Proposal to build new multi-million pound Brighouse market on new site under consideration

The market, at Ship Street, has been a success story through the pandemic, and money from Town Deal funding is earmarked for its refurbishment.

Brighouse had bid for £24.9 million from the fund and was awarded £19.1 million, but this affected plans for the market, councillors heard.

One result is that an alternative site for the market is being considered – but this is “not a done deal” and after another site has been identified and design work done, it would go out to wider consultation.

Both new and existing sites would ultimately be developed if proposals go ahead.

Coun Howard Blagbrough (Con, Brighouse) said it was important to keep all involved with the market informed as to what was happening with both existing and new sites.

“I think it is a great opportunity.

“What we want to do is bring people along with us on the journey,” he said.

Coun Blagbrough said effective communication was crucial and emphasised that at this stage moving the market was not “a done deal”.

The council’s unlocking sites officer Duncan Cooper said the next step was to take the proposal to consultants to develop the project when it could then go out to consultation.

He told Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Markets Working Party the original proposal in the Town Investment Plan (TIP) was to revitalise Brighouse Market by creating a distinctive building and space on the canal side incorporating the market, affordable living units and commercial units which would provide an opportunity for start-up businesses and co-working.

Plans included temporary relocation of the market to another location in Brighouse town centre while works took place, Commercial Street, Bethel Street or Gooder Street being identified as potential locations, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Markets Working Party heard – though these are not necessarily where a permanent new site might be.

Envisaged as a public-private partnership, the project cost of £4.8 million was to have been made up of £2.46 million from the private sector developer and £2.39 million of Town Deal funding.

But the reduced funding means that as well as finding some savings more private sector money will be needed in order for the original aims to be realised.

This would see £1.83 million of Town Deal funding split between developing the new and current sites and separating the homes from the market, around £1.56 million being available for the latter.

In return for committing more cash, a selected private development partner would have more input into the design process giving it a higher commercial value.

Presenting the paper, Mr Cooper said the proposal now favours relocating the market once, to a new permanent location, rather than it being temporarily relocated and then relocated again back to the current site once redeveloped.

“This has clear efficiency savings, whilst the separation of market use from residential use has benefits for marketability of the residential properties,” he said.

Assuming that the new, permanent market site will be chosen for its ability to accommodate at least the current number of stalls, 24 market stalls will still be available along with an “event space”, he said.

As mixed use development of the existing site would no longer need to accommodate space for a market and event space, it will be possible to increase the number of residential properties from 18 to 24, councillors heard.

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