Wakefield Metropolitan District Council

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PART ll VOLUME 3 Northern Area Proposals

Pontefract
5.1 EMPLOYMENT PROPOSALS
	5.1.1 Introduction
	5.1.2 Employment Zones
	5.1.3 Employment Sites
	5.1.4 Coal and Other Mineral Resources

5.2 HOUSING PROPOSALS
	5.2.1 Introduction
	5.2.2 Housing Sites

5.3 COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROPOSALS
	5.3.1 Introduction

5.4 TRANSPORT PROPOSALS
	5.4.1 Introduction
	5.4.2 Major Highway Schemes

5.5 ENVIRONMENT AND OPEN LAND PROPOSALS
	5.5.1 Introduction
	5.5.2 Archaeological Sites
	5.5.3 Historic Park/Garden/Battle Site/Landscape
	5.5.4 Green Belt
	5.5.5 Protected Areas of Search for Long Term Development
	5.5.6 Washlands

5.6 LEISURE PROPOSALS
	5.6.1 Introduction
	5.6.2 Public Local Amenity Open Space
	5.6.3 Community Use of Leisure Facilities
	5.6.4 Cycle Route Network

5.7 TOWN CENTRE AND RETAILING PROPOSALS
	5.7.1 Introduction
	5.7.2 Key Issues
	5.7.3 Policies & Proposals
	5.7.4 Shopping
	5.7.5 Commercial Development
	5.7.6 Industry / Warehousing
	5.7.7 Housing
	5.7.8 Leisure & Open Space
	5.7.9 Transport
	5.7.10 Possible Development Sites
	5.7.11 Conservation Areas

5.8 SPECIAL POLICY AREAS AND SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING GUIDANCE
	5.8.1 Introduction

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5.1 EMPLOYMENT PROPOSALS
5.1.1 Introduction
Haribo Dunhill & Monkhill Confectionery are major employers in Pontefract. Other industries are concentrated within and around the central area. There are two main areas of established manufacturing and engineering industries - the mixed area of old and new developments around the eastern side of the centre and the more recent developments at Tanshelf. In the central area itself, office, hotel and other service industries provide an additional range of employment.
There are limited opportunities for the allocation of new sites for employment in the Pontefract Community Area, but land is allocated for industry at Park Road adjoining the former Prince of Wales Colliery and on the site of a former coking plant and colliery yard in the adjoining Castleford Community Area. The strategic industrial estates at Normanton and Whitwood, serving the whole Plan area, are also readily accessible. Improvements to Wash Dyke are required to facilitate significant housing and industrial development in north Pontefract and western Knottingley.

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5.1.2 Employment Zones
Policies relating to existing employment uses and supporting information are to be found in Section 5 of Volume 2 of the Plan.


THE AREAS LISTED BELOW ARE DESIGNATED EMPLOYMENT ZONES, WITHIN WHICH POLICY I5 WILL APPLY:
PNT 1	EAST OF PONTEFRACT TOWN CENTRE (14.4 HECTARES/36 ACRES APPROX)

This large area surrounds the eastern side of the town centre and includes a variety of industrial uses, including a gas depot on Back Northgate, a number of confectionery, soft drinks and clothing manufacturers, some heavier industrial uses around Bondgate and a scrapyard off Baghill Lane. It also contains two significant areas of housing and some offices which are expected to be retained in their existing use for the foreseeable future, and their amenity will be safeguarded in any further development within the zone.


PNT 2	TANSHELF INDUSTRIAL ESTATE (6.1 HECTARES/15 ACRES APPROX)

The industrial estate has been developed comparatively recently and the industrial premises are therefore relatively modern.

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5.1.3 Employment Sites


IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY THE FOLLOWING SITE IS ALLOCATED FOR EMPLOYMENT USES AND RELATED DEVELOPMENT:
PNT 4	PARK ROAD (15 HECTARES/37 ACRES APPROX)

A development brief for this site proposing industrial development for large users was approved by the Council. Planning permission for industry (Classes B1, B2 and B8) and retail development was granted on appeal by the Secretary of State for the Environment on the southern part of the site. The retail development has now taken place and about 4.5 hectares of land remain available for employment uses. The remaining part of the site which lies north of the Prince of Wales Colliery access road, has been developed for employment use. Park Road is a busy principal road on which traffic speeds are high. Substantial off-site road works including a roundabout have been carried out to create a satisfactory vehicular access. It may not be possible to drain all or part of the site by gravity to the public sewers. The site generally drains to Fryston Beck to the north - drainage to Wash Dyke should not be considered. A 12" gas main crosses the south-eastern corner of the site. Past shallow coal workings may exist within the site and there is the possibility of a coal seam outcrop.

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5.1.4 Coal and Other Mineral Resources
The Plan recognises the important role of the mining industry in the economy of the Pontefract area. The Prince of Wales Colliery in Pontefract, the last remaining active colliery in Wakefield Metropolitan District, closed in August 2002. Extraction of coal at the former Cornwall Opencast Coal Site has ceased and much of the land has been restored to agricultural use. However, the limestone quarry at Darrington Leys is still active.


