spaces and improving the look and feel of the town.

“Careful consideration has been given to the plans, which have been shaped by feedback from local people. We’re confident they will have a really positive impact on the town, making the most of its existing assets to make it a more attractive destination for shoppers, visitors and residents alike.”

The next steps for the project include the submission of planning applications for the introduction of green space on Coronation Street, including landscaping and seating facilities and for an extension to the Cartwheel Club. These are due to be submitted in the next few months and once live will be published on the Council’s planning portal, where people can comment on the detailed plans.

February 2022

The project is now in the development stage.

We have appointed consultants Turner & Townsend to deliver the project. Next steps for the project include:

  • ground investigation surveys 
  • release of the tender for construction

We have updated the Plans section of this page with project details and up-to-date visualisations.

May 2021

Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government confirm funding for the project.

Read the government announcement: More high streets set for funding boost as reopening accelerates

Read the news: Multi-million pound boost for Elland and Halifax 

July 2020

The Full Business Case (FBC) was submitted. We hope to hear whether we have been successful in our bid in December 2020.

May 2020

We undertook a consultation exercise in May 2020 and the feedback from this was used to produce a Full Business Case (FBC).

Conclusions

The most popular responses from the survey results are as follows:

Best strengths of Elland:

  • Shops and businesses
  • Accessibility

Weaknesses of Elland:

  • Poor retail offering / lack of quality / no banks
  • Derelict and empty buildings
  • Declining footfall
  • Anti-social behaviour

Biggest challenges for Elland:

  • Attracting people to come to Elland
  • Empty shops / poor visual impact
  • Lack of support for small businesses trying to set up in
  • Elland
  • Anti-social behaviour

Features that members of the public wanted to encourage

  • Event spaces
  • Trees and planting

Type of housing most needed

  • Old buildings converted into apartments
  • Homes for first time buyers

Priority of the projects in the scheme

  • Pedestrianising Southgate
  • Restoring and upgrading shop fronts
  • Market and multi purpose space adjacent to the Town Hall

Design features for a safer high street

  • Link lighting design and CCTV (security cameras)
  • Well lit walking and cycle routes

Key economic benefits of the High Street proposal most important to the public

  • Shopping and retail offer
  • Economic investment to the area

Overview

Overall, the proposals have received a positive response. Many members of the public and stakeholders have expressed their excitement at the design and a much needed investment for the town.

Key themes that occur throughout this consultation process include:

  • How to get people to visit and come to Elland
  • The lack of shops and entertainment facilities
  • Anti-social behaviour

Numerous members of the public expressed knowledge of surrounding towns where they felt Elland could work in a similar way. These included Hebden Bridge, West Vale, Sowerby Bridge, Brighouse.

There was also requests to see Elland hold more events. These included artisan markets, continental markets, food & drink festivals, music events, cafés/bars/cultural feel. There was even the suggestion that the Town Hall could be a great music venue!

It is clear from the survey the local people of Elland want to live in a town they can be proud of and many can see the potential it has from making the most of its history and heritage features to providing entertainment spaces and venues.

Elland has the potential to be a great place to live and to visit.

March 2019

Submission of an 'expression of interest' was made in March 2019 and we were notified that we were successful in getting short-listed.

Funding

Approximate scheme value: £6.30M.

This project was made possible through funding from:

  • Funded by UK Government