‘Blackspot’ derelict sites which could be redeveloped

Long-standing derelict sites across the district could be transformed under new regeneration plans.
Clayton HospitalClayton Hospital
Clayton Hospital

Councillors put forward a list of buildings and pieces of land which had fallen into disrepair or had been neglected.

Wakefield Council’s overview and scrutiny committee then created a preliminary shortlist of more than 50 sites it wants to regenerate.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The former Clayton Hospital in Wakefield, the West End estate in Hemsworth and Carleton Lodge in Pontefract are among the sites identified by the council.

West End estate.West End estate.
West End estate.

Councillors are now preparing a strategy on how to improve the derelict sites.

Coun Graham Isherwood, chairman of the council’s overview and scrutiny committee, said: “We know that derelict sites can be very unsightly and can spoil the look of an area.

“Some of these sites are interfering with the regeneration of some areas and this is a problem that needs addressing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“So as a first step towards to tackling the issue we want to identify the full extent of the problem in our district.”

The former South Elmsall Fire Station on Barnsley Road has been subjected to endless vandalism since it closed in January this year.

Firefighters relocated to a new facility on South Kirkby Business Park but the former building is being targeted on a daily basis.

It could be redeveloped along with the Jubilee pub on White Apron Street and St Richards Hall on Common Road, both in South Kirkby.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

South Elmsall and South Kirkby councillor Michelle Collins said: “We are really keen to regenerate the derelict sites which are having a negative effect on our community.

“The Jubilee pub was thriving in its day but now that it is derelict there is a lot of anti-social behaviour, which is a big concern for neighbours living behind it.

“The building owners need to buck up their ideas and stop letting buildings become neglected because it is not fair on the community.”

The former ABC Cinema in Wakefield, which has stood empty for more than 16 years, has been earmarked for redevelopment.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Planning bosses had granted developers permission to replace the cinema with 119 flats, eight shops and a rooftop garden in 2009.

But work never started and the planning permission has now expired. The building has since been subjected to anti-social behaviour.

Clayton Hospital, which has fallen victim to vandalism since its closure three years ago, could be redeveloped.

The Heath travellers site entrance in Normanton and the British Oak public house in Stanley have both been put forward by councillors.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Normanton councillor Alan Wassell said: “The travellers site is one we have been looking at for some time. The Royal Sovereign pub has been boarded up for some time.

“An application has been submitted to turn the former HSBC bank in a family pub but we have two pubs boarded up. That’s why we’re doing this exercise to redevelop the black spots.”

Carleton Lodge in Pontefract, which has deteriorated over the last decade, and the former Kiwk Save site in Featherstone have also been earmarked for redevelopment.

Featherstone councillor June Cliffe MBE said: “I am really pleased with the plans because we have been trying to improve the sites for some time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“A lot of the sites when they become derelict become dumping grounds for rubbish for playing areas for children, which can be very dangerous. Hopefully they can be improved.”

Members of the overview and scrutiny committee are asking people to help identify more derelict sites that need redeveloped.

Coun Isherwood said: “We need to put together a comprehensive list of derelict sites and I’d like to ask residents to get involved by contacting their local councillor and passing on this information.”

To find who your ward councillor is log onto www.wakefield.gov.uk/about-the-council/councillors-and-mayor.

Ward 3: Altofts & Whitwood

King William IV, former public house, Cutsyke.

Ward 4: Castleford Central & Glasshoughton

Small area of land at the top of Barnes Road, Castleford.

Ward 5: Crofton, Ryhill & Walton

Parade of shops, Cow Lane, Havercroft

Old Co-op site, Cow Lane, Havercroft

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Derelict land at rear of Brooklands Crescent and East Street

Ward 6: Featherstone

Former Kibble Club, Sharlston

Former WMC, Streethouse

Former Chapel, Streethouse

Waste Ground, Streethouse

Former Kwik Save Site

Former Picture House Site

Former Soft Drink factory site

Derelict property at 29 Whinney Lane, Streethouse

Ward 7: Hemsworth

Old fish shop opposite First Avenue in Fitzwilliam

Farm Lane part owned by Wakefield Council in Fitzwilliam

Farmers Working Men’s Club in Kinsley

West End estate in Hemsworth

2 Close Street in Hemsworth

Pet Shop on Wakefield Road, Hemsworth

Jack Fulton’s shop on Bank Street, Hemsworth

Scrub land between Tesco and shops on Wakefield Road in Hemsworth

Fox public house in South Hiendley

Ward 8: Horbury and South Ossett

Old Church, South Ossett.

Ward 9: Knottingley

Cherry Tree public house on Cow Lane

Former Pollard’s Optic site

Former SYD club site

Ward 10: Normanton

The Royal Sovereign pub

Former Warmfield School

Normanton depot

Normanton station area

Former club on Wakefield Road

Land at King Edward Street.

Heath travellers site entrance

Newland Lane brick works chimney

Ward 13: Pontefract South

Carleton Lodge, Carleton Road, Carleton

Ward 14: South Elmsall and South Kirkby

GP surgery on Little Lane

Former South Elmsall Fire Station

Jubilee pub, White Apron Street, South Kirkby.

St Richards Hall, Common Road, South Kirkby,

Bungalow next to St Richards Hall

Former Frickley swimming baths, South Elmsall

Ward 15: Stanley and Outwood East

104 Leeds Road - corner of Newton Hill roundabout

British Oak public house, Aberford Road, Stanley.

Ward 16: Wakefield East

Old Wakefield Arms pub outside Kirkgate station

Chantry House, Kirkgate.

Manygates Hall in Woodlands Village

Former car sales showroom and forecourt on Doncaster Road

British Oak pub on Aberford Road.

Cottage, Ferry Lane Stanley, 50m from the junction with Aberford Road

Ward 17: Wakefield North

Former ABC Cinema

Former doctors house at Kemps Bridge

Clayton Hospital site

Ward 18: Wakefield Rural

Upper Lane, Netherton

Ward 19: Wakefield South

Derelict garages

Ward 20: Wakefield West

Derelict pub at the junction of Cross Lane and Horbury Road

Ward 21: Wrenthorpe and Outwood West

The former fat rendering factory on Lindale Lane between Wrenthorpe and Kirkhamgate

Related topics: