Council plans to lease land to The Hepworth Wakefield Garden Trust

​Wakefield’s key decision makers are to consider leasing land adjacent to the award-winning Hepworth Wakefield to help bring the Gallery’s Garden Project to life and aid the future development of the Wakefield Waterfront area.

The Council’s Cabinet is being asked to lease the land, situated between Tootal Street and Gallery Walk, to The Hepworth Wakefield Garden Trust for it to be used for The Hepworth Garden Project. If approved, a 30 year lease would be granted at a peppercorn rent.

The Hepworth gallery has an international high profile attracting around 2 million visitors since it opened in 2011. The development of the garden as an attraction in its own right will help bring even more visitors into the Wakefield Waterfront and surrounding areas.

The completion of the lease will enable the Trust to access Arts Council funding and other relevant funding programmes necessary to deliver this flagship project.

​Cllr Denise Jeffery, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth, said: “The Wakefield Waterfront area is an important historic site in the city and this project will help support its redevelopment into a key creative hub in the North.

“By leasing this area of land at a peppercorn rent we can help support the project to thrive and flourish. It will not only support The Hepworth Wakefield but complement the forthcoming Rutland Mills regeneration project, seeing the area become a significant cultural destination.”

The Hepworth Riverside Gallery Garden, designed by Tom Stuart-Smith, aims to be an inspiring free public space for the residents of Wakefield, visitors and families. It will provide a place for residents and visitors to enjoy and explore beautiful landscaping, discover sculpture and visit temporary installations.

The report notes that the garden project will complement the Council’s master plan for existing uses and future development of the Waterfront area.

The plans will be discussed at the Council’s Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 6 November at 10.30am. The meeting will be live-streamed, and then available to watch again later, at www.wakefield.gov.uk/livestream