POLICY OL7 WILL PROTECT THE FOLLOWING AREA WHICH IS SHOWN ON THE PROPOSALS MAP:
PNT 5	DARRINGTON LEYS (LIMESTONE)

This area lies to the north east of Darrington adjoining the M62 motorway and the boundary with North Yorkshire.

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5.2 HOUSING PROPOSALS
5.2.1 Introduction
Section 6 of Volume 2 of the Plan describes the role of the Plan in relation to the housing needs of the District. There are now few vacant sites remaining within the main housing areas suitable for infill development, although clearance sites within the central area may provide some capacity for housing in the future. It was therefore necessary to consider land on the periphery of the built-up area to meet housing needs.
Land on the eastern side of the town is generally classified as grade II quality agricultural land and is often prominent in views over a considerable distance. Other aspects such as Green Belt criteria, access to the main road network and central facilities, environmental considerations and land drainage also support a restriction on future development on the eastern boundaries of the town, and in Carleton and Darrington.
Immediately to the north-west of the town lie the former Prince of Wales Colliery and Pontefract Park and racecourse. To the west, the Green Belt consists of agricultural land which effectively separates Pontefract from Featherstone and this is considered to be critical, particularly in relation to the open aspects.
To the north of the town, much of the existing development is already in close proximity to the M62 motorway, but a substantial wedge of former agricultural land between Monkhill Lane and the Nevison Estate is being developed as a major new housing area without encroachment into open countryside.
To the south of the town there are two areas of agricultural land which, if developed, would extend the urban area into the countryside. Nevertheless they provide the potential for long term development and the favoured use for all or part of the sites would be residential. They are therefore designated as Protected Areas of Search for Long Term Development, PNT 40 and PNT 44.
The Development Strategy section of Volume 1 states the Plan strategy for meeting housing needs within the Plan Area.
In view of the large scale employment land proposals in the nearby Normanton and Castleford Community Areas, it is appropriate to make provision for new housing in Pontefract, thereby providing opportunity for people to live close to their work and reduce the need to travel.
Should the demand for housing in the later years of the Plan period exceed the amount of housing land allocated, then additional land for housing will be found through a review of the remaining sites designated Protected Areas of Search for Long Term Development.

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5.2.2 Housing Sites


IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICY H1 THE FOLLOWING SITES, AS SHOWN ON THE PROPOSALS MAP, ARE ALLOCATED FOR HOUSING AND RELATED PURPOSES:
PNT 7	OLD HALL FARM, MONKHILL (20 HECTARES/48 ACRES)

This site has full planning permission for housing and a substantial proportion is under construction or completed.


PNT 8	LADY BALK LANE, MONKHILL (5.3 HECTARES/12.8 ACRES)

This site has full planning permission for housing and development is nearing completion.


PNT 9	STUMPCROSS LANE (2.6 HECTARES/6.4 ACRES)

This is has full planning permission for housing and development is nearing completion.


PNT 11	HALFPENNY LANE (1.3 HECTARES/3.3 ACRES)

This site has outline planning permission for a social housing development by a housing association.
Improvement of Halfpenny Lane, including footways and new lighting, will be required in connection with further development. Surface water drainage improvements will also be required.


PNT 64	SOUTH OF WILLOWDENE LANE, LADY BALK, PONTEFRACT (3.7 HECTARES)

This site was formerly a PAS status area.
Inadequate access is the main constraint to the development of the site. Improvements to the private unmade street will be required.
Separate systems of foul and surface water drainage will be necessary and surface water on-site balancing will be required. Watercourse improvements may also be necessary and Sutton sewage treatment works may require additional capacity.
A noise assessment will be required regarding the industrial premises in the vicinity. A former waste disposal site adjoins the site, and landfill gas investigations will also be required.
Proposals for the development of this site must accord in particular with the principle stated in paragraph 6.4.19 and policies H18 and H8 of the Policies and Reasoned Justification document.


PNT 65	SCHOFIELD'S FACTORY SITE, NORTH BAILEYGATE, PONTEFRACT (1.1 HECTARE)

This site, formerly designated part of an industrial zone, lies on the eastern side of the town centre, close to All Saints Church. It is considered that the site has a potential capacity for a minimum of 33 dwellings.
Vehicular access to the site is to be taken from North Baileygate. Investigations will be required regarding possible landfill gas migration from an adjoining former tip site, possible industrial contamination from the site's previous usage, and in relation to land drainage, the boundaries of the 1 in 100 year flood area. The site adjoins a scheduled Ancient Monument and therefore an archaeological survey will be necessary.
A noise assessment will be required regarding nearby industrial premises, and investigations into additional capacity requirements at Sutton Sewage Treatment Works may be necessary.
An element of affordable housing may be required as part of the development of this site in accordance with UDP policy H4.


PNT 66	GROVE ROAD, PONTEFRACT (0.5 HECTARES)

This site comprises the former S R Gent factory. A planning application to redevelop the site for housing has been received. Residential is considered to be an appropriate use for the site.

