Beverley Smith, Head of Planning at the Leeds office of international property advisers, GVA Grimley, says major development plans are to revitalise one of Yorkshire's oldest cities as a leading commercial and lifestyle centre with some of the best road and rail links in the UK.
Her comments have been welcomed by councillors in the city.
Miss Smith is confident that as the Government's £22bn urban renaissance programme, the Northern Way, progresses Wakefield – at the geographical centre of the initiative – will see real benefits.
The Northern Way outlines plans to work closely with regional development agencies and planning bodies to exploit the economic and transport links of cities throughout the North of England and envisages a northern "growth corridor" to help bring new investment and boost the North as an economic force in Europe.
Miss Smith believes that one of Wakefield's key advantages is its excellent location adjacent to the M1 and M62, making it easily accessible and therefore attractive for both commercial and retail development.
Established
Wakefield has already become established as a major distribution centre through the development of out-of-town business parks and has identified key city centre sites which are suitable for regeneration and development of new commercial, leisure and residential areas.
Three key development schemes are currently being proposed that would bring to life run-down areas of Wakefield and provide first-class commercial, leisure and residential facilities that would transform the city's amenities and boost its appeal to investors, visitors and residents.
The proposed schemes – Wakefield Waterfront Regeneration Scheme, The Marsh Way Area and Westgate Key Development Area – are ambitious projects designed to improve the environment and boost economic development.
The Waterfront scheme is set within a conservation area at the junction of the Calder & Hebble and Aire & Calder navigations, less than a mile from the city centre.
The plans include the construction of the Hepworth Gallery to provide a memorial to the Wakefield-born sculptress, Barbara Hepworth, whose works will be exhibited there, along with restoration of historic mills and warehouses for residential, commercial and leisure use.
The Marsh Way Area has been approved in principle by Wakefield City Council and is regarded as the most important city centre development for more than 20 years.
Plans include new indoor and outdoor markets, a new library along with supermarket and retail developments, apartments and 900 car parking spaces. Work is expected to start in spring 2005.
The Westgate Key Development Area is regarded as one of the most important city centre development sites in the region. It includes plans for a new Wakefield Westgate railway station along with a range of offices, leisure, retail, hotel and leisure developments on the old Express Dairy site and former railway goods yards.
Miss Smith said: "GVA Grimley is associated with a number of development schemes in the Wakefield area. Our research leads us to believe that the city is on the cusp of a major economic regeneration as it moves to take advantage of the economic overspill from prosperous Leeds.
"The planned schemes are ambitious and designed to improve the environment and provide top class facilities in which to live, work and relax. Coupled with out-of-town business park developments such as Calder Park next to junction 39 of the M1, these city centre projects will boost Wakefield's economic regeneration.
Amenities
"Wakefield is gearing up for big things over the next decade that will ensure that it's the place to be.
"City centre living, coupled with first-class new leisure amenities in attractive locations and high standard commercial developments with excellent access and communications will really put the city on the map."
Coun Denise Jeffery, Wakefield Council cabinet member for regeneration and partnership, said: "We are fully committed to ensuring that Wakefield is revitalised by the new schemes which are being developed to create a dynamic local economy.
"In the next few years Wakefield will be completely transformed providing new opportunities and an ideal place in which to live and work, as well as attracting visitors from far and wide to see the new cultural centre which is being developed on the Waterfront."
nigel.scott@ypn.co.uk