PART ll VOLUME 3
Northern Area Proposals
 
Knottingley
6.1 EMPLOYMENT PROPOSALS
  6.1.1 Introduction
  6.1.2 Employment Zones
  6.1.3 Employment Sites
 
6.2 HOUSING PROPOSALS
  6.2.1 Introduction
  6.2.2 Housing Sites
 
6.3 COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROPOSALS
  6.3.1 Introduction
 
6.4 TRANSPORT PROPOSALS
  6.4.1 Introduction
  6.4.2 Major Highway Schemes
  6.4.3 Rail Freight
 
6.5 ENVIRONMENT AND OPEN LAND PROPOSALS
  6.5.1 Introduction
  6.5.2 Archaeological Sites
  6.5.3 Conservation Areas
  6.5.4 Sites of Scientific Interest
  6.5.5 Green Belt
  6.5.6 Protected Areas of Search for Long Term Development
  6.5.7 Washlands
 
6.6 LEISURE PROPOSALS
  6.6.1 Introduction
  6.6.2 Community Use of Leisure Facilities
  6.6.3 Cycle Route Network
 
6.7 RETAILING PROPOSALS
  6.7.1 Introduction
 
6.8 SPECIAL POLICY AREAS AND SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING GUIDANCE
  6.8.1 Introduction
   
 
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6.1 EMPLOYMENT PROPOSALS
6.1.1 Introduction
Knottingley has a relatively stable employment base, with the majority of jobs being in coal-mining, at Kellingley Colliery, and at the power station at Ferrybridge. Three major manufacturing industries producing glassware, chemicals and bearings, and a variety of smaller industries provide a range of alternative employment.
Some of the industries suffer problems of cramped sites and poor access, resulting in environmental and operational problems. The particular problems will be tackled through environmental improvement programmes as opportunities arise.
One significant area for potential industrial expansion lies to the east of the existing chemical manufacturers in the Common Lane and Weeland Road area on the fringe of the Plan area. Another employment allocation, the former sewage treatment works and adjoining land at Pontefract Road, has shown steady take-up, with both office and warehousing developments, taking advantage of its very direct access to the A1 and M62. In accordance with Policy T2, major warehousing developments would be unacceptable in the Knottingley area, except where the operation would utilise the canal system as the primary means of transport or where it would have direct access to the strategic highway network.
 
 
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6.1.2 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:
KNT 1 BANKS OF AIRE & CALDER NAVIGATION, FERRYBRIDGE TO WILLOW ISLAND
 
This area contains a variety of established industries including a flour mill, small engineering firms and a modern bearings factory which is a major local employer.
A major redevelopment scheme for the flour mill has been implemented. The existing local road network in this area is considered inadequate for any significant increase in traffic.
 
 
KNT 2 HEADLANDS LANE/HAZEL ROAD
 
This industrial zone is dominated by Rockware Glassworks and a road haulage depot, but a variety of commercial enterprises have recently become established to the north of the railway, off Pontefract Road. There is now little scope for further development, but opportunities for industrial redevelopment may arise through clearance of redundant buildings in the area.
 
 
KNT 3 WEELAND ROAD/WOMERSLEY ROAD
 
Almost entirely occupied by Stölzle Flaconnage Ltd the zone is a small industrial island surrounded by housing, constrained by the river to the north and the railway to the south, and divided by the busy A645. Opportunities for expansion are limited at present and operational problems must be resolved within the existing restricted site. The firm has made a significant contribution to environmental improvement in laying out and landscaping their private car park which lies on the corner of Weeland Road and Womersley Road.
Any further development within the part of the zone which lies to the south of the railway will be restricted to small B1 industrial units in order to reduce the likelihood of frequent deliveries by large vehicles. This will minimise the possible impact of increased traffic on nearby residential areas but ensure future beneficial use of the site.
 
