Councillors want to see more car parking in Huddersfield town centre to help ensure the success of the new food hall and the wider Our Cultural Heart regeneration scheme.
Part of the first phase of Our Cultural Heart opened last week with the new Huddersfield Library Hub and Queensgate Square.
That will be followed in spring or summer 2027 by the new Kirklees Council-run food hall in the former Queensgate Market building.
Councillors on the Growth and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel heard an update on Our Cultural Heart from service director for skills and regeneration David Wildman and see more car parking as the key to success.
Scrutiny chair Clr Liz Smaje (Con, Birstall & Birkenshaw) said: “We really need more car parking in Huddersfield to support (Our Cultural Heart) and the town hall and other places.”
Clr Stephan Dransfield (Reform UK, Colne Valley West) said: “Parking provision is going to be an essential part of this becoming a success because we don’t just want people walking in.
“We need to bring people into the area, bringing additional spend and wealth in. I do think we need to think carefully about parking provision.
“It’s the world we live in. The car is still the major form of transport for most people, particularly people who live in outlying areas where there isn’t a bus service.”
Mr Wildman gave the panel the latest update on progress of Our Cultural Heart.
Mr Wildman said so far around £150 million of council funding had been committed to Our Cultural Heart and the last two phases – the Queen Street plot and the former Market Hall multi-storey car park site – were under review.
The Queen Street plot could be residential, a hotel, offices or car parking while there are still plans for a theatre-style events venue on the old multi-storey site.
No money has been committed to the Queen Street plot or the venue site. Council officers are currently looking at options and will present a report to Cabinet in November.
Mr Wildman said all of the options for the Queen Street plot had a “funding gap” that would need to be plugged.
One of the options for the Queen Street plot was car parking but it also had a “viability gap” which the council was looking at.
He said the report in November would set out a suggested way forward in terms of car parking more generally.
The new Reform UK administration has pledged to keep council borrowing under control but have not said how much they are prepared to spend on the remaining phases of Our Cultural Heart.
Clr John Hardie, Cabinet member for regeneration, highways and transport, said: “It is important we are quite open about the context in which the remaining phases are being considered.
“This is a phased programme precisely so that we can review costs, risks, market conditions and the wider financial position before we make any further commitments.
“The original plan provides a long-term vision but it does not mean that every future element proceeds unchanged or without any further scrutiny.”
