Wakefield receives £2 million to fund local projects and boost coronavirus recovery

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has secured the money for the region from the Getting Building Fund which will fund 15 schemes in West Yorkshire, creating almost 2,300 new jobs across the region and safeguarding a further 500.

The funding will support three projects in the Wakefield district that are integral to the area’s economic recovery and will benefit local communities and businesses.

Wakefield Warm Homes Fund will improve energy efficiency in low income households helping to reduce fuel poverty, carbon emissions and tackle health inequalities.

The Business Gigabit Voucher Scheme will help businesses and homes connect to super or ultrafast broadband as well as installing new wireless and 4G/5G networks in community locations.

The Knottingley Skills, Business and Services Hub will receive £1million to upgrade the existing Kellingley Club building to create a new community hub to help people access education, training and careers support. It will also offer help to local businesses and start-ups.

Coiun Darren Byford, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Regeneration, said: “This funding is extremely welcome as the district begins to recover from the effects of the coronavirus lockdown.

“It will help residents and businesses alike by upgrading local infrastructure and boosting skills, which in turn will create jobs and improve the lives of local people.

“I look forward to these projects beginning to take shape and making a real difference to residents and our communities.”

Coun Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leader of Bradford Council, said: “The 15 projects that were put forward to receive funding are integral to West Yorkshire’s economic recovery plan and will ensure the benefits are felt across a wide range of communities and economic sectors.

“The projects focus on areas vital to a successful, and inclusive recovery, such as regenerating our towns and cities, support for business investment and jobs growth as well as opening up new walking and cycling routes.”

Wakefield will also benefit from some of the other regional allocation, which includes £7million towards the Business Growth Programme – a grants scheme to help businesses recover and adapt following the lockdown and £9.07million towards the Enterprise Zones at Parry Lane in Bradford and Langthwaite in Wakefield – further funding to extend existing sites and open up more land to meet industry demand, creating up to 400 jobs when complete.