Our Vision for Castleford (PiP)

Our eight priorities for Castleford.

Better homes and neighbourhoods

Castleford is a key location for future housing growth.

The vision supports the delivery of more than 4,500 new homes across Castleford. With around 350 new homes in and around the town centre. This includes a mix of family housing, affordable homes and town centre living. All to create stronger neighbourhoods and bring more people into the heart of the town.

Major developments

• around 1,400 homes at SPA19

• 150 homes on the former Nestlé site

• the potential for around 800 homes at Stansfield Road and Wheldale Farm

• around 800 homes have already been delivered at Navigation Point.

Over the next four years, focus on preparing development sites and affordable housing. We will also raise private rented housing standards and bring empty homes back into use.

Education, skills and opportunity

We want local people to benefit from the opportunities created by Castleford's growth.

Delivering a Castleford Futures Skills Hub. With support for adult learning, business start-ups, apprenticeships and training opportunities. Collaborating with education providers, local businesses and employers. Helping local people access rewarding careers closer to home.

We want to explore opportunities to improve educational facilities. With more in-district SEND provision. And develop co-working spaces where learning and enterprise can work alongside each other.

A vibrant town centre

A successful town centre is at the heart of Castleford's future.

We will create a town centre that attracts visitors throughout the day and evening. With a mix of shopping, leisure, culture, events, food and community activity. And will bring empty buildings back into use and support local businesses to thrive.

Investment priorities include supporting town centre regeneration. We want to improve shopfronts and support markets and events. Also encourage new leisure uses and attractions that increase footfall and activity.

The long-term ambition is a town centre where more people choose to spend time. It support local businesses while creating a welcoming environment for residents and visitors.

Health and wellbeing

Creating a healthy town means investing in people as well as places.

We want to bring health and care services together in an Integrated Health Hub. And make it easier for residents to be active. Make it easier to access spaces that support physical and mental wellbeing.

Future investment will focus on active travel, parks, sports facilities and recreation. Riverside improvements and new facilities will contribute to healthier lifestyles and stronger communities.

Beautiful streets, spaces and places

Great public spaces help create great towns.

The vision will improve the look and feel of Castleford. Through the creation of high-quality public spaces and community activity. We will also focus on attractive streets, better lighting, landscaping and seating.

Henry Moore Square, Carlton Street, Sagar Street and the riverside will all have a glow up. With plans to increase greening, support town centre events. And improve safety through lighting and CCTV enhancements where needed.

The aim is to create places where people feel welcome, safe and proud of their surroundings.

Better connections

Castleford benefits from excellent regional transport links. But there is more work to do to improve connections within the town.

The vision supports improvements to walking and cycling routes. Stronger links between neighbourhoods and the town centre. And better connections between transport hubs, homes, workplaces and community facilities.

Future investment will include active travel improvements. We will explore opportunities for mobility hubs and smarter transport solutions. The aim is to make travelling around Castleford easier, safer and more accessible.

Celebrating heritage and identity

Castleford's history is one of its greatest strengths.

From its Roman origins and industrial heritage. To its sporting achievements and cultural landmarks, the town has a rich story. The vision places heritage and identity at the centre of regeneration and growth.

Our priorities include preserving historic buildings and supporting Queens Mill. , celebrating Roman heritage, commissioning public art and creating projects that tell Castleford's story. Plans also include supporting events, cultural activities. Improvements that strengthen local pride and identity.

Climate resilience and nature recovery

The vision supports a greener and more sustainable future for Castleford.

We will focus on creating greener streets, planting trees and connecting to nature. This includes strengthening green corridors and improving riverside habitats.

To create healthier environments for people while supporting long-term environmental sustainability.

Castleford is already benefiting from significant investment and regeneration activity.

Riverside Park

Castleford's riverside is a new public space that reconnects the town with the River Aire. People can spend time outdoors, enjoy nature, attend events. And access the waterfront more easily.

One of Castlefords historic buildings, Queen's Mill has recieved investment. Creating new opportunities for community use, heritage activities and business development. These improvements will help make the riverside a major asset for the town. And create a stronger link between the town centre and the river.

Castleford Connections

The Castleford Connections programme is improving the way people move around the town. Making walking, cycling and travelling between key destinations safer, easier and more attractive.

It includes updates to public spaces with new signage, lighting, seating, CCTV, public art. With upgraded pedestrian routes. In early 2025, connectivity at the railway station was completed. With wider town centre improvements expected to continue through to 2027. These changes will help people navigate the town more easily. And encourage more residents and visitors to spend time in the town centre.

Town centre improvements

Investment is helping to revitalise Castleford town centre. Improving both its appearance and its appeal to businesses, residents and visitors.

On Sagar Street, independent businesses have received grants. So far, 19 businesses have improved shopfronts and building frontages. Enhancing the appearance of the street and supporting local traders. Plans are also progressing for the refurbishment of the former Mechanics Institute building. Further work around Henry Moore Square will support events and public activity.

