The Waterfront Quarter is the result of over 3 years of detailed preparation work led by regeneration specialist Strategic Sites.

Strategic Sites has been responsible for the preparation of the masterplan, the securing of outline planning consent and the bringing together of a number of landowners and funders to work in partnership to deliver this impressive project.

It was important that the various site ownerships came under the control of one organization, and so aided by Strategic Sites, this complex legal process was completed in March 2010. The whole site is now owned on a freehold basis by Kirklees Council, with financial assistance from Yorkshire Forward.

Also in March 2010, Strategic Sites entered into a development agreement with Kirklees College to deliver the new campus. In turn, Strategic Sites has let a Construction Contract to Allenbuild which has extensive experience in the building of education buildings. Together, these contracts will ensure that the college will open on time, to specification and within budget.

Kirklees Council has recently appointed Strategic Sites as Construction Manager to oversee the design and implementation of various site preparation works.

2011 will see a dramatic acceleration of activity at the Waterfront Quarter.

Part of the Waterfront Quarter site is currently occupied by Sellers Engineers, one of Huddersfield’s leading manufacturing companies. Both Sellers and Kirklees Council were keen to see the company remain in Huddersfield and they have worked together to relocate the company into a brand-new factory being constructed on Leeds Road. The move from Waterfront Quarter to the new factory is scheduled to take place by spring 2011.

The summer of 2011 will see work begin on the installation of new roads and services within the Waterfront Quarter site. This will be followed during the winter months by works to significantly improve the Huddersfield Narrow canal where it passes through the site. At present, the canal travels through a very unattractive concrete tunnel which was constructed in 2001 when the canal was re-opened. The improvement works will see the canal raised in height, achieved by removing the concrete lid and relocating a lock. This will allow boat users to pass through the site in open water and, equally importantly, enable local people to see the boats passing through.

Other environmental improvements include works to clear the River Colne, which forms the southern boundary of the Waterfront Quarter, of untidy vegetation and create new river/canalside footpaths for local people.

Whilst all this on-site activity takes place, architects will also be preparing detailed plans for the development of offices, leisure and residential space at Waterfront Quarter.

Huddersfield in general, and the Waterfront Quarter in particular enjoys an excellent location.

Huddersfield is located on the M62, 20 miles west of Leeds and 30 miles east of Manchester. The town’s railway station lies on the main Leeds-Manchester line, giving journey times of approximately 20 minutes from Leeds and 35 minutes from Manchester.

The Waterfront Quarter occupies a prominent site, with frontage to Manchester Road (A62) and Chapel Hill (A616).

The town centre - which offers a wid range of retail and other facilities - is only a 5 minute walk away.

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Facilities planned for the Waterfront Quarter include:

• High quality catering services
• Conference facilities including the latest AV equipment
• Gym and other leisure outlets
• Child-care
• Water features
• Entertainment
• 24 hour security