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5.3 COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROPOSALS
5.3.1 Introduction
The Council's community facilities land use policy is outlined in Section 9 of Volume 2. The provision of facilities on small sites, such as those required by the Library Service or Social services, normally falls below the size threshold for inclusion in the Plan. Small sites to accommodate such uses are not therefore identified on the Proposals Map. These facilities could be provided on small sites within the urban area or on parts of sites allocated primarily for other purposes.

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5.4 TRANSPORT PROPOSALS
5.4.1 Introduction
The Transport Section of Volume 1 of the Plan presents a package of policies which seek to ensure that the accessibility needs of all sections of the community are fully met for existing and new development through an acceptable level of investment.
The Local Transport Plan identifies the Five Towns (together with the South East Area) for targeting resources and measures. For the Pontefract Community Area there will be an emphasis on improving the attractiveness of bus services for residents, and on improving conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, particularly for school journeys. Cycle track provision along the A639 Park Road is included in the Council's cycle route network.
The railway line between Pontefract and Wakefield was reopened for passenger services in 1992. It provides a service via the Wakefield stations to Leeds and improvements to the frequency and timing are dependant on the Leeds West End scheme, started in 1999. New park and ride stations have been provided at Pontefract Tanshelf, Featherstone and Streethouse.

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5.4.2 Major Highway Schemes


THE FOLLOWING MAJOR HIGHWAY SCHEMES WILL BE PROTECTED FROM DEVELOPMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICY T6 PENDING FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS:
PNT 12	SOUTH EAST LINK ROAD

This scheme will provide local bypasses to the village of Ackworth, the community of Featherstone, and to the western side of Pontefract, reducing safety and environmental problems in these localities. Together with the completed Hemsworth by-pass and new highway infrastructure in the Barnsley Northern Towns the scheme will also contribute to improving accessibility for facilitating the growth of new industries close to the former mining communities.


PNT 13	A1 IMPROVEMENTS

The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions intends to upgrade the Redhouse to Hook Moor sections of the A1 trunk road. Construction of the Ferrybridge-Hook Moor motorway section is scheduled to take place during the later years of the plan period and completion is expected in 2006. A formal preferred route has not been established for the Redhouse-Ferrybridge section and its construction is not programmed, but a route is being safeguarded. This scheme is to be the subject of further studies and/or consideration by the regional planning conference. The benefits to this District in terms of improved accessibility, the alleviation of congestion and improvements to safety will be significant. The road proposals could have implications for future potential development land.

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5.5 ENVIRONMENT AND OPEN LAND PROPOSALS
5.5.1 Introduction
The quality of the urban environment of Pontefract is generally high, enhanced by its many significant features of historic value particularly within the central area, but also exhibiting a high overall standard of housing environment. Some of the older parts of the town, however, suffer the adverse effects of mixed industrial uses, some of which are on cramped sites, and an out-dated and inadequate road network. The town is surrounded on the south and east by an attractive rural belt of good quality agricultural land and the villages of Carleton and Darrington are still semi-rural in character, despite some degree of development in recent years.
Conservation Areas in this Community Area fall within the town centre, and details are provided in Section 5.7.11.

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5.5.2 Archaeological Sites
Section 3.6 of Volume 2 contains the policies explanation and interpretive material relating to Buildings and Sites of Archaeological interest. These are related to the Pontefract Community Area as follows:-


POLICIES E13, E14, E15, E17, E18 AND E19 SHALL APPLY TO THE FOLLOWING AREAS LOCATED ON THE PROPOSALS MAP AS CLASS I AND CLASS II SITES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL VALUE, REGISTERED ON THE COUNTY SITES AND MONUMENTS RECORD:
PNT 15	CLASS I PONTEFRACT CASTLE

