Castleford Town Board
The Castleford Town Board involves the community in planning for the town's future. They produced a successful Town Investment Plan and helped develop the Council's long-term strategy for Castleford Town Centre.
With funding secured, the Board will now work with the Council to manage project delivery.
What does this mean to me?
We're investing in Castleford to help it rediscover itself as a distinctive riverside market town. Between now and 2026, an exciting makeover is planned:
Watch a brief video about Castleford's unique riverside market town, cultural heritage, and plans for regeneration.
The Town Board will deliver four projects in Castleford which they believe will have a real, positive impact on the town. These are:
- Castleford Riverside – Making the most of the river as a destination, through:
- green public spaces
- commercial attractions
- improvements at Queens Mill will also create new space for business relocation and start-ups.
- Castleford Sagar Street project – Transforming Sagar Street into a creative business and enterprise quarter
- this will provide a revitalised link between the town centre and the riverside
- Heart of Castleford – Creating a new centrepiece for the town centre by expanding and enhancing Henry Moore Square
- this will give an exciting mix of flexible spaces for food, beverage and other leisure uses
- Castleford Connections – Helping people get around Castleford easier with:
- better signage and way finding
- seating in more locations
- improvements to urban greening across the town centre to help people get around Castleford.
Long Term Plan for Towns
Castleford will receive an additional £20 million for investment under the Government’s Long Term Plan for Towns. This money will fund small improvements across Castleford over the next 7 to 10 years.
On top of the £23.9 million Towns Fund for the town centre, Castleford will receive more funding. A series of engagement sessions have taken place with community groups, schools and Castleford College to help understand residents aspirations for a Castleford of the future. Their input will help shape the Vision for Castleford and the Investment Plan due by August 1, 2024.
To access this funding, Wakefield Council need to submit a 10-year Vision Document and a 3-year investment plan. This will outline the first 3 years of delivery and will focus on priorities for the town.
How do I get involved?
We're eager for Castleford residents to shape the future of their town. Even though Town Board engagement has finished, we're still seeking input to identify priorities for the Long Term Plan. Share your thoughts on changes you'd like to see across Castleford, beyond just the town centre. All ideas will contribute to the vision and investment plan.
Share your views by Friday, April 5, by marking the interactive map and completing the survey.
Board Chair profile
Steve Harrison – Chair of the Castleford Town Board
Organisation: Local College Director of Castleford College
About yourself
I have worked in Further Education for the past 20 years across the West Yorkshire region, initially specialising in Sports and Public Services delivery and now as a College Director. In my career I have worked within the Castleford and Wakefield area for several years and as the Local College Director of Castleford College, I am in the fortunate position to work closely with Castleford's local community on a daily basis.
In my career I have worked within the Castleford and Wakefield area for several years and as the Local College Director of Castleford College, I am in the fortunate position to work closely with Castleford's local community on a daily basis.
Why does Castleford matter to you?
Although I am not from Castleford, I am a proud Yorkshire man and with many years of experience working for the people Castleford and the surrounding areas. I am passionate about seeing the town and surrounding areas thrive.
I strongly believe that a good education, the right opportunities, and a positive environment is key to success and for a better, more prosperous life.
I trust that the Town Board can deliver this, and I am dedicated towards seeing Castleford become a vibrant town with fantastic services accessible to all our communities.
Board Membership
The Board is attended by Steve Harrison (Chair), representing Castleford College, and Yvette Cooper – MP for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford.
The Board is also made up of representatives from the following organisations:
- D Noble Homes Ltd
- Castleford Heritage Trust
- Wakefield and District Housing (WDH)
- Living Realms Ltd
- Recent Beans Ltd
- Castleford Civic Society
- Castleford Academies Trust
- West Yorkshire Police
- Castleford Tigers
- Local Councillors
To view, our general Board documents and meeting minutes go to our Castleford Town Board document library.