 
KNT 4 KNOTTINGLEY EAST
 
This is an intensively developed industrial area on both sides of the Aire and Calder Navigation, from the south bank of the Aire to Common Lane. The major user is Croda Chemicals, but there are a number of small firms. Nearby residential areas will be protected from any deterioration in the environment by the maintenance of a 'buffer' of land between Springfields and Blackburn Lane - a Protected Area of Search for Long Term Development.
 
 
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6.1.3 Employment Sites
 
 
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY THE FOLLOWING SITES AS SHOWN ON THE PROPOSALS MAP ARE HEREBY ALLOCATED FOR EMPLOYMENT USES AND RELATED DEVELOPMENT:
KNT 5 COMMON LANE
(13.4 HECTARES/33 ACRES APPROX)
 
This site forms a logical extension to the designated Employment Zone. The land abuts the Aire and Calder Navigation which might be exploited as an alternative means of transporting bulky goods. There is a need to develop a landscaped buffer between the existing residential area and any future industrial development. This landscaping could be introduced on the land designated Protected Area of Search for Long Term Development (KNT24). The adjacent chemical works has recently expanded into this area. The development incorporated a re-alignment of Common Lane. Highway improvements would be required on Common Lane. The site abuts the rail line with potential for transporting freight by train.
 
 
KNT 6 WEELAND ROAD
(7.9 HECTARES/19 ACRES APPROX)
 
This site lies to the south of Weeland Road, with a long southern boundary to the Aire and Calder Navigation. It also forms an extension to the Employment Zone and has potential for development of canal-served industry or freight distribution, which would reduce the impact of industrial growth on the inadequate local highway system.
 
 
KNT 7 FORMER SEWAGE WORKS, PONTEFRACT ROAD
(8.6 HECTARES/21.2 ACRES APPROX)
 
This site comprises the site of the former sewage works and the field to the north east of it. Development of part of the site has taken place for B1, B2 and B8 uses, in accordance with the approved development brief. A new access road has been constructed together with a public house/restaurant and travel inn/hotel. A small amount of land is still available for development.
 
 
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6.2 HOUSING PROPOSALS
6.2.1 Introduction
The growth of Knottingley has now almost reached the physical limits set by the river to the north, the A1 to the west and the M62 to the south. The concentration of chemicals industry plants on the eastern side of the town, and Kellingley Colliery beyond the boundary effectively negate any possibility of residential development in this area. Land in the Womersley Road area, besides being of generally high agricultural value, is considered too remote from the town's main facilities, due to the severance caused by the level crossing.
The long term decline in the population of the town appears to have slowed in recent years and there is a steady demand for new housing which is met from the existing allocations in the north-eastern part of the town and through small windfall sites within the built-up area. It appears that some of the locally generated housing need has been satisfied by development in Pontefract in recent years. The opportunities to provide land for further residential development in Knottingley to meet local demand through the Plan period are limited to new sites at Pottery Lane and the former quarry at Womersley Road.
Major social problems on the Warwick Estate in the south west of the town give rise to high vacancy rates and a poor quality environment. Strategies aimed at addressing these problems are being implemented through the Council's HIP and SRB programmes. These incorporate redevelopment and environmental improvement proposals.
 
 
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6.2.2 Housing Sites
 
 
IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICY H1, THE FOLLOWING SITES AS SHOWN ON THE PROPOSALS MAP ARE ALLOCATED FOR HOUSING AND RELATED PURPOSES:
KNT 29 POTTERY LANE, KNOTTINGLEY
(3.1 HECTARES)
 
This site is currently in part under-used and in part disused and requires reclamation having been the site of a limestone quarry. The local road network in this area is considered inadequate for any significant increase in traffic.
The site has remained undeveloped in an area designated an Industrial Zone in the former Northern Local Plan and also in the UDP adopted in 1994. Development of the site for residential rather than employment use is preferable in terms of impact on adjoining land-uses and traffic generation. The constraints will limit the scale of development that is acceptable on the site.
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. It is considered that this site has a potential capacity of a minimum of 70 dwellings.
The housing allocation replaces the former Industrial Zone designation.
The 1 in 100 year flood-plain area needs to be determined and could be used as an area of open space provision. A noise survey will be required in relation to housing development proposals and nearby industrial premises. Possible tipping and contamination requires investigation.
 
