Wakefield Council

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Decided planning applications

A coal mining 'angel' sculpture is to be installed on the site of the former Parkhill Colliery in Wakefield. Image: Steven Anwar

Coal ‘angel’ sculpture to be installed at former pit site

Old Westgate Station car park.

Old Westgate Station car park to close temporarily as work on new hotel begins

Wakefield Beer Festival, WX Wakefield

Wakefield Beer Festival returns after seven-year break – in pictures

Plans have been lodged to build an extension and carry out a major upgrade of Theatre Royal Wakefield. Image: AOC Architecture.

Extension and major upgrade planned for Theatre Royal Wakefield

Aspire at Pontefract Park

Aspire leisure centre back open after weekend closure

How new hotel in Wakefield city centre may look.

Plan agreed to speed up building of new Westgate hotel

Flats plan for Millennium House gets refused.

Plans for flats in Millennium House rejected

Wakefield Council steps up fly-tipping crackdown

Wakefield Council steps up fly-tipping crackdown

Aspire at Pontefract Park

Aspire at Pontefract Park closed this weekend

Wakefield Council has agreed to spend £500,000 to help secure the future of professional league in Featherstone.

Featherstone given £500k to bring back professional rugby league

Plans to convert the former New Carlton Social Club, in Normanton, into flats have been approved by Wakefield Council. LDRS image.

Flats scheme at former club approved despite concerns over loss of facilities

Wakefield Council's cabinet has agreed to scrap two-hour free parking. LDRS image

Two-hour free parking across the Wakefield district scrapped

Redhill Drive

Former quarry earmarked for major housing development

Andrew Wakefield said the planned policy change by Wakefield Council would “target” bereaved residents and failed to support small business owners.

Cabinet member opposes council plan to scrap empty home tax discount

Families and visitors can enjoy a packed programme of festive fun at the Light Switch-On events in Castleford, Ossett and Pontefract, with live entertainment, festive markets, tasty treats and plenty of activities.

Start the festive season in style as Pontefract, Castleford and Ossett light up
The festive season is set to get off to a sparkling start as Wakefield Council brings Christmas cheer to town centres across the district this November.
Leanne Clarke

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Submitted planning applications

The Ridings Shopping came under the ownership of Wakefield Council on May 1 after the authority completed a deal to buy it for just over £11m.

Major announcement on The Ridings Shopping Centre due ‘within weeks’

Temporary classrooms were installed to ease disruption caused by the discovery of Raac at St Thomas à Becket school, in Wakefield. LDRS image

Raac-affected Wakefield school set to for major redevelopment

Borough Road car park, in Wakefield.

MPs urge council to rethink plan to scrap two-hour free parking

Kathryn Pybus and Lisa Hudson urged councillors to reject plans to building 151 canalside homes at City Fields in Wakefield. LDRS image

Boat residents raise fears for wildlife as canal homes approved

Wragby School has opened.

New specialist school opens

Light up Wakefield 2026

Light Up Wakefield: Spectacular illuminated parade set to transform city centre

Residents and councillors campaigned to save the historic chapels in Knottingley Cemetery. LDRS image

Knottingley Cemetery chapels ‘will not be sold’, council chief says

A main road in Wakefield will be hit with temporary lights and closures while gas works are carried out.

Road closure and temporary lights as gas works begin in Wakefield

Lightwaves Leisure and Community Centre, in Wakefield. LDRS image

Council scraps £1 sale of former pool and leisure centre to charity

A councillor has called for Wakefield Trinity’s owner Matt Ellis and head coach Daryl Powell to be awarded the Freedom of the City following the club’s historic Super League Grand Final victory.

Call for Trinity owner and head coach to be awarded Freedom of the City
A councillor has called for Wakefield Trinity’s owner Matt Ellis and head coach Daryl Powell to be awarded the Freedom of the City following the club’s historic Super League Grand Final victory.
Tony Gardner

Cedar Court Hotel, on Denby Dale Road, Wakefield.

Wakefield Council passes motion to close asylum centres

AD:VENTURE, a business support service delivering support to small businesses throughout Wakefield, has announced that it has secured funding for a further three years.

Small business support service in Wakefield receives three year funding boost

Decided Wakefield district planning applications:

Decided Wakefield district planning applications: Extensions approved

Councillors have been recommended to approve plans for a housing development next to the Aire and Calder Navigation in Wakefield.

Concerns raised over plans to build 151 canalside homes at City Fields

Wakefield Council has appointed a developer to deliver a new hotel at the site of the city centre's former railway station. Artist impression of new hotel. Image: Wakefield Council

Construction of 110-room hotel at old rail station site expected in 2027

The old High Well School in South Heindley was old at auction for £900,000 in August 2026. LDRS image

Former council-owned mansion set to become ‘hotel, spa and wedding venue’

Wakefield Council looks set to agree to spend £500,000 to help secure the future of professional league in Featherstone.

Featherstone set for £500K boost to bring back professional rugby league

A derelict former primary school in Wakefield is to be demolished to make way for a new care home.

Care home to be built at fire-damaged former primary school site

Aspire at Pontefract Park

Aspire leisure centre now open after water leak fixed

Pontefract is set to welcome the festive season in style with its annual Christmas Light Switch-On, featuring a festive market, live entertainment, funfair rides and attractions for families.

Pontefract light switch-on to bring festive cheer with market and family fun

Residents can now receive key council updates directly to their phones by following Wakefield Council's new WhatsApp Channel.

Keep up-to-date with council information with new WhatsApp Channel

The Wheel of light has been taken down over safety concerns

Pit workers’ memorial taken down over safety concerns

Aspire at Pontefract Park

Aspire leisure centre set to partially re-open

Aspire at Pontefract Park.

Wakefield Council Aspire leisure centre closed temporarily

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Planning applications received week starting October 5 2026

Coun Kate Dodd (Green/Wakefield North).

Closing Springhill Close in Outwood 'may shift not solve problems'

Products will be developed and tested throughout the next year, with new items expected to go on sale as they are ready.

Pontefract Castle turns coffee waste into £10k award-winning idea

A festival celebrating later life is returning to the Wakefield district this October, with more than 80 events and activities for people aged 60 and over.

Festival celebrating later life returns to Wakefield

Wakefield Trinity celebrate their win at Old Trafford.

Trinity head coach Powell praises his 'unbelievable group of men'

Wakefield Trinity lift the Super League trophy after beating Warrington Wolves in the Grand Final on Saturday. Photo: John Clifton.

Open top bus parade and civic reception planned for victorious Wakefield Trinity

The old Kellingley Social Club building, in Knottingley, was demolished in March 2026 LDRS

Regeneration chief’s promise to plug £1m Knottingley funding gap

Plans to install a bandstand inspired by the work of Dame Barbara Hepworth in Horbury's Carr Lodge Park have been given the go-ahead. Image: Studio J Architects

Barbara Hepworth-inspired bandstand design for historic park divides opinion

Ruby Noon pictured with mum Faye

Seriously injured teenager wins Blue Badge appeal

Catch the Bus Month aims to highlight the role that buses play in local transport and society.

Wakefield bus operator calls for action to raise profile of free bus passes

Pontefract Swimming Pool on Stuart Road closed in 2021. LDRS image

Offer made to buy former Pontefract Swimming Pool site

Residents invited to help shape the future of housing in Wakefield district

Residents invited to help shape the future of housing in Wakefield district

Ruby Noon pictured with mum Faye

Teenager who suffered life-changing injuries in car accident in Blue Badge plea

Wakefield Trinity fans at Wigan on Saturday September 26

Council leader Karl Johnson on Trinity's 'incredible achievement'

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