KnottingleyVision 2029

Foreword

from Cllr Denise Jeffery Deputy Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Regeneration

Knottingley is an ambitious community.

For residents, this means enjoying a better quality of life, finding work and opportunities, raising the aspirations of local young people, and building on the strong sense of community which exists within the local area.

These are strongly reflected by the town’s businesses, who feel a clear affinity to the area and its residents, and want to play even more of a role in local life – from helping local people find local jobs, to having an active role in community events and activities.

Wakefield Council shares these ambitions. As part of our recently-launched Economic Strategy, we have outlined how we aim to create more successful people, places and businesses. Our work in Knottingley is a fantastic opportunity to revitalise one of our key towns for the benefit of local residents and businesses, and the wider district, by both building on its many assets and tackling its challenges.

We have worked closely with local people and businesses to develop the Vision for Knottingley which reflects their views and ambitions for the town. Hundreds of residents have shared their priorities with

us, telling us what will make a real difference to their lives, and locally-based businesses are extremely keen to make sure their work will have a positive impact on the area for years to come.

Local young people were also at the heart of our discussions, and we have consulted with more than 300 pupils at De Lacy Academy to make sure the Vision captures future needs as much as the current landscape.

We have built on all this feedback using insight from years of community engagement and consultation, and have grouped the ambitions within the Vision based on the Economic Strategy’s three themes: People, Business and Places.

While some ambitions will be much easier and quicker to achieve than others, we are committing long-term support to work with the local community, businesses and key partner agencies to deliver the Vision.

At each step along the journey we will work closely with businesses and residents to create sustainable improvements. We will empower local people and community groups, harnessing their spirit and pride, to deliver outcomes that benefit the local area.

Knottingley 2019 -

If you are interested in supporting our Vision and ambitions, contact us at KnottingleyVision@wakefield.gov.uk

Successful BusinessesSuccessful PeopleSuccessful Place

Knottingley Ambassadors Our ambassadors represent just some of the many residents, businesses, organisations and community groups already involved in extremely positive work across Knottingley and the wider area.

Working in partnership is critical to achieving our ambitions, and we are proud to include our ambassadors within our Vision as our joint commitment to making Knottingley an even better place for all who live, work and visit the town.

Hazel Richardson Chair, Warwick Ahead Big Local Partnership

“I’m a very active member of the community on Warwick Estate in Knottingley, being Chair of Neighbourhood Watch for a number of years and currently the Chair of Warwick Ahead Big Local Partnership. I’m also a dedicated volunteer and am passionate about making a difference in the community, and supporting people and projects that will bring about positive change. “I’m happy to be an advocate for the Knottingley Vision and hope it will lead to Knottingley becoming a successful prosperous place for people and businesses.”

Andrew Wallhead Investment Director, WDH

“As WDH’s Investment Director I am responsible for the refurbishment and regeneration of our existing assets as well as the development of additional new homes to meet the housing need within Knottingley and the wider Yorkshire Region.“WDH has always been and remains committed to Knottingley and its residents. Over the last 10 years we have invested over £60million in our existing stock and have developed new homes at ‘The Kingfishers’, Ferrybridge and ‘Fisher Street’, Knottingley as well purchasing stock through sec106 agreements to improve the quality and range of our housing offer.“I am happy to support the regeneration plans for Knottingley and to improve the housing offer in the area giving people real choice, improved connectivity, as well as creating access to education and employment.”

Andy Alden Engineering & Support Services Manager, RWE Generation UK

“Having been here for 100 years, we know how important the people of Knottingley are for our business, and understand our responsibility to play an important role in the community by return.“We are proud of our shared history and enthusiastic about what future we can make together.”

Paul Green Steward, Kellingley Social Club

“On behalf of Kellingley Social Club I am very happy to pledge my support and be an Ambassador of the Vision for Knottingley. I want to work towards getting communities on board with this Vision, and together we can support the Action Plan commitments which will drive improvements locally and have a positive impact in our town for residents and businesses. The club will work with partners and local people to realise these ambitions benefitting the whole of this community.”

