pontefract 2018-21 - wakefield · workplace health promotion project - continue to support...

$: Pontefract 2018-21 - Wakefield · Workplace Health Promotion Project - continue to support businesses in the Pontefract area, as part of wider Workplace Health Promotion Project,$
PontefractAction Plan 2018-21

Pontefract 2028 - Foreword

The Pontefract Action Plan sets out the delivery of the Pontefract Vision 2028 (www.wakefield.gov.uk/pontevision) published in March 2018.

The Vision has provided a strategic steer for the many projects included in the Action Plan, which sets out what the Council and its partner organisations intend to deliver over three financial years: 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21. It will be reviewed on an annual basis every March to assess what has been achieved in the previous 12 months and to update the future plan to ensure that it is accurate, up to date and tackles priority issues.

The projects and initiatives listed in the Pontefract Action Plan range from small interventions that should be quick and relatively easy to deliver through to the larger and more complex proposals which will be more difficult and demanding to deliver. For example, we know from the consultation of the Vision document that there are concerns about traffic congestion and anti-social behaviour in the town. Initiatives are included in the Action Plan that will start to make a difference for both of these issues but they are part of a long term strategy for change that will rely on the support and co-operation of a number of stakeholders, either to provide the necessary funding or to deliver change through partnership working.

I look forward to receiving progress updates on the delivery of the Action Plan. E-newsletters will be produced quarterly and made available on the Council’s website.

By working together and being creative in our approach to tackling issues, I’m confident that we will see significant changes and improvements in Pontefract in the years to come.

Foreword from Denise JefferyDeputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Regeneration

The Action Plan shows just how much work is going on in Pontefract now and how much is planned in the coming months and years.

We have been very impressed by the improvement in the town centre brought about by the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) which invested £1.6m in the refurbishment of 27 historic buildings and was completed in summer 2018. This has helped to remind everyone what a beautiful historic market town Pontefract is and how the town benefits from a high quality and range of heritage assets. The positive impact that this scheme has had on the town has really brought confidence to the town centre; it is now widely recognised that Pontefract has a wealth of potential and in many ways this is beginning to be realised. For example investment in the castle (£3.5m) which is scheduled for completion in 2019, is already helping to put Pontefract on the map as a visitor destination.

The town is attracting new businesses that want to be part of the growing independent retail sector, and this includes businesses that want to expand and enhance the night time economy.

Pontefract is fortunate to have so many active community groups who do so much for the town such as Pontefract in Bloom, Friends of Friarwood Valley Gardens, Friends of Pontefract Castle and Friends of Pontefract Park.

The town has also experienced significant housing growth in recent years with a large number of homes built and others planned for construction. The community make-up is changing, which presents an opportunity for the town, boosting foot-fall and local spend in the town centre. The train service is also improving and we continue to campaign for further improvements including better facilities at the stations, with parking and disabled access being key issues for Monkhill Station.

Things are definitely changing in Pontefract and the Action Plan is an important way of setting out what we want to achieve and how we are going to do it over the coming years.

Pontefract Councillors Foreword

1. Growing Pontefract’s Role as a Cultural Destination

Project Lead Vision 2028 Aspiration

Three Townscape Heritage Initiative information panels in the Market Place.

Regeneration Visitors will be able to easily navigate their way around the town through the provision of visitor information boards.

Completion of HLF funded castle capital works and its removal from the Historic England Heritage At Risk Register.

Arts, Culture and Leisure

Further development of the visitor offer at the castle.

Survey questionnaire for hospitality sector to identify key issues affecting the night time economy.

Economic Growth A more diverse night time economy with a range of quality outlets.

Pilot scheme for cafés to open during Pontefract Liquorice Festival, which is held on a Sunday when businesses are usually closed.

Economic Growth A continuous offer of available destinations as the day transitions into evening.

Ongoing enforcement of Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).

Environment and Streetscene

A more diverse night time economy with a range of quality outlets.

Identify a coach drop off point that can be promoted to travel companies.

Regeneration/Highways Develop official coach drop off points and coach parking.

Identify coach parking that can be promoted to travel companies.

Regeneration/Highways Develop official coach drop off points and coach parking.

Ongoing liaison with the Mid Yorkshire Trust to secure the future of the Dispensary and Hermitage.

Pontefract Heritage Partnership

Ongoing support for the Dispensary Project.

Ongoing support for the Crescent Project. Crescent Cultural Centre CIC

Ongoing support for the Crescent Project.

Pontefract Action Plan 2018-19

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2. Well Connected


Improvements to the timetable for Pontefract Stations introduced in May 2018.

