The former Wheldale and Fryston colliery sites closed in the 1980s, was adopted into English Partnerships National Coalfield Programme in 2003 and since then extensive investigations have been undertaken into potential uses for the area.

These investigations have included community consultation, and have resulted in significant investment in the development of an innovative new village green, created by the world famous designer Martha Schwartz Inc (MSI) and Building Design Partnerships as the first stage of much larger proposals.

Birse Civils Ltd have been awarded the contract to reclaim the former Fryston and Wheldale Colliery by Wakefield Council, to be funded by English Partnerships the National Regeneration Agency.

Castleford Heritage Trust has been commissioned by English Partnerships to support the community during the development of the project and to provide an effective communication link for local people.

A Community Ranger is employed by CHT to work with local residents in getting their voice heard and passing on ideas to enable local input in the delivery of the design details of the overall masterplan for the Fryston Wheldale site.

To deliver the scheme, Birse Civils Ltd has teamed up with designers Scott Wilson based in Leeds, a partnership which worked successfully on the reclamation and remediation of Dinnington Colliery in 2004.  Earthmoving contractor Greyhound Plant Services and Ashlea Landscape Ltd are also partners in the scheme.

Planning permission for the detailed reclamation and outline housing plans approved on 29 May 2008 with the main reclamation works commencing in June 2008.  It is anticipated that the reclamation phase should be completed by Summer 2010 with the housing development commencing at a time thereafter.  Housing redevelopment will be subject to the authorities Housing Developer Framework currently being drawn up by Strategic Housing.

The main reclamation works to create the housing platform and the POS element of the scheme was completed in July 2009.  Further works to enhance the water barrel leisure facility are ongoing and will be completed by January 2009.

Works are now underway within the existing village to bring the roads up to adoptable standards, provide mains gas to every household and a mains sewerage provision to the existing and proposed additional housing.

The POS element of the scheme is already open to the public and an official opening will take place at the end of March 2010 once the improvements o the village are complete.  It is anticipated that the housing development land will be put out to tender in March 2010 and a developer appointed by November 2009.

WAKEFIELD COUNCIL ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE ABOVE FUNDER

Last updated 20 October 2009