 
KNT 30 WOMERSLEY ROAD, KNOTTINGLEY
(7.6 HECTARES)
 
This former quarry and tip is a brownfield site surrounded on three sides by built development. Ground conditions including compaction, contamination and past tipping will require investigation, as will access to the site and traffic impact on the local highway network.
It is considered that this site has a potential capacity of a minimum of 228 dwellings. However, given the constraints it is unlikely that more than about 50 houses would be completed within the Plan period.
 
 
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6.3 COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROPOSALS
6.3.1 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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6.4 TRANSPORT PROPOSALS
6.4.1 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 Knottingley 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 on school journeys. Transport measures form a vital element of programmes to improve the Warwick residential area.
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 dependent 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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6.4.2 Major Highway Schemes
 
 
KNT 12 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. 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.
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.
 
 
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6.4.3 Rail Freight
The Council supports the concept of a rail by-pass for Knottingley in order to reduce the problems at the Womersley Road level crossing. It may pursue such a proposal should opportunities arise in the Plan period.
 
 
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6.5 ENVIRONMENT AND OPEN LAND POLICIES
6.5.1 Introduction
A large part of Knottingley's environmental problems are related to transport factors - the busy A645 which carries constant traffic of heavy goods vehicles through the central part of the town, to and from the A1 / M62 junctions, creating a noisy and hazardous environment in the main shopping area; and the frequent closure of the two level crossings at Womersley Road and England Lane resulting in the build-up of traffic on either side in the residential roads adjoining. A further contributory factor to the generally poor environment is the close proximity of many of the housing areas to unneighbourly industries.
Nevertheless, there are some more attractive environmental aspects, including a designated Conservation Area.
 
 
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6.5.2 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 Knottingley Community Area as follows:-
 
 
POLICIES E13, E14, E15, E17, E18 AND E19 SHALL APPLY TO THE FOLLOWING AREAS SHOWN ON THE PROPOSALS MAP AS CLASS l AND CLASS II SITES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL VALUE, REGISTERED ON THE COUNTY SITES AND MONUMENTS RECORD:
KNT 13 CLASS I HENGE, STRANGLANDS LANE, FERRYBRIDGE
 
KNT 14 CLASS I LAND OFF STRANGLANDS LANE FERRYBRIDGE
 
KNT 15 CLASS I FERRYBRIDGE, FERRYBRIDGE
 
KNT 16 CLASS II LAND AT FERRYBRIDGE POWER STATION, KNOTTINGLEY
 
KNT 17 CLASS II LAND OFF NEW ROAD, FERRYBRIDGE
 
KNT 18 CLASS II LAND NEAR M62 MOTORWAY, FERRYBRIDGE
 
KNT 19 CLASS II SITE OF CHURCH, CHAPEL STREET, KNOTTINGLEY
 
KNT 20 CLASS II SITE OF CHURCH, PONTEFRACT ROAD, FERRYBRIDGE
 
 
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6.5.3 Conservation Areas
The policies which will be applied to all designated Conservation Areas in the Plan Area are outlined in the Environment Section of Volume 1 of the Plan (see Policies E27-E35) and Section 3 of Volume 2. Accordingly:-
 
 
POLICIES E27-E35 SHALL APPLY TO THE DESIGNATED CONSERVATION AREA, SHOWN ON THE PROPOSALS MAP:
KNT 21 CHURCH STREET
 
 
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6.5.4 Sites of Scientific Interest
Policies E1-E4 provide for the protection of sites of natural history or other scientific interest.
 