PNT 16	CLASS I SITE OF ST. JOHN'S PRIORY

PNT 17	CLASS II LAND AT DARRINGTON WINDMILL

PNT 18	CLASS II LAND OFF CARLETON ROAD, DARRINGTON

PNT 19	CLASS II LAND NEAR WINDSOR RISE, PONTEFRACT

PNT 20	CLASS II LAND NEAR LARKS HILL, PONTEFRACT

PNT 21	CLASS II LAND AT DARKFIELD LANE / HOLMFIELD LANE, PONTEFRACT

PNT 22	CLASS II LAND TO WEST OF DARKFIELD LANE / HOLMFIELD LANE, PONTEFRACT

PNT 23	CLASS II LAND AT MARKET PLACE, PONTEFRACT

PNT 24	CLASS II LAND AT PONTEFRACT INFIRMARY, SOUTHGATE, PONTEFRACT

PNT 25	CLASS II LAND AT SOUTH BAILEYGATE / NORTH BAILEYGATE

PNT 26	CLASS II LAND OFF MARLPIT LANE , PONTEFRACT

PNT 27	CLASS II LAND NEAR CHURCH FARM, BACK LANE, PONTEFRACT

PNT 28	CLASS II LAND AT MILL HILL FIELDS DARRINGTON

PNT 29	CLASS II LAND SOUTH OF SPITAL GAP LANE, DARRINGTON

PNT 30	CLASS II LAND NORTH OF SPITAL GAP LANE, DARRINGTON

PNT 31	CLASS II LAND OFF LONG LANE, CARLETON

PNT 32	CLASS II LAND OFF LEYS ROAD, DARRINGTON

PNT 33	CLASS II LAND NEAR HODGEWOOD FARM, DARRINGTON

PNT 34	CLASS II SITE OF DARRINGTON CHURCH, CHURCH LANE, DARRINGTON

PNT 35	CLASS II LAND NEAR VALLEY PLANTATION, DARRINGTON

PNT 36	CLASS II LAND NEAR PEAR TREE FARM, SOWGATE LANE, PONTEFRACT

PNT 37	CLASS II LAND ADJACENT TO PONTEFRACT CASTLE

PNT 38	CLASS II LAND TO SOUTH EAST OF EASTBOURNE

PNT 39	CLASS I LAND AT FERRYBRIDGE ROAD / STUMPCROSS LANE, PONTEFRACT

PNT 67	CLASS I CROSS, ST LUKE AND ALL SAINTS CHURCH, DARRINGTON

PNT 69	CLASS II LAND NEAR BANK'S CROFT, DARRINGTON

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5.5.3 Historic Park / Garden / Battle Site / Landscape


POLICY E63 SHALL APPLY TO THE FOLLOWING AREA ALLOCATED ON THE PROPOSALS MAP AS A HISTORIC PARK/GARDEN:
PNT 70	GRADE II HISTORIC PARK/GARDEN, FRIARWOOD VALLEY GARDENS

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5.5.4 Green Belt
Section 10 of Volume 2 contains the Plan policies, explanation and interpretative material, relating to the Green Belt. The Green Belt within the Pontefract Community Area is described below:-

POLICIES OL1,OL2 AND OL14-19 SHALL APPLY TO THE AREAS SHOWN AS GREEN BELT ON THE PROPOSALS MAP.

In order to preserve the separate identities of Pontefract and the nearby settlements of Featherstone, Castleford and Knottingley, a Green Belt has been firmly established, which effectively defines the limits of development. The boundary follows closely the edge of the existing built-up area, except where pockets of land occur between main areas of development, as in the Monkhill Lane area, in the area between Ferrybridge Road and Pontefract Road, in the area adjoining the Larks Hill estate on the south-west of the town, in the area to the south of Carleton.
The agricultural land adjoining the south-eastern boundary of Pontefract is both high quality in production terms and environmentally important as open countryside visible from a very wide area. The Green Belt is tightly drawn in this area in order to prevent the further erosion of the countryside. The prominent south-west facing hillside adjoining The Rookeries area, Carleton is included in the Green Belt. It is also drawn in closely around the village of Darrington. The Plan has rationalised the Green Belt boundary to the north-east of Darrington so that it relates better to the edge of the existing built-up area.
The Green Belt boundary is, however, drawn so as to allow for the possibility of some longer term expansion of the urban area subject to re-assessment possibly as part of subsequent Plan reviews (see Volume 2 Section 10). For instance, into areas on the east, where the M62 corridor helps to provide an effective physical separation between Pontefract and Knottingley; on land to the north of the town centre, at Monkhill which is surrounded on three sides by development; on land to the south of Carleton, where improvements to the existing road network may reduce the restrictions on development in the future, and in the area between Ackworth Road and Hardwick Road, where development would not intrude into the surrounding countryside. To the north-west, both the park and the colliery tip are included within the Green Belt to indicate the long term presumption against any form of urban development there and to reflect the objective of achieving the ultimate restoration of the colliery land to agricultural use. At Old Hall Farm, the Green Belt has been extended to include former 'Presumption Against Development' (PAD) land which is not appropriate for residential development. A further former PAD area, which is not appropriate for inclusion in the Green Belt, is unallocated.

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5.5.5 Protected Areas of Search for Long Term Development
As suggested above, there are certain areas which are not allocated for development in the Plan, but which are not considered appropriate for inclusion in the Green Belt. These areas are designated Protected Areas of Search for Long Term Development. An explanation of this approach is contained in Section 10 of Volume 2 of the Plan.


POLICY OL4 SHALL APPLY TO THE AREAS SHOWN AS PROTECTED AREAS OF SEARCH FOR LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT ON THE PROPOSALS MAP:
PNT 40	ACKWORTH ROAD / HARDWICK ROAD

This site is currently in agricultural use and is of Grade III quality. It lies between two of the town's main arterial roads which both have frontage development along their other sides. Should circumstances permit the development of all or part of this site the favoured use would be residential.


PNT 42	LAND BETWEEN KNOTTINGLEY ROAD AND FERRYBRIDGE ROAD

This is effectively two areas of land, separated by a railway line. It lies to the south of properties forming ribbon development and more consolidated development along Ferrybridge Road and extends to Knottingley Road where there is also ribbon development along the south side of the road. Broadly, it is bounded by existing housing areas to the north and west and by Green Belt to the south and east. Should circumstances permit the development of all or part of the area to the north of the railway line, the favoured use would be residential.


