Sewer discovery forces rethink of Wakefield city square
Plans for the demolition of two buildings to make way for a 15,500 sq ft social space have been put on hold following the finding.
The sewer was found underneath Bread Street, which dates back to the medieval times and is one of the city’s oldest streets, on the site where an electrical substation was to be located.
The cost of diverting the sewer means the council will have to go back to the drawing board on this aspect of the project and find somewhere else to house the substation.
It is expected that new designs will be drawn up and submitted for approval in spring next year, with the scheme still hopefully completing in 2027.
The new square will be next to the wider Cathedral Quarter scheme being delivered by Muse, which aims to deliver new homes, better connectivity across the city, a new hotel, museum, and library.
Claire Elliot, Wakefield Council’s director for economic growth and skills, said: “We’ve discovered that the location identified in the original planning application for the Bread Street substation sits above a sewer.
“Rather than divert the sewer, which would impact on the cost and delivery times of the project, we are now working to find the best location for the substation to enhance the original designs.”
