Children's safety and public transport concerns raised over Wakefield's £15m youth centre

Members of a council scrutiny committee also said public transport links needed to be improved to ensure all youngsters in the local authority district could benefit from the project.

Earlier this year, Wakefield Council approved plans to build the “world class” Youth Zone on vacant land at Ings Road in the Kirkgate area of the city centre.

The centre, set to open in 2028, is being funded by a £15.2m government Levelling Up grant and developed in partnership with national charity OnSide.

Members of the council’s children and young people scrutiny committee raised safety issues with officers at a meeting held in October.

Minutes of the discussions state: “Members raised concerns for the safety of young people walking to and from transport links and officers recognised that this needed to be considered ahead of the development.

“It was noted that the neighbourhood policing team would be involved, redevelopment work was already taking place in the Kirkgate area and that it was anticipated the area would be very different in three years’ time.”

Members also said young people living in deprived areas of the district outside of the city of Wakefield would be at a disadvantage “due to problems with public transport.”

Research carried out before the scheme was approved indicated that nearly every child in the district lived within 45 minutes of the site.

The report said: “Officers agreed that access would be easier for Wakefield children and young people and that young people across the district regularly said that improvements to public transport would help them.

“Time was needed to work on the Youth Zone model and find ways to enable young people from the wider district to access it.

“It was recognised that the project was not perfect but that it was better to provide facilities for some, rather than deprive all young people.”

Committee members also “questioned the rationale” for placing the Youth Zone in the city centre.

The minutes state: “It was explained that the Levelling Up funding had been agreed as part of the Wakefield Masterplan, which was linked to the regeneration of the city centre and facilities for young people, and that the money had to be spent in Wakefield city.

“A number of sites had been considered but landlords were either not willing to sell or the price was too high.

“The proposed site, currently a car park, was the only viable option.”

The committee requested that the project continued to be monitored and that OnSide be invited to a future meeting.

Further data about the charity was also requested and for the “expected outcomes for local children be provided to the committee.”

OnSide has been operating facilities since 2008 and currently has 16 across the country.

The Wakefield centre is expected to serve between 700 and 1,400 youngsters each week.

The council previously said it had chosen the project after carrying out a public consultation with young people which identified a need for extra social and leisure opportunities in the city centre.

People aged eight to 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs, would be able to attend the Youth Zone, which would operate throughout the year from 8am to 10pm.

Youth Zones offer a minimum of 20 activities every day from sports through to artistic, cultural and recreational opportunities all supported by trained staff and volunteers.

Jack Hemingway, deputy leader of the Labour-run council and portfolio holder for regeneration and economic growth, told a cabinet meeting in September: “We know that youth services were some of the first areas to be worst-hit by government austerity.

“This is about filling a major gap, enhancing what we have got with the voluntary sector.

“We have to accept this, perhaps a once-in-a-generation £15m investment from the government, which will have such an important and powerful impact for young people in Wakefield.

“From a regeneration point of view, this is a unique opportunity to transform a part of town that has become derelict, that’s a bit run down.

“This can really brighten it up and enhance the appearance of Wakefield city.”

Margaret Isherwood, the council’s cabinet member for children and young people, also said: “The Youth Zone will be a modern, safe, purpose-built venue for young people to socialise, learn new skills and plan for their future.

“All children have equal potential. But a Youth Zone will help create a more equitable playing field to help more children unlock theirs.

“A Youth Zone will be an expansion of the offer already delivered by partners, particularly the voluntary, community and enterprise sector.”