PCSO Aaron Riley Knottingley Neighbourhood Policing Team

“I’ve worked in the Knottingley area for more than 14 years and get a great deal of satisfaction from working with the local community to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, and from building relationships between the younger generation and the police.“I am keen to continue working with the community so everyone benefits from improvements across the local area, and will support the Vision for Knottingley and its ambitions wherever possible.”

Andy

Ald

en

Andr

ew W

allh

ead

Paul

Gre

en

Haze

l Ric

hard

son

PCSO

Aar

on R

iley

The Vision for Knottingley

A successful place with a great sense of community where local people prosper, underpinned by the opportunities created by thriving businesses.

The town’s industrial and sporting heritage, civic pride, and beautiful open spaces and waterways provide opportunities to grow and improve the town for everyone’s benefit.

Successful Place Creating a destination to live, work and play, with housing and infrastructure that meets the needs of existing communities and helps create appeal to attract new residents.

A Masterplan to revitalise the town

A critical part of our work to achieve our ambitions and priorities will be the launch of a masterplan which will facilitate the delivery of sites in the Council’s current development plan, and provide further detail to support the allocation and delivery of new sites in the emerging Wakefield District Local Plan.

Along with providing a plan to maximise the town’s assets and opportunities, including housing development and open spaces, the masterplan will also address factors preventing growth such as transport connections.

Enhancing our ‘town centre’ offer as a destination

The Hill Top parade is an extremely popular hub for retail activity, and we will continue to make improvements to increase the town centre’s appeal and sense of place.

This includes diversifying the range of shops and businesses while reducing the number of empty shops to complement and improve the current offer, increase dwell time and boost the local economy.

Through our Retail Enhancement Fund we are offering targeted support to existing independent businesses at Hill Top so they thrive and benefit. At the same time we will support businesses at all the town’s shopping parades to be ‘digitally fit’ for the future and remain competitive to mitigate the impact of online retail.

Cleaner streets and neighbourhoods

Key to providing enjoyable parks, greenspaces and waterways is ensuring they remain clean and tidy, free from litter and flytipping. The same applies to local neighbourhoods and public spaces.

Alongside our regular maintenance work to keep these spaces clean, we will work with partners to support with the cleanliness and upkeep of their land where it has an effect on the lives of local people.

We will also work with local community groups and organisations, and encourage the development of social enterprise in the area to empower local people to take action, whether individually or in partnership with local businesses who are keen to support similar activities.

Improved roadways which relieve congestion, improve safety and encourage sustainable transport

Knottingley is arguably one of the country’s best-connected towns, sitting alongside the A1 / M62 corridor. Yet challenges on the town’s local road network are a barrier for growth, development and improvement.

We will tackle these problems to improve our roadways and relieve congestion, make routes safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, and in turn encourage greater use of sustainable transport which links with our canal towpaths and waterways.

As part of this we will pursue funding opportunities to develop a Knottingley Relief Road which would achieve these aims and open up large housing and employment development sites.

Enhancing the sport, leisure and recreation offer to increase participation in physical activity

In line with the district’s Playing Pitch Strategy, we will enhance and improve playing fields to support existing and new teams and clubs, building on the town’s sporting history by providing facilities which encourage more people to get involved.

This will include investment in security measures at the Kellingley sports pitches, and supporting community groups and organisations to improve and upgrade their facilities while at the same time making these more widely available.

Providing more reasons to celebrate our waterways, parks and greenspaces

Knottingley’s waterways, greenspaces and parks are extremely important to local people, because of the valuable role such assets play in supporting and promoting the health and wellbeing of local people.

Waterways, greenspaces and parks are also key when promoting the area to visitors and new residents. We are committed to making the most of these assets by introducing nature trails, trim trails, even greater cycle connectivity, and other opportunities for recreation and play along the Aire & Calder Navigation.

