‘EXCITING’ plans which will help continue Cudworth’s transformation have been drawn up which include the demolition of housing to create a new park as part of a new masterplan.
According to Barnsley Council, its Principal Towns and Local Centres Programme for the area will focus on improving public spaces, help businesses and its shoppers.
As part of its next phase, a planning application has been submitted for a new urban park at the top end of the high street on Barnsley Road.
The site is currently occupied by the row of buildings known as The Crescent, which are in poor condition and are largely unoccupied.
According to the council, their plan is to demolish the row of buildings to make way for the new urban park. The park will have appealing landscaped areas which aim to involve the local community in planting as well as new paving, seating and a small clock tower, which will make an attractive ornamental feature at the centre of the park.
The local authority’s now inviting people to see and comment on the wider masterplan for Cudworth town centre, including proposed measures to ease traffic flow, provide extra parking and improve the public realm.
Two public consultation events which will take place at Cudworth Library today from 12.30pm and December 8 from 9am have also been announced.
Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “Our Principal Towns and Local Centres Programme has already delivered significant improvements for high streets, town centres and communities across the borough.
“I’m delighted we are now bringing forward these exciting plans for a new phase of investment in Cudworth’s already-busy and welcoming centre.
“We believe Barnsley is the place of possibilities and this investment in Cudworth supports our mission through the Inclusive Economic Growth Strategy to ensure that everyone in the borough can share in this vision.
“Please come along to our community engagement events to see what we have planned to drive Cudworth’s future prosperity.”
Barnsley Council has made major improvements to community facilities and key sites across Barnsley through the programme, kick-started as a knock-on impact of the town centre’s Glass Works regeneration.
So far in Cudworth, 55 businesses have had a helping hand to improve their shop fronts as well as new CCTV, extra car parking, resurfaced roads and the arrival of St John’s Gardens.
A council statement added: “We will continue to invest in community facilities and town centres across Barnsley so everyone can benefit from new opportunities and experiences. The masterplan will build on the work of the town centre investment plan published and presented to the council’s cabinet in 2022, which was developed in consultation with local people.
“This is the first in a collection of new masterplans for our six Principal Towns of Cudworth, Goldthorpe, Hoyland, Penistone, Royston and Wombwell.”
