Photo shows a curving road withthree and four-storey georgian buildings.
Buildings and conservation areas in Dewsbury will be at the heart of regeneration.
Buildings and conservation areas in Dewsbury will be at the heart of regeneration.

Dewsbury Living Market Town Heritage Action Zone

Run down and neglected buildings in historic Dewsbury town centre will be revitalised and brought back into use as housing, community or commercial spaces as part of a five-year scheme delivered in partnership by Kirklees Council and Historic England.

The Heritage Action Zone will help to revive Dewsbury’s historic heart

Dewsbury was a real rags to riches story - the home of recycling in Britain, collecting woollen rags from across the world to recycle into new cloth. Dewsbury also has a strong market tradition dating back to the 14th century but like many market towns, the centre is in decline and needs a new focus.

Just as old clothes were remade into new ones, the HAZ will help remake the town, keeping the best of the town's characterful buildings and spaces and adding in new to make a place for the whole population to use and enjoy. The partnership has identified a number of projects to make a difference. Work will start with increasing our understanding of how Daisy Hill developed historically. This will help to inform a masterplan that will make the most of the town's historic character for new developments in the area.

There will be opportunities for the public to get involved throughout the work of the HAZ, to inform our understanding of the heritage that is valued and to help shape the future for the historic town. This will range from Heritage Schools programmes to events for the public to attend and open days and tours.

Yorkshire Office