Planning Transportation and Highways

More frequent rail services to Pontefract Stations. Improved journey times and better connections. Better Quality Stock.

Ongoing lobbying with WYCA and Transport for the North to increase frequency of trains to Pontefract Stations, improve journey times and introduce better quality stock.


More frequent rail services to Pontefract Stations. Improved journey times and better connections. Better quality stock.

Apply for funding for Monkhill Station improvements from the Transforming Cities Fund to improve car parking provision and to provide disabled access to the second platform.


Monkhill Priorities: Extended parking provision; Disabled access to the second platform.

Broad Lane/ Southgate Junction improvements.


Congestion tackled across the network. A review of problem junctions.

Pontefract - Knottingley Connect Scheme - to be delivered in phases. Stuart Road crossing to be delivered in 2018/19.


A review of cycleway and pedestrian footway provision across Pontefract.

Submission of the Strategic Business Case to the WYTF for the South Featherstone Link Road (SFLR).


Progress strategic highway links.

Scoping for rapid electric charging point for use by taxis and the public.

Environment and Property

New: Improvements to Air Quality.

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3. A Vibrant Town Centre


Improvement of 27 historic buildings through the Pontefract Townscape Heritage Initiative.

Regeneration Support and promotion of Pontefract as a home for independent retail.

Production of marketing material to promote Pontefract as a place for retail businesses to relocate to.

Economic Growth/Communications

Support and promotion of Pontefract as a home for independent retail.

Ongoing liaison and support for businesses provided by the Retail and Business Support Officer.



Retail Enhancement Fund (REF 2) grants pilot - supporting 2 properties in Pontefract in 2018/19.

Economic Growth Support and promotion of Pontefract as a home for independent retail.

Inception of Market Management Board and identification of priority actions.

Arts, Culture and Leisure Investment in markets to ensure Pontefract fulfils its potential to become a unique market in the north of England.

Wakefield Council to undertake a review of the District’s markets.


Scoping of options for improvements to Tanshelf and Horsefair.

Regeneration Improvements of gateways into town. Consolidation of Pontefract Town centre. Tanshelf Intervention Area. Horsefair Intervention Area.

Identify opportunities for town centre living. Regeneration Support for town centre living.

Environmental improvements in the Market Place, working with Pontefract in Bloom.

Regeneration/Economic Growth

Environmental improvements in the town centre e.g. greening of the Market Place.

Review of the policy and legislative environment that the Council has within its power, in order to identify opportunities for change that will be of benefit to Pontefract.


Support and promotion of Pontefract as a home for independent retail. A more diverse night time economy.

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4. Sustainable Communities


Planning process to ensure that services are provided to meet needs of growing communities.


Provision of relevant services to meet the needs of a growing population.

Ongoing work to attract inward investment to Pontefract.

Economic Growth Continued work to attract inward investment to Pontefract.

Development of pre-employment and pre-apprenticeship employability programmes.

Economic Growth Increase in apprenticeships and skills development to further support the skilled jobs sector.

Annual Careers Event for young people to be held 25 September 2018 at Pontefract Racecourse.


Secondary Schools engaged in the LCR Enterprise Adviser programme, providing young people with work experience and preparing them to be job-ready.


Go Higher West Yorkshire programme, working with disadvantaged young people in Pontefract to raise aspirations for progressing into higher education.

Economic Growth Increase in skills development to further support the skilled jobs sector.

Provision of adult and community education through local centres to support those adults furthest from the jobs market and in-work progression.


Provide access to employment programmes such as ‘Works Better’ linking unemployed and inactive residents with local employment opportunities, to further support in-work progression and higher level skills development.


Ongoing promotion of activities for young people - www.wfyouth.co.uk

Wakefield Youth Services and Young Lives

Explore options for creating activities for young people.

Identify opportunities to engage with the Wakefield Youth Council.

Regeneration - Wakefield Youth Services

Explore options for creating activities for young people. 4

5. Healthy and Happy Residents


Planning permission secured for the Leisure and Wellbeing Hub.

Arts, Culture and Leisure The successful delivery of the Leisure and Wellbeing Hub in 2020.

Development of walking activities. Continue to support newly established Pontefract Library and Friarwood Surgery as part of a wider Walking for Health Programme. Explore establishment of further Pontefract based walking activities e.g. Nordic Walking Circuits.

Arts, Culture and Leisure /Wakefield Cycle Forum

A reduction in health inequalities for all sectors of the population of Pontefract by creating a more active local population that is taking part in informal and formal activity.

