The Future of The Ridings
We will be discussing future plans for the Ridings on 17 November. A report has been prepared which if approved, will formally end the previous Cathedral Quarter proposal agreed in February 2026.
This will mean that the properties which are not part of The Ridings but were within the boundary of the original plan will no longer be affected by the new proposals being put forward.
Our Cabinet will consider new plans for The Ridings to be transformed with more leisure, hospitality, entertainment, and cultural uses. All running alongside the successful independent retailers who currently occupy the centre.
These new plans have been shaped by feedback from over 3,000 people who had their say on the future of the city centre over the summer.
Those taking part gave us a clear direction – that we share – for a more vibrant city centre with more things to do, more places to visit, and more reasons to stay longer.
These new plans will inject a new lease of life into the centre and deliver the cafés, restaurants, bars, leisure attractions and cultural activities that complement retail.
As we deliver this, we’ll be supporting existing retailers in the centre. As well as making sure new plans complement the wider city.
If the new plans are approved the next step will be to appoint an independent specialist adviser to develop a new commercial plan for The Ridings. This will focus on retaining the centre’s current strengths. Attracting new leisure and hospitality operators. And identifying any building work and the wider financial implications of any plans.
Anything we do has to work in the long-term.
We won’t spend money we can’t afford. The plan needs to financially stack up and not put Council budgets at risk.
The city centre tower blocks owned by Vico Homes were also included in the footprint of the original plan. These buildings are not part of the new plans outlined in the Cabinet report. As a result of the previous decision approved in February, Vico Homes has been progressing the decant and vacation of these blocks. Supporting customers to find alternative homes in and around the city centre. The Council understands this will continue.
Work to build over 200 new affordable homes in Wakefield’s Kirkgate Gateway will continue. A planning application is expected to be submitted in 2027 that will focus on designing high-quality homes to complement the affordable housing scheme at Chantry roundabout.
More information and further updates will follow after the meeting has taken place on 17 November.