Planning permission has been granted for Kirklees Council's updates to Dewsbury Market and the inclusion of a brand-new town park, two key projects within the Dewsbury Blueprint, which will sit side by side in the town centre upon completion.

The plans for Dewsbury Market will create a more varied, day-to-night offering in the town centre, with the council aiming to continue to improve the traditional market offering, whilst at the same time creating more areas for eating, drinking, socialising and events.

The town park, set to be the largest green space within the town centre, is set to create several new draws to attract residents and visitors alike with lots of open green spaces, seating and a substantial, partially enclosed play area containing lots of interesting features for children of all ages. The plans also allow for potential water features and an opportunity to include more art, with involvement from the local community.

Cllr Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance & Regeneration at Kirklees Council, said: “Once we unveiled our updated plans for Dewsbury Market, the adjoining park was very much the missing piece. These are both aspects of the town we know local people greatly care about, and they have a huge part to play in Dewsbury’s future.

“This approved planning application marries these two key elements within our Dewsbury Blueprint, and shows how different this part of town is going to look within the next few years – not even taking into account the amount of work we’re doing elsewhere in the town centre. It’s an incredibly exciting time for Dewsbury; these plans confirm our commitment to delivering investment to regenerate Dewsbury over the next few years and I can’t wait for us to get started.”

The town park will transition smoothly into the market’s outdoor with demountable stalls allowing for both an outdoor market area and a flexible space to support events. This will then transition into the indoor market, which will also be kitted out for a variety of different kinds of markets and events.

Keith Ramsay, Chair of the Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board, said: "These are plans that will truly see Dewsbury town centre brought back to life, supporting the soon-to-reopen arcade and other town centre businesses, and cementing all we're doing to future-proof Dewsbury's heritage as a traditional market town - whilst creating a town centre that can thrive for future generations."