10-year plan submitted for Dewsbury to unlock £20m investment
A 10 year plan has been set for how £20m is going to be spent improving Dewsbury
Last updated 13th Nov 2025
Dewsbury has an opportunity to overcome “entrenched disadvantage”, a Neighbourhood Board report says, as a 10-year plan to improve the town takes the next steps.
Dewsbury is home to around 64,000 residents, with more than half of its neighbourhoods among the 20 per cent most deprived in the UK. Along with many other “overlooked” areas across the UK, Dewsbury was earmarked for a £20m cash boost back in 2023 as part of the Tory government’s Long-term Plan for Towns.
The investment was re-branded as the Plan for Neighbourhoods under the Labour government, with updated guidance issued. Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board is responsible for setting out how the £20m will be spent, with Kirklees Council the accountable body, managing the funding and delivering agreed improvements, or “interventions”.
The board has recently agreed a 10-year regeneration plan which will now be submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MCHLG), for consideration.
Interventions proposed under the plan will primarily target Dewsbury Town Centre, with over 70 per cent of participants in a survey describing it as “tired” and “neglected”, a report to the Neighbourhood Board explains. The board believes that focusing on this area will get the greatest visibility, reach the largest number of residents and act as a catalyst for wider regeneration.
Currently more than 20 per cent of the town centre’s commercial premises are vacant, with many historic buildings “underutilised”. Footfall has declined and the town centre offering is no longer considered to fully meet the needs of the community. Residents “frequently” report feeling unsafe, particularly in public spaces, undermining confidence and civic pride, the report adds.
But at the same time, the town centre is said to possess some of Dewsbury’s greatest assets, in the shape of historic architecture, underused public spaces and strong transport links. The board says that “revitalising the centre can create visible improvements that ripple into surrounding neighbourhoods, attract investment, and restore civic pride”.
One of the wider area’s biggest challenges is highlighted as safety, with the recorded 2023 crime rate 158.2 per 1000 people, compared to 92.8 nationally. The matters of deprivation, educational attainment and quality of housing are also raised as issues, along with health outcomes, which are below the national average.
The report adds: “Despite these challenges, Dewsbury’s strengths are clear. It has a resilient and committed population, a rich cultural mix, and unique heritage assets. Recent community initiatives and investment are beginning to shift momentum, and there is a strong appetite locally for change.
“With targeted support in skills, jobs, housing, health, safety, and town centre regeneration, Dewsbury has the opportunity to overcome entrenched disadvantage and unlock the potential of its young and diverse population, building a safer, fairer, and more vibrant future. This forms the foundation for a long-term plan to re-establish Dewsbury as a thriving and inclusive town at the heart of West Yorkshire.”
The vision is to see Dewsbury become a safe, vibrant and welcoming place where communities can live, work and connect. If the proposals go ahead as planned, historic buildings will be converted into affordable homes, community hubs and spaces for businesses and start-ups, while streets and public spaces are made safer, cleaner and more inviting.
The town board says that by 2036, success will be seen in increased footfall both day and night, with business setting up and staying open longer and thriving community activity. A statement adds: “Over the next decade, Dewsbury town centre will become a place of pride,
energy and possibility, where heritage and modern life can come together, and where people choose to live, visit and invest.”
After the plan was approved, Cllr Graham Turner, Cabinet member for Finance and Regeneration said: “This submission is a key step in developing a brighter future for Dewsbury. The partnership between the Neighbourhood Board and the council is integral to ensure that not only can we deliver these ambitions but make sure that the voices of the local community are being heard within the plans throughout and that will be clear within the delivery if agreed.”
Sophie Johnson, Chair of Dewsbury Neighbourhood Board, said: “Signing off our ambitious ten-year regeneration plan is an important milestone for Dewsbury. Alongside Kirklees Council, we have worked incredibly hard to get to this point, and I want to thank everyone who took part in shaping the strategy.
“The public has told us what matters most to them: breathing life back into our heritage buildings, creating a safe and inviting town centre, and supporting our local businesses. There’s also a strong desire to expand the town centre offer – from more community events and leisure options to greener, more attractive public spaces.
“I’m confident that this plan reflects those priorities and will continue to build on the great regeneration work already underway. With additional Government funding now within reach, we’re excited to keep unlocking Dewsbury’s potential and delivering lasting change.”