PNT 43	LAND EAST OF COBBLERS LANE

Although this site lies at the edge of the built-up area, it lies on the Pontefract side of a natural ridge which separates Pontefract from the A1 / M62 and Knottingley and is bounded by the schools on Cobblers Lane and the railway.


PNT 44	LAND NORTH OF MOOR LANE, CARLETON

This area of land on the south side of Carleton is partly surrounded by existing development, from the Fair View estate to the north west to the Eastwell Lodge redevelopment site to the south east. Should circumstances permit the development of all or part of this site the favoured use would be residential.

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5.5.6 Washlands
The following proposal is included in the interests of the proper land drainage and flood prevention in the area. Further general information is included in Section 10 of Volume 2.


WITHIN THE FOLLOWING AREAS WHICH ARE SHOWN AS WASHLANDS ON THE PROPOSALS MAP POLICY OL6 WILL APPLY:
PNT 71	WASHDIKE, PONTEFRACT

PNT 72	LITTLE WENT, EAST HARDWICK

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5.6 LEISURE PROPOSALS
5.6.1 Introduction
Information and policies regarding recreation are outlined in Section 8 of Volume 2. In overall terms, Pontefract is reasonably well provided with open space and outdoor sports provision, although this is concentrated on the northern side of the town. Opportunities may exist to provide a better balance of provision through the extended community use of school facilities. A private 18 hole golf course has been developed to the north-east of Darrington.

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5.6.2 Public Local Amenity Open Space
It is proposed to provide local amenity open space as follows:-


IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICY L1 PUBLIC LOCAL AMENITY OPEN SPACE WILL BE ALLOCATED ON THE FOLLOWING SITE AS SHOWN ON THE PROPOSALS MAP:
PNT 45	HAREWOOD PARK

Much of this Council owned site is steeply sloping and overlooks Baghill Station and the Friarwood area of the town. It is surrounded on three sides by development and bounded by the railway to the north-west. It is intended that the major part of the site be retained as local open space as shown on the Proposals Map, and that its recreational potential be enhanced, whilst some limited housing development may be undertaken in the south-eastern part.

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5.6.3 Community Use of Leisure Facilities
Section 8 of Volume 2 outlines the importance of better utilising existing facilities and buildings.


IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICY L4 FACILITIES, INCLUDING BUILDINGS AND PLAYING FIELDS, AT THE FOLLOWING SCHOOLS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITES FOR USE BY THE COMMUNITY:
PNT 46	CARLETON HIGH SCHOOL

PNT 47	THE KING'S HIGH SCHOOL

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5.6.4 Cycle Route Network
The District's cycle network includes a route skirting the western side of Pontefract race course and following the southern side of the M62 within the Pontefract Community Area, linking to a proposed expanded rights of way network within the Glasshoughton redevelopment (CAS 63). It is also proposed to upgrade the existing popular pedestrian route between Pontefract and Featherstone, known as Halfpenny Lane, for use by cyclists. An existing permissive cycle track between Park Road and Monkhill Lane will be replaced by a higher standard of cycle track in conjunction with the M62 widening part of the A1 upgrading scheme.


IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICIES T16 AND T20 THE FOLLOWING LINKS ARE SHOWN ON THE PROPOSALS MAP AS PROPOSED CYCLE ROUTES:
PNT 73	FEATHERSTONE - PONTEFRACT ROUTE

PNT 74	CASTLEFORD - PONTEFRACT ROUTE

PNT 75	A1 UPGRADING

PNT 76	ORCHARD HEAD LANE

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5.7 TOWN CENTRE AND RETAILING PROPOSALS
5.7.1 Introduction
Pontefract has been a market and trading centre for many centuries, sometimes being of some sub-regional significance. Throughout most of this century it has been an all purpose centre serving the old borough of Pontefract together with surrounding villages and in part the settlements of Featherstone and Knottingley. Increased personal mobility has resulted in greater competition from Leeds, Wakefield and Doncaster where the provision of large scale facilities have attracted custom from Pontefract's traditional catchment area.
The town centre still retains a key role in the provision of retail, service and leisure facilities for the town and its surrounding population. It has the capability to meet such requirements adequately but it is unlikely that outside influences will be such as to permit or encourage an enhancement of the status of the centre during the Plan period. Planning policies for the next decade will need to recognise that the town centre is unlikely to face demands for a significant expansion of either its retail or servicing sectors relative to that of larger centres, and at the same time provide for the changes necessary to ensure a healthy continuation of the kind of role it plays in serving the local community.

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5.7.2 Key Issues
The retention of a healthy retailing base is essential for the future of the town centre, and to this end policies will need to provide for a wide range of retailing options and to ensure safe and easy access for shoppers. Existing off street, short stay car parking provision will be safeguarded and measures to improve accessibility and attractiveness of buses to cater for an increased proportion of shopping journeys to be made by public transport will be addressed through the Local Transport Plan.
The heritage of the town centre provides the greatest physical asset of the town. Care will need to be taken to conserve and enhance the buildings and space of the centre so that they may be fully utilised in contributing to its economic future.