Where land is owned by other organisations, such as the Canal & River Trust, we will work in partnership with them to deliver these improvements.

Utilising the town’s physical assets will promote community and individual involvement in activities and exercise, building on the offer at the forthcoming Leisure and Wellbeing Hub serving the Five Towns.

More quality and affordable housing, with greater choice

The new Wakefield District Local Plan will identify key sites to support the development of at least 2,500 homes and the Masterplan will provide greater detail regarding these proposals. Our emphasis will not just be on numbers - we want to bring forward more quality developments and affordable housing attractive to local people and those from further afield.

New housing with greater choice will play a valuable role in boosting the local economy, especially when combined with an improved town centre and retail offer, as residents’ spend is more likely to stay within the town rather than elsewhere.

Increased accessibility and appeal of public transport

By working with rail and bus service providers, we will encourage greater use of public transport.

Along with the frequency of services and connectivity to other towns and cities, we will increase accessibility to transport hubs and the wider area by foot or cycle, also reducing reliance on cars as people’s main method of travel to and from work.

We will pursue funding options to improve parking and enhanced public realm at the railway station to create a ‘sense of arrival’ into the town for those travelling by train.

Successful People Working together with communities to celebrate and take pride in the town’s heritage, ensuring everyone can access the support they need to enjoy a better quality of life.

Celebrating culture and civic pride

Knottingley has a proud cultural history and heritage. By celebrating this we can help develop a greater sense of community within the local area, and in turn create a sense of belonging among people new to the town.

We will support the development of regular programmes which support learning and skills and celebrate the town’s civic pride.

We will use this as a catalyst to connect different generations of the community together and increase skills, experience and aspirations across the town.

Community-led social activities and events

A number of community-focused groups and organisations already thrive within the local area, regularly organising activities and events for the enjoyment and benefit of local residents.

These include Kellingley Social Club, Knottingley Community Church, the Warwick Ahead Partnership and St Botolphs volunteers to name but a few. These groups provide support and assistance to all walks of life, ranging from events which support those most in need through to organising events which encourage socialising and tackle social isolation.

These groups and organisations are pivotal to promoting a stronger sense of community. By working closely with them, we can build on their achievements, empowering them to deliver even more positive work throughout the town.

Tech café – meeting the needs of young people

Feedback from local young people has been key to informing our Vision, and it is important that we take their views into account when developing a town that is fit for future needs.

Young people have identified a possible ‘tech café’ which would offer opportunities to gain career experience in the creative and digital, along with the hospitality and retail sectors. This could be combined with a social space where young people would feel comfortable learning and developing their skills alongside their peers.

We will use our business links with the creative and digital sector to establish how we can bring this type of facility to life in Knottingley, and look for partners within the local community to support this.

Improved health and wellbeing outcomes for all

Knottingley faces significant challenges relating to residents’ health and wellbeing, and we are committed to finding ways to address long-term health issues by delivering the appropriate support targeted towards those in need.As the town develops and grows, we will actively consider how healthcare provision is meeting the current and future needs of residents, establishing closer links with partners and understanding what opportunities there are for reducing demand pressures through ‘pharmacy first’ and social prescribing.

A community-led scheme to support health and wellbeing currently exists within the Warwick estate.

We will provide spaces and opportunities to bring residents together, creating a sense of community underpinned by strong and resilient neighbourhoods.

Safer places

Community safety is a priority and effectively tackling crime, anti-social behaviour, and drug use are key issues for local people.

The Council already works extremely closely with partners including West Yorkshire Police, WDH, local community groups and other agencies to deal with crime, anti-social behaviour and community safety issues. We will continue this work to make sure we effectively tackle incidents and perceptions around community safety, taking decisive action against the small minority involved and improving quality of life for those affected.

