Site for new apartments for Vico Homes residents confirmed
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Over 200 high quality and modern apartments are set to be built on Kirkgate, on the site of the former Wilko’s store and surrounding area.
The new accommodation will enable the residents currently living in four of the Vico Homes owned tower blocks to continue living in the city centre, if they choose to stay.
Manor, Trinity, Tudor and Warren House have been earmarked for demolition under proposals put forward to transform this area of Wakefield. The new apartments will be built in phase one of a 15-year plan for a new Cathedral Quarter. The plans will create a vibrant new part of the city for leisure, living, and events, giving the city a long-term sustainable future.
“The Council’s commitment to supporting the Vico Homes customers living in the city centre has been our top priority from the start. Everyone who wants to stay will be able to.
“We’re now able to bring forward a site that’s just across the road from the existing homes, so that these residents can remain in the heart of the city.
“The demolition of the former Wilko’s building is already complete, and the remaining buildings will come down this summer. Working with Vico Homes, we’ll do everything we can to bring these new homes to the city as quickly as possible.”
Mark Lynam
Corporate Director for Regeneration and Economic Growth
The new accommodation will be built on the east of Kirkgate, where the former Wilko’s building and ABC cinema used to stand. The cinema was demolished in 2023. The Harewood Arms is one of only a few Edwardian pubs left in the city and will remain in place as a landmark building in the Kirkgate area alongside a number of other properties. The rest will be demolished.
This site was allocated in the city centre masterplan as the Kirkgate Innovative Neighbourhood Gateway. It’s a prime location for new housing that will unlock a key gateway into the city. The wider Cathedral Quarter project will see a range of sustainable affordable and private housing built, bringing more people into the city centre.
Wakefield Council is continuing to work with Vico Homes to agree the Heads of Terms for the phase one social housing and to keep customers updated.
Sue Young, Executive Director of Homes and Growth for Vico Homes, said: “We’re really pleased that Wakefield Council has secured a site for development of affordable homes, so close to our existing apartments. We’re looking forward to working with the Council to provide new, high-quality homes for our customers.”
The plans will be subject to the usual planning process, with an application expected to be submitted early 2027 following consultation with Vico Homes’ customers and the wider community.
Once complete, the new housing will complement the Vico Homes new housing nearing completion on the former Chantry House site.
For more details on the Cathedral Quarter project visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/cathedralquarter. Customers can get in touch with Vico Homes on 0345 8 507 507 or at www.vicohomes.co.uk