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5.7.3 Policies & Proposals
It is the Council's intention that opportunities for development within or near the town centre be utilised to positively assist the regeneration of the centre to face the commercial pressures of the future. The following policies and proposals relate specifically to Pontefract Town Centre and supplement the general policies incorporated in the Plan where they are appropriate to the town centre and the activities carried on there.

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5.7.4 Shopping


PNT 48	THE COUNCIL WILL TAKE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT PONTEFRACT TOWN CENTRE WILL HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES AND WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE RETAILING FACILITIES PROVIDED THEY ACCORD WITH OTHER PLANNING POLICIES.

At present, retailing in the town centre has a high concentration of convenience goods provided through the markets, two large supermarkets with adjacent car parking (including one opened in 1990) and a number of smaller outlets non-individually exceeding 5,000 sq.ft floor space. It is not considered likely that there will be a demand for any further major food outlets in the town centre during the Plan period but increased spending power could lead to an increase in the number of smaller specialists dealing in both convenience and comparison goods. The number of small specialist stores in the town centre has increased in recent years, witness the Salter Row development, and there is every reason to believe that a small centrally located development would be both successful commercially and capable of making a beneficial contribution to the range of services in the town centre.
In order that the required range of retailing facilities can be accommodated within a tightly knit central area, it is necessary to define a core area in the town centre in which retailing will be acceptable and encouraged.


PNT 49	IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICY S1 AN AREA IS DEFINED ON THE PONTEFRACT TOWN CENTRE INSET MAP WHEREIN WHICH RETAIL DEVELOPMENT WILL BE ENCOURAGED AND PERMITTED. BEYOND THIS AREA THERE WILL BE PRESUMPTION AGAINST RETAILING UNLESS IT CAN BE PROVED THAT THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT COULD NOT BE ACCOMMODATED WITHIN THE RETAIL AREA AND WOULD ALSO NOT BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE VIABILITY OF TRADING WITHIN THE CORE RETAIL AREA. WITHIN THIS AREA RETAIL DEVELOPMENT FRONTING ONTO SOUTHGATE OR THE BEASTFAIR/ROPERGATE SERVICE SCHEME WILL ONLY BE SUPPORTED WHERE IT IS SHOWN TO BE PART OF A WIDER DEVELOPMENT WHICH PROVIDES DIRECT LINKS ONTO EXISTING YARDS OR OTHER RETAIL FRONTAGES.

In order to safeguard a healthy retail environment along the primary frontages of the core area, it will be necessary to identify an area where the primacy of retailing will be ensured. To this end a policy of constraining the development of non-retail uses on primary retail frontages needs to be applied.


PNT 50	ALONG THE FOLLOWING PRIMARY SHOPPING FRONTAGES AS SHOWN ON THE PONTEFRACT TOWN CENTRE INSET MAP, POLICY S6 SHALL APPLY. THE PRIMARY SHOPPING FRONTAGES ARE DEFINED AS BOTH SIDES OF THE FOLLOWING STREETS - MARKET PLACE, BEASTFAIR, SHOEMARKET, SALTER ROW, WOOLMARKET AND BRIDGE STREET, AND ALSO THE NORTHERN SIDE OF HORSEFAIR FROM THE JUNCTION WITH FINKLE STREET TO THE BUS STATION.

In addition, there are a number of streets in the town centre which have a mixture of retail and other commercial uses, which include some of the major retailing units in the town centre. Whilst the Plan does not suggest the curtailing of retailing on these frontages, there should be a presumption in favour of the change of use between classes within the A grouping of the Use Classes Order and also in favour of the provision of leisure and other service uses unless specific circumstances dictate otherwise. The most recent new developments in the town centre have been the redevelopment of Salter Row by small unit shops opened in the mid-80's and the large supermarket development by Morrisons to the north of the main shopping area opened in 1990. The Morrisons proposal created an opportunity to create a free-standing supermarket with adjacent car parking facilities located in close proximity to the town centre.


PNT 51	THE COUNCIL WILL LOOK TO ACHIEVING A REDEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA BETWEEN THE NORTHERN SIDE OF SALTER ROW AND STUART ROAD, AS SHOWN ON THE PONTEFRACT TOWN CENTRE INSET MAP, TO PROVIDE INCREASED SHOPPING FACILITIES.

The lack of retail warehouse provision, apart from two small units on Horsefair, evident in Pontefract until 1993, has been rectified through the development of retail warehouse parks at South Baileygate and Park Road. In the light of these developments the Council see no reason to make further allocation for retail warehousing within Pontefract.
There are in central Pontefract a number of free standing retail units. These include the Fads and Comet units on Horsefair and also the Tesco unit which although having frontage to Cornmarket basically abuts onto the central car park number 2. Should any of these units become vacant or be the subject of redevelopment for retail purposes during the Plan period, no restrictions should be put on the type of retailing which could be conducted from them. Elsewhere within the town centre, but outside the retail core area, freestanding retail units should not be granted planning permission on the grounds that firstly they would be detrimental to the existing retailing core of the town centre and secondly they could not effectively be accommodated within the conservation area without severe environment disturbance.
Local shopping outside the recognised town centre will be encouraged in accordance with Policy S4 (Volume 1).

