Grand Designs on Castleford
The Castleford Project is an initiative committed to revitalising the town. The progress of the project is being filmed by production company Talkback UK and will be screened by Channel 4 in a major new series. The projects are about improving the quality of life, supporting neglected neighbourhoods, improving the safety and well being of the community and providing opportunities for young people.

Castleford Project Background information
• The Castleford Project is a unique partnership between Channel 4 and regional and national organisations – to develop11 community improvement schemes in this former mining town in West Yorkshire.
• The Project partnership is led by Wakefield District Council and Wakefield District Strategic Partnership, working closely with English Partnerships and Yorkshire Forward, the regional agency responsible for economic development. Other key partners are Groundwork Wakefield, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and CABE, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. The Arts Council and Waste Recycling Environmental, WREN.
• Channel 4’s involvement in the project is in line with its commitment to public service broadcasting. It has commissioned independent production company Talkback to produce a series of landmark TV programmes on the work of the Project. Presenter is Kevin McCloud, the face of Channel 4’s ‘Grand Designs’.
• £6 million worth of funding has already been raised to start the work, which is designed to support wider regeneration initiatives.
• All of the projects were identified as priorities by local people, at a series of public events in 2003. Local community representatives are helping to drive the schemes forward.
• The schemes feature the work of an acclaimed set of designers which promise to make Castleford a distinctive place in the future Leading figures in the creation of exciting new public spaces, Jan Gehl from Denmark and United States based Martha Schwartz are involved alongside RIBA award winning Sarah Wigglesworth MBE and Deborah Saunt of DHDSA; bridge designer Renato Benedetti of McDowell Benedetti; Hudson Architects; Leeds based Allen Tod and landscape planners Parklife
• Work is almost finished at the first project site at New Fryston a former mining village just outside Castleford town centre where internationally renowned designer Martha Schwartz is creating a new village green.
• Funded by English Partnerships, the national agency responsible for regeneration, this imaginative £1 million project includes new seating and green areas, walkways and a modern bridleway for local horse riders. It has been designed to be part of a wider masterplan to revitalise this former mining village with elements that reflect the area’s heritage and is due for completion in January 2005.

The other schemes are
River Crossing – new pedestrian bridge between town centre, Lock Lane and Castleford Lock.
Project team McDowell and Benedetti (Design); Alan Baxter Associates, and Arup Water, (Engineering). In design development funders include English Partnerships, (EP) and Yorkshire Forward, (YF).

Castleford Waterfront – new sheltered seating and river viewing platforms.
Design by award winning Sarah Wigglesworth MBE. At feasibility stage of design development.

Town Centre – (1) relocation of the outdoor market, (2) improvements to Carlton Square and (3) Sagar Street. About to be submitted for detailed planning permission.
Hudson Architects (Design). Funders: Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, (WMDC); YF and Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, (NRF)

Sagar Street gallery/exhibition space – derelict furniture shop to become Project centre and modern café/gallery. First phase complete.
Carey Jones (Design). Funders: WMDC, NRF, EP, Coalfields Regeneration Trust,(CRT) and support in kind from C6 Solutions and D&R Group.

Tittle Cott Underpass – new pedestrian walkway linking Vickers Street and Carlton Lanes shopping centre and a new seating area. Designs being revised due to changes in the scale of the scheme.
Project team DSDHA (Design) Jane Wernick Associates, (Engineering) Martin Richmond, (Lighting). Funders: WMDC, YF,NRF Network Rail and Edinburgh House Estates.

The Green, Ferry Fryston – new entrance, improved play and leisure facilities and landscaping to community park.
Project team Parklife (design) Funders: CRT, EP, Waste Recycling Environmental, (WREN) SureStart and Single Regeneration Budget, (SRB). Work due to start January 2005.

Cutsyke Playforest – derelict area of former council allotments to be transformed into adventure play forest.
Project team Estell Warren and Allen Tod, (Design); Groundwork Wakefield (Community support). Planning permission approved. Work due to start in January 2005. Funders: WREN, WMDC, SRB Living Spaces, CRT.

Wilson Street – community development and improvements to urban street scene.
Master plan created by Allen Tod Architecture. Community now working on detailed design plans. Funders: WMDC, NRF.

Work is also about to start on schemes at Ferry Fryston and Cutsyke to enhance an existing community park and create an exciting children’s playforest. Other schemes include a new pedestrian bridge across the Rivers Aire and Calder; an enhanced riverfront area, town centre improvements, relocation and improvements to the outdoor market and further development of an exhibition office/modern gallery space.

Community involvement
A team of Community Champions have been crucial to the Project’s success. They work with Project Managers from Wakefield District Council and the Project Executive track progress.
A new Castleford Community Forum was launched recently by established community groups. Its aim is to encourage new organisations, help them to set up and offer advice on access to funding and support.
Some of the champions have also successfully graduated from a specialist education programme, which focuses on regeneration. Sponsored by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, the students attended Regen School. More information from www.regenschool.com.