Market improvements

Castleford Indoor Market was refurbished in 2023. Creating a brighter, more welcoming space for traders, shoppers and visitors. Work included redecoration, upgraded entrances, new lighting and improvements to the building's exterior.

The market now includes dedicated event space and communal seating. The market will continue to play an important role in attracting visitors. And maintaining a vibrant town centre.

Rail and Bus Station Improvements

Castleford has seen major investment in its transport infrastructure. Making it easier for people to travel to and from the town.

The railway station has had an upgrade. With the addition of a new second platform and more services to Leeds, York and Manchester. The bus station has also improved facilities for passengers, cyclists and pedestrians. Creating a more connected transport hub. Supporting Castleford's role as an important part of the regional transport network. Connecting residents to employment, education and leisure opportunities across West Yorkshire and beyond.

Public art and heritage projects

New public art is helping to celebrate Castleford's identity, history and culture. While improving the look and feel of the town centre.

Recent projects include a large-scale mural on Welbeck Street. The artwork celebrates key moments in Castleford's history. Forming part of a wider programme of cultural improvements across the town. Alongside public art, heritage projects are helping to preserve important local landmarks. While creating opportunities for future generations.

Alongside the long-term vision, an initial four-year investment plan has been developed to support projects and activities that will help deliver change across Castleford.

Regeneration, high streets and heritage (£4.8 million)

This is the largest area of planned investment and includes projects that support the regeneration of Castleford town centre, improvements to high streets and public spaces, heritage projects and the preparation of key development sites that can help deliver future homes, jobs and investment.

Programme resourcing (£798,500)

Funding will support the staff, project management and specialist expertise needed to develop projects, secure additional funding and ensure the programme is delivered successfully over the next four years.

Safety and security (£697,500)

Investment will support initiatives that help create safer, cleaner and more welcoming public spaces. This includes town centre management, enforcement activity and projects designed to improve community safety and confidence.

Health and wellbeing (£420,000)

Funding will support projects that encourage healthier lifestyles, improve access to recreation and active travel opportunities, and help people make the most of Castleford's green spaces and community facilities.

Cohesion (£355,000)

Investment will support community-led projects, events and activities that bring people together, strengthen local pride and help residents play a role in shaping Castleford's future.

Housing (£118,000)

Funding will support housing-related initiatives, including work that helps improve housing outcomes for residents and supports future housing growth across Castleford.

Transport (£50,000)

Investment will help improve connections around Castleford and support work that identifies opportunities to make it easier for people to access services, jobs and local destinations.

Residents, businesses and community organisations have helped shape the vision for Castleford. We've held onsultations, engagement activities and community discussions. This feedback has helped identify what matter most. And the opportunities people want to see in the future.

What we heard

Recent research found that:

• 47% of residents are satisfied with Castleford as a place to live

• 36% feel the area has declined over the last year

• 44% believe Castleford is behind compared with other areas

People also highlighted these issues that affect day-to-day life:

• anti-social behaviour (67%)

• crime (56%)

• drug-related issues (54%)

• vandalism (40%)

Despite these concerns, there was also a strong sense of pride in Castleford. And a real desire to see the town succeed.

Residents' priorities

When asked, residents wanted more focus on:

• cleaner, safer public spaces

• a stronger town centre and high street

• better transport and connectivity

• improved housing and neighbourhoods

• more opportunities for jobs and skills

• better facilities for young people

• celebration of Castleford's heritage and identity

• more green spaces and community facilities

Residents said...

"Improve kerb appeal of the town centre with seating, street improvements and shop fronts."

"Draw more people into the town centre through leisure and entertainment drivers. Food, drink, culture and events."

"Reconnect outskirt areas of Castleford with the town so they don't become suburbs of Leeds and have identity with Castleford."

"Improved lighting in parks and streets will increase feeling of safety."

"Extending riverside walk to connect with Fairburn Ings and connections with the wider area."

"Better play area provision needed for very young children and toddlers, particularly in the town centre."

"More active green and interactive trails."

"Rolling programme of activity through the seasons to draw people in."

How the vision responds

These priorities can be seen throughout the Pride in Place vision:

You told us

Improve the town centre

We're responding by

Investment in town centre regeneration, events, markets and bringing buildings back into use

You told us

Make public spaces safer

We're responding by

Improvements to lighting, public realm, town centre management and community safety initiatives

You told us

Better connections

We're responding by

Investment in walking, cycling and transport links

You told us

More things to do

We're responding by

Support for leisure, culture, events and community activities

You told us

Celebrate local heritage

We're responding by

Investment in heritage buildings, public art and cultural projects

You told us

More green spaces

We're responding by

Riverside Park, greening projects and nature recovery initiatives

Pride in Place will include funding for community-led projects across Castleford.

Community groups, charities and voluntary organisations will be able to apply for grants. Between £100 and £10,000 available for projects that improve local neighbourhoods.

Funding could support:

• community activities and events

• environmental improvements

• heritage projects

• health and wellbeing initiatives

• education and skills activity

• improvements to community spaces

Further information about community grants will be published once the programme launches.