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5.7.5 Commercial Development
Pontefract is not a significant office centre and the Council do not anticipate there being any significant change in demand during the Plan period. Current free standing offices are largely occupied by public sector bodies including the local authority, police and health services. Any new build or conversion for offices in either A2 or B1 categories of the Use Classes Order will be required to demonstrate that the travel needs of its employees will be met through a combination of car parking up to the maximum permitted standard and measures to assist access by public transport, cycling and walking. This requirement can be achieved by the production of a Green Travel Plan. Locational requirements should restrict B1 uses to the Industrial Estates or specified development sites but A2 uses could be accommodated in the retail area or elsewhere in the town centre.
Smaller office uses could be accommodated within the secondary retail area within the retail core subject to the policy for non-retail development on a retail frontage being applied. This however, would apply only to ground floor uses and there should be no presumption against a first floor commercial use throughout the primary retailing area regardless of parking provision.


PNT 52	ANY NEW OFFICE DEVELOPMENT OR CHANGE OF USE TO OFFICE PREMISES WILL BE REQUIRED TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THE TRAVEL NEEDS OF ITS EMPLOYEES CAN BE MET THROUGH A COMBINATION OF ON SITE CAR PARKING, UP TO THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED STANDARD, AND MEASURES TO ASSIST ACCESS BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT, CYCLING AND WALKING. COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT WITHIN USE CLASS A2 WILL BE ACCEPTABLE WITHIN THE CORE RETAIL AREA SUBJECT TO OTHER POLICY REQUIREMENTS. THE USES WITHIN CLASS B1 OF THE USE CLASSES ORDER WILL IN GENERAL ONLY BE CONSIDERED ACCEPTABLE ON ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIAL SITES OR ON SITES SO SPECIFIED ELSEWHERE IN THE TOWN CENTRE PROPOSALS.

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5.7.6 Industry / Warehousing
There are two main concentrations of industry in the town centre inset area. These lie to the north of Stuart Road in the north west of the area and south of Bondgate to the east of the town centre. There are in addition isolated industrial units located off Watergate, Southgate and Back Northgate. It is recognised that these will continue throughout the Plan period. In terms of new development the town centre is not seen as an ideal site for industrial or warehousing development and the Council would have a presumption against proposals for industrial and warehousing development in the town centre except for the specific sites mentioned in Policy PNT 53.


PNT 53	THERE WILL BE A PRESUMPTION AGAINST NEW INDUSTRIAL AND WAREHOUSING DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE TOWN CENTRE INSET AREA OTHER THAN IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES UNLESS LOCATED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
	A)	THE EMPLOYMENT ZONE (PNT1) WHICH COVERS THE BONDGATE AND SOUTH BAILEYGATE AREAS.
	B)	DEVELOPMENT IN THE STUART ROAD / COLONELS WALK AREA.
	C)	THE LAND SOUTH OF STATION ROAD AND EAST OF FRIAR WOOD LANE COMPRISING THE FRIAR WOOD CAR PARK AND BRITISH RAIL LAND TO THE IMMEDIATE WEST OF THAT.

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5.7.7 Housing
There is now only a limited provision of two storey housing within the town centre, these being located in isolated pockets with no direct relationship to adjoining land uses. These properties are popular and the Council will seek to ensure their continued use and the enhancement of their immediate environment. Development over the last 40 years has largely been in the form of specialist housing or the development of flats. The public sector Horsefair flats form by far the largest concentration of residential development in the town centre. In recent years the private sector has shown a revived interest in the development of residential units in the town centre be it by private developer or housing association. Land values and availability have led to new development being concentrated on the fringe of the town centre core. These have included schemes by housing associations in the Northgate and Back Northgate areas whilst the conversion of Northgate Lodge sites has increased the residential emphasis in this sector of the town centre.

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5.7.8 Leisure & Open Space
Significant public open space in the town centre is confined to Valley Gardens and the Castle grounds, both of which are pleasant places where town centre workers and commuters may relax. Both sites are separated from the main core of the town centre, the former by having to cross Southgate, the latter by its distance from the main shops and neither possess significant quantities of nearby parking facilities. The latter is a most significant heritage site and has considerable potential for further development, especially related to tourism. The authority will need to give attention to providing improved parking and access facilities to the Castle grounds and also give consideration to providing improved pedestrian links between the Castle and the town centre. It is not considered likely that there will be any significant addition to public open space in the town centre during the period covered by the Plan.
The town centre plays a dominant role in catering for the indoor leisure pursuits of the population in the catchment area. Traditionally this has consisted of the ubiquitous public houses and cinema provision but recently there has been increased provision of facilities relating to sporting pursuits and licensed clubs. It is expected that the role of the town centre in meeting leisure requirements will remain significant throughout the Plan period and there is likely to be an increased demand for sites for such uses. It is suggested that such developments could be satisfactorily located at ground floor level within the shopping and commercial level or at upper floor level within the primary shopping core. There should be a presumption against such developments elsewhere in the town centre inset area unless they are located directly on the primary highway routes.