 
POLICIES E1-E4 SHALL APPLY TO THE FOLLOWING AREA SHOWN ON THE PROPOSALS MAP AS BEING SITES OF SCIENTIFIC INTEREST:
KNT 22 WILLOWGARTHS, KNOTTINGLEY
 
This low-lying site of scientific interest lies on the eastern boundary of the area, adjoining the River Aire and immediately to the north of CRODA Chemical works. It is managed and protected by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust as a Nature Reserve. It contains diverse willow carr, reed-bed and open water zones.
 
 
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6.5.5 Green Belt
Section 10 of Volume 2 contains the policies, explanation and interpretative material relating to the Green Belt. Accordingly:-
 
POLICIES OL1, OL2 AND OL14-19 SHALL APPLY TO THE AREAS SHOWN AS GREEN BELT ON THE PROPOSALS MAP.
   
For the most part, the Green Belt boundary to the north of Knottingley is coincident with the northern boundary of the Plan area, as it follows the line of the River Aire. To the north-west it encloses a substantial area of land which is held by Eddison Mission Energy, around the Ferrybridge power station. The Green Belt boundary then closely follows the edge of existing development as far as the site of the former Knottingley Sewage Works. The Green Belt boundary to the south of the town continues to follow the edge of the existing development enclosing an extensive public housing area, an area of sports fields and proposed open space at the eastern end of Hazel Road, the England Lane waste disposal site and a small infill housing site off Womersley Road. In the east of the Community Area the Green Belt is drawn so as to retain a significant area for future industrial development - the Common Lane area. The area between the CRODA chemical works and the River Aire in the north eastern corner of the Plan area is included in the Green Belt. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions intends to upgrade the Ferrybridge to Hook Moor sections of the A1 trunk road within the Plan period. A three lane motorway will be constructed to the west of Ferrybridge, together with an interchange between the A1 and the M62 immediately to the west of the power station. This will affect the openness of the Green Belt in this area.
 
 
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6.5.6 Protected Areas of Search for Long Term Development
There are certain areas which are not allocated for development in the Plan and which are not considered appropriate for inclusion in the Green Belt. These areas are designated Protected Areas of Search for Long Term Development. A detailed explanation of this approach is contained in Section 10 of Volume 2.
 
 
POLICY OL4 SHALL APPLY TO THE AREAS SHOWN AS PROTECTED AREAS OF SEARCH FOR LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT ON THE PROPOSALS MAP:
KNT 23 WEST INGS LANE
 
This area of land is bounded on two sides by the River Aire, and by an area of playing fields and by land allocated for housing. It is presently liable to flooding and lacks adequate access provision. Further development of this land, which would generate significant traffic, would require major highway infrastructure investment.
 
 
KNT 24 SPRINGFIELDS
 
This site acts as an essential buffer between an existing residential area at Springfields and the unneighbourly industries and proposed industrial site off Common Lane. It is designated under Policy OL4 with the intention that it be retained as a buffer zone, without either housing or industrial development, for the foreseeable future.
 
 
KNT 25 COMMON LANE, WEST OF SOUTHMOOR LANE
 
An area between the railway and canal, straddling Common Lane to the east of the industrial site is designated in this category in order that the possibility of long-term industrial expansion of this important local chemicals industry is not unreasonably prejudiced. Nevertheless such an expansion is considered neither likely nor desirable until the impact of the earlier development of the allocated land in this area can be assessed, particularly in terms of increased traffic movements on the local highway system. Should circumstances permit the development of all or part of this site the favoured use would be industrial.
 
 
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6.5.7 Washlands
As described in Section 10 of Volume 2, certain areas within the natural floodplain of a river are required to be retained in the interests of proper land drainage and flood prevention. These areas are protected by Policy OL6.
 
 
WITHIN THE FOLLOWING AREA, SHOWN AS WASHLAND ON THE PROPOSALS MAP, POLICY OL6 WILL APPLY:
KNT 26 SOUTH BANK OF THE RIVER AