The journey to this design

The best performing option was chosen from the alternative designs. This decision was made based on the design that best delivered enhancements to public realm, made the town centre more pedestrian-friendly, and made more events and future growth possible - while acknowledging the importance of being able to drive for many people.

Three concept design options were developed in collaboration with Kirklees Council in Summer 2024.

These options built on existing consultation and engagement feedback, input from engineering surveys and cost analysis, and addressed contrasting aims and objectives across the core areas of the town centre - from placemaking to traffic management constraints and opportunities.

In early 2024, we held focused engagement with key groups set to be affected by the town centre plans.

This included local businesses and charities in the town centre and residents at the nearby Wards Hill Court. Their feedback and engagement were fed into the design team's process and designs.

With funding secured, in Winter 2023 a design team was appointed to take the project forward. The early concept design was revisited and developed to see the regeneration of Batley's town centre realised.

In 2023, our bid for UK government funding was successful and we secured £12million towards improvements to Batley's town centre.

The funding is complemented by circa. £2.5million from Kirklees Council's Small Town Centres funding and from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority's Streets for People.

With the creation of the Batley Blueprint, regeneration of the town centre was identified as a priority project. An early concept design was shared with the public as part of a wider consultation.

The early concept design for the town centre, and outputs of consultation, were used to submit an application for funding from UK government.

Taking the results of the 'Streets for People' and 'Our Town Centre' consultations - totalling more than 1,000 comments from the Batley community - the Batley Blueprint was formed. Providing a long-term vision for and framework to guide development in the town centre.

The aim of the Batley Blueprint - as a long-term strategic vision - is to build on Batley's rich and proud heritage - while looking to the future and ensuring the town is ready for the next decade and beyond.

Beginning in Summer 2021, Batley ward councillors and Kirklees Council asked local people what they thought of Batley town centre then, and what they'd like to see in the future.

The national 'Place Standard' tool was used - which is a framework to help structure conversations between communities, designers and decision-makers. Resulting in better evidence on local needs and a clearer design brief to take forward. 942 people took part across two rounds of consultation.

In 2021, this consultation gathered 136 comments from the public on changes that could be made to improve air quality, safety, cycling, walking and public transport in Batley to make the town centre better for people. The pilot scheme was funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and led by Kirklees Council.

Building on the Blueprints in Huddersfield and Dewsbury, in 2021, Kirklees Council's Cabinet approved the "Investing in Small Town Centres" report which agreed an approach and funding for developing Blueprints for smaller town centres across Kirklees.

Batley was one of four centres identified, alongside Cleckheaton, Holmfirth and Heckmondwike. The report was accepted by Cabinet and £1.5million of funding was secured for each town centre.

In 2019, Kirklees Council set out to establish 'Blueprints' for key towns and villages. The Blueprints are a long-term vision and framework to guide the growth and development of town centres - from improving public spaces, to boosting tourism and addressing social issues. Huddersfield and Dewsbury were the first towns to be selected for a Blueprint.