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5.7.9 Transport
Pontefract town centre has received very significant environmental and traffic management investment with the completion of the precinct refurbishment in 1998. Beastfair has been incorporated into the pedestrianised zone and treatment of the adjacent yards has provided links to the car parks off Liquorice Way. The link between Salter Row and Stuart Road has been improved for pedestrians. Measures to give greater priority for pedestrians at Horsefair / Finkle Street and at Cockpit Lane / Stuart Road have also had the effect of deterring unnecessary vehicular traffic. This further assists pedestrian movements between the precinct and the bus station and the supermarket and car park north of Stuart Road. Cornmarket has retained some car parking provision but the surface treatment and layout dictate a pedestrian-dominated environment. This comprehensive scheme has therefore achieved a limitation of traffic movements to access only, with through traffic being routed along Jubilee Way and Southgate to the west and south of the town, and secondary north to east movements concentrated along Stuart Road, Headlands Lane, Cockpit Lane, Northgate and North Baileygate. Any further necessary measures will be addressed through the Local Transport Plan.
On Wednesdays and Saturdays there are open markets in central Pontefract and the trade generated on these two days is essential to the wellbeing and commercial success of the town centre. It is vital that the demand for access to the town centre should be met and this will be achieved by a combination of public short stay car parking provision and improvements to the attractiveness of public transport, cycling and walking for shopping journeys. Measures to achieve this will need to be addressed in any development proposals, particularly those affecting any of the public car parks.


PNT 56	THE COUNCIL RECOGNISES THE NEED TO RETAIN AN ADEQUATE PROVISION OF CAR PARKING FOR SHOPPERS AND WILL NOT BE SUPPORTIVE OF SCHEMES TO DEVELOP PUBLIC CAR PARKS IN THE TOWN CENTRE UNLESS SATISFACTORY ALTERNATIVE PROVISION IS MADE FOR MEETING THE NEED FOR ACCESSIBILITY TO THE TOWN CENTRE.

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5.7.10 Possible Development Sites
There are a number of sites which the Council envisage could hold redevelopment opportunities during the Plan period. The Council would consider applications to develop these sites on their merits and subject to the policies described in the Plan. The following statements give guidance on the types of development the Council would wish to see take place on specific sites identified on the Pontefract Town Centre Inset Map. They will be taken into account when development proposals are considered.


PNT 57	THE FRIARWOOD CAR PARK/BRITISH RAIL LAND TO THE REAR

This site is seen as being suitable for industrial, light industrial or warehousing development. Access to such a development would be best taken from Station Road but in view of the importance of the Friarwood car park any such development on the site would need to make provision for replacement car parking.


PNT 58	SPINK LANE/MICKLEGATE/BACK NORTHGATE

This area is probably best suited to residential development but opportunity could be taken to provide leisure uses or ancillary services associated with the Castle Grounds. Part of the area is being developed for housing association flats.


PNT 59	AREA BETWEEN STUART ROAD AND SALTER ROW

This area is seen as being the only part of the town centre well suited to cater for any increased shopping provision, which could be linked to the primary retail area. A development of this site could provide a valuable shopping scheme linking the existing pedestrian area with the newly constructed Morrisons supermarket north of Stuart Road. Such a scheme would need to recognise and incorporate a number of existing buildings on this site but it is expected that it would be possible to create additional shopping to the extent of some 20-25,000 sq. ft. floor space.


PNT 60	JUBILEE WAY/BEASTFAIR SERVICE ROAD

This area could be seen as one of the softest parts of the town centre. Any developments in this area which took away car parking should only be permitted if they provide an equal amount of car parking to that lost either within the scheme or elsewhere in close proximity to the core of the town centre. This site could well be suited to commercial office, or leisure development. The site is not seen as suitable for general retail development, in view of its isolation from the shopping core nor is it seen as suited for development of a retail warehouse.

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5.7.11 Conservation Areas
The policies which will be applied to all designated Conservation Areas are specified in the Environment Section of Volume 1 of the Plan (see Policies E27-E35) and Section 3.6 of Volume 2 Accordingly:-


POLICIES E27-E35 SHALL APPLY TO THE FOLLOWING EXISTING CONSERVATION AREAS SHOWN ON THE PROPOSALS MAP:
PNT 62	PONTEFRACT MARKET PLACE

PNT 63	PONTEFRACT CASTLE

Proposals for the enhancement of these Conservation Areas will be formulated as part of the proposals to be prepared for the whole of the Central Area.

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5.8 SPECIAL POLICY AREAS AND SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING GUIDANCE
5.8.1 Introduction
Certain areas in the Plan are considered suitable for more than one use, or need to be developed in the context of a primary use supported by ancillary or complementary uses. Such areas are designated Special Policy Areas. No such areas have been designated in this Community Area.
Areas which are considered to warrant the preparation of Supplementary Planning Guidance are referred to within the text accompanying the specific allocations in this Community Area. Supplementary Planning Guidance may also be prepared for other allocations, major development areas and areas of conflicting or incremental development proposals, as such proposals arise or appear imminent. These may need to take priority over those specifically referred to in the Plan.



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