Workplace Health Promotion Project - continue to support businesses in the Pontefract area, as part of wider Workplace Health Promotion Project, to improve the health of their employees and create healthy workplaces.

Arts, Culture and Leisure A reduction in health inequalities for all sectors of the population of Pontefract by creating a more active local population that is taking part in informal and formal activity.

Progress delivery of a walking trail for families in Pontefract Park.

Environment and Property The development of walking trails in selected green spaces.

Provision of Public Open Space and adequate play facilities provided through the planning process.


Ensure good quality and appropriate recreational provision is planned for all residential developments.

Provision of Virtual Volunteer Hubs. NOVA and Communities Opportunities for volunteers.

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Review of signage including finger posts, visitor information panels and heritage panels.

Regeneration/Arts, Culture and Leisure

Visitors will be able to easily navigate their way around the town through the provision of visitor information boards.

Explore installation of brown signage from the M62, A1 and A639 to indicate Pontefract as a visitor destination.

Regeneration/Arts, Culture and Leisure

Visitors will be able to easily navigate their way around the town through the provision of visitor information boards.

Pilot scheme for later opening hours for cafés on event days, Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday openings.

Economic Growth A continuous offer of available destinations as the day transitions into evening.

Promote Pontefract as an attractive place for investment for high quality restaurants and bars.

Economic Growth A more diverse night time economy with a range of high quality outlets including restaurants and bars.

Night time marshals in Pontefract on a Friday and Saturday night to tackle anti social behaviour.

Environment and Property A more diverse night time economy with a range of quality outlets.

Develop a long term visitor and promotion plan for Pontefract through better coordination and integration with wider promotional opportunities.

Arts, Culture and Leisure /Communications

To have developed a co-ordinated and strategic marketing approach for Pontefract.

Progress new developments that improve the overall visitor experience at the castle e.g. improved parking, introduction of play equipment, signage; development of the outer Bailey and other areas identified for appropriate development.

Arts, Culture and Leisure Further development of the visitor offer at the castle.

Work with partners/businesses in Pontefract to create a programme of outdoor festivals and events to attract more visitors.

Arts, Culture and Leisure Build a programme of outdoor festivals and events to attract and inspire more visitors.


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Explore seasonal lighting of the Buttercross. Regeneration Ideas to be explored that make better use of historic features such as the Grade II Buttercross.




Ongoing support for the Crescent Project. Crescent Cultural Centre CIC

Ongoing support for the Crescent Project.


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2. Well Connected


Ongoing lobbying for the tram-train proposal. Planning Transportation and Highways

The tram-train proposal that connects Pontefract and the Five Towns with Leeds, Wakefield and the wider rail network is a long term goal that goes beyond 2028.



“More frequent rail services to Pontefract Stations. Improve journey times and better connections. Better quality stock.

Assuming funding has been secured - progress the provision of car parking and disabled access to the second platform at Monkhill Station.


Monkhill Priorities: Extended parking provision; Disabled access to the second platform.

Lobbying for a third platform at Monkhill Station.


Monkhill Priorities: Third Platform.

Delivery of prioritised junction improvements. Planning Transportation and Highways

Congestion tackled across the network A review of problem junctions.

Lobbying for funding to remove low and narrow bridges which are barriers to growth and development.


A review of narrow roads passing through rail bridges.

Development of a District wide local cycle and walking plan - the Local Cycle Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

Planning Transportation and Highways/ WYCA


Pontefract - Knottingley Connect Scheme - to be delivered in phases. Colonel’s Walk to be completed 2019/20.



Progression of the South Featherstone Link Road (SFLR) project subject to available funding.



Delivery of rapid electric charging point for use by taxis and the public.

Environment and Street Scene

New: Improvements to air quality.

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Ongoing promotion of Pontefract as a place for retail businesses to relocate to.





Explore options for a new round of Retail Enhancement Grants.


Delivery of actions identified as priorities by the Arcadis review of the Market and the Market Management Board.


Steps taken to deliver priority actions for Horsefair and Tanshelf.


Progress opportunities for town centre living. Regeneration Support for Town Centre Living.

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Annual Careers Event for young people. Economic Growth Increase in apprenticeships and skills development to further support the skilled jobs sector.









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Work with DWP and Jobcentre Plus to deliver innovative solutions that make a lasting difference to life opportunities and maintain a presence in Pontefract Library and St Mary’s Community Centre.

Economic Growth Increase in apprenticeships and skills development to further support the skilled jobs sector. Ongoing support for the St Mary’s Centre as a community anchor and encourage sustainable growth of the skills and training that it offers.