Boosting local aspirations and talent

Alongside building better links between businesses and our communities, we can raise aspirations among local young people so they understand the wealth of opportunities available to them upon leaving education. We are keen to capitalise on the wealth of experience and knowledge possessed by the major national and international businesses on our doorstep, and the skills and support provided by the many community-based organisations within the area.

By establishing formal links between these businesses and groups, local schools and colleges, and the community, we can create work experience programmes, trades taster sessions and targeted recruitment drives.

This will take local young people directly into employment or apprenticeships – connecting all people to economic opportunities and keeping local talent within local jobs. In turn, these people will become role models within their communities.

Successful Businesses Attracting new businesses and encouraging growth, which provides quality opportunities for local people and has a clear positive impact on the local community.

More new businesses and long-term confidence

Knottingley is established as the home of several major multi-national businesses. We will build on this success by attracting even more investment which creates quality jobs and a diverse range of opportunities for local people.

The New Wakefield District Local Plan will identify sites to deliver approximately 260 hectares of employment and industrial land and the Masterplan will provide greater detail regarding

these proposals, attracting new businesses into the area and encouraging existing businesses to grow.

As part of this we will explore opportunities and incentives such as creating an employment zone and an environment for business growth, helping to attract and secure investment and retaining long-term business confidence in the area.

Breaking down employment barriers

Alongside job creation, we will tackle barriers to employment which will help reduce the number of people classed as unemployed and economically inactive. These barriers can include access to and funding of childcare, a lack of flexible working and job sharing opportunities, and access to transport.

By working closely with Knottingley’s established and new businesses we can break real or perceived barriers to employment so local people can access these opportunities to enjoy a better quality of life.

As part of this we will encourage the growth of social enterprise within the area to both tackle these barriers and to support employment and training opportunities for local people.

Opportunities to learn, train and progress regardless of age, skills or ability

Knottingley faces a number of challenges around the employment and jobs market. Alongside above-average unemployment levels, particularly around the older generation, there is a skills gap when it comes to higher level qualifications.

We will work with businesses, education partners and community groups to develop programmes where people of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to train, re-train and upskill so they can find employment and enjoy a better quality of life.

Improved transport infrastructure: benefiting businesses and the community

Although Knottingley’s excellent road infrastructure links make it a prime place to do business, existing companies have raised concerns about the impact their vehicles, such as lorries, are having on local roads.

This includes the safety of pedestrians, wear and tear damage caused by vehicles, and the environmental impact of congestion and emissions, particularly in and around Hill Top.

To make sure Knottingley remains well connected for business, we will work with statutory bodies, local businesses and residents to better understand how we can improve the road infrastructure in a way that works for everyone. Pursuing funding opportunities for a Relief Road will form part of this.

We can also use Knottingley’s excellent links to the Aire & Calder Navigation, working with businesses and partners such as the Canal & River Trust to utilise the river for freight transport, creating efficiencies for businesses and relieving the burden on local roads.

Building better links

Knottingley enjoys an extremely diverse business portfolio, with the Council offering support to many of these organisations on a regular basis.

Along with developing the type of support on offer to these businesses, we will launch a network where organisations are working together to benefit the community and keep spend within the local area.

Businesses contributing real social value

Major businesses in and around Knottingley have expressed a real desire to make a more active contribution to the communities they operate in, becoming much more than an employer to local people.

We will support businesses to establish links with local community groups, initiatives and projects so that they can add real value in local estates and the wider town, adding additional weight to the positive work already being delivered.

1988

94 D

esig

ned

and

prod

uced

by

Wak

efiel

d Co

unci

l, Co

mm

unic

atio

ns 0

1/19

KnottingleyVision 2029Following the publication of our Vision for Knottingley, we will work closely with our strategic partners, community organisations and businesses to identify deliverable short, medium and long-term projects so we can realise the ambitions outlined above.Specific interventions will be detailed within the forthcoming Action Plan. Longer term planning policy and land use allocations will be set out in the new Wakefield District Local Plan with further details provided in the Masterplan for Knottingley.