Ongoing promotion of activities for young people - www.wfyouth.co.uk






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Construction of Leisure and Wellbeing Hub takes place (subject to planning permission being obtained).

Arts, Culture and Leisure The successful delivery of the Leisure and Wellbeing Hub in 2020.

Review the existing management plan for Pontefract Park, unless resources can be identified for a new management plan.

Environment and Property A new management plan for Pontefract Park to complement the offer of the Leisure and Wellbeing Hub.

Pontefract Walks for Health to be developed as part of a District wide initiative.

Arts, Culture and Leisure The development of walking trails in selected green spaces or even connecting green spaces.

Provision of public open space and play facilities in new housing schemes through the planning process.

Planning Transportation & Highways


Complete delivery of a walking trail for families in Pontefract Park.

Environment and Property The development of walking trails in selected green spaces.

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Steps taken to ensure that there are high quality things to do and visit in the town centre.

Economic Growth The town centre will be a safe and welcoming place for families.

Steps taken to attract high quality eateries and bars in the town centre.

Economic Growth A more diverse night time economy.

Develop plans for the next stage in the development of the castle.

Arts, Culture and Leisure Further development of the visitor offer at the castle.

Linkages between racecourse and town centre to be improved.


Improved footpath between access to the racecourse and improved connections to the town centre.

Scoping of options for a hotel in Pontefract. Regeneration/Economic Growth

A new hotel in Pontefract to accommodate the increased visitor demand.




Ongoing support for the Crescent Project. Crescent Cultural Centre CIC Ongoing support for the Crescent Project.

Pontefract Action Plan 2020-21 onwards Medium to Long Term

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2. Well Connected


Ongoing lobbying for the tram-train proposal. Planning Transportation and Highways

The tram-train proposal that connects Pontefract and the Five Towns with Leeds, Wakefield and the wider rail network is a long term goal that goes beyond 2028.



More frequent rail services to Pontefract Stations. Improve journey times and better connections. Better quality stock.

Lobbying for a third platform at Monkhill Station. Planning Transportation and Highways

Monkhill Priorities: Third Platform.

Delivery of prioritised junction improvements. Planning Transportation and Highways

Congestion Tackled across the network.A review of problem junctions.

Pontefract - Knottingley Connect Scheme - any remaining phases to be delivered.



Progression of the South Featherstone Link Road (SFLR) project.



Improve pedestrian and cycle access between Pontefract and Castleford.



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Ongoing marketing of Pontefract as a destination for independent retailers.






Explore options for further rounds of targeted Retail Enhancement Fund grants.


Delivery of actions identified as priorities by the Arcadis review of the market and the Market Management Board.

Arts, Culture and Leisure Investment in markets to ensure Pontefract fulfills its potential to become a unique market in the north of England.

Steps taken to deliver priority actions for Horsefair and Tanshelf.


Progress opportunities for town centre living. Regeneration Support for Town Centre Living.

Redevelopment of the Pontefract Swimming Baths site.

Regeneration The Pontefract swimming baths site will become a development opportunity after the Leisure and Wellbeing Hub opens in 2020.

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Annual Careers Event for young people. Economic Growth Increase in apprenticeships and skills development to further support the skilled jobs sector.









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Work with DWP and Jobcentre Plus to deliver innovative solutions that make a lasting difference to life opportunities and maintain a presence in Pontefract Library and St Mary’s Community Centre.

Economic Growth Increase in apprenticeships and skills development to further support the skilled jobs sector.Ongoing support for the St Mary’s Centre as a community anchor and encourage sustainable growth of the skills and training that it offers.

Promotion of activities for young people - www.wfyouth.co.uk






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Delivery of the Leisure and Wellbeing Hub. Arts, Culture and Leisure The successful delivery of the Leisure and Wellbeing Hub in 2020.

Delivery of improvements to Pontefract Park informed by the new management plan.


Delivery of native woodland planting in Pontefract Park and other environmental priorities identified in the Management Plan.


Planting of trees to support the Northern Forest. Environment and Property Enhance biodiversity habitats by increasing the number of green connections/corridors across Pontefract.

Support for volunteer groups - capacity building - helping to sustain numbers and sign posting to opportunities.

Communities Opportunities for volunteers.

Pontefract Walks for Health to be developed as part of a District wide initiative by the walking and cycling for health team. Including the development of walking trails in selected green spaces and connecting green spaces, plus walking routes linking the town centre to selected green spaces and the wider Public Right of Way Network (PRoW).

Arts, Culture and Leisure The development of walking trails in selected green spaces or even connecting green spaces.

Provision of public open space and play facilities in new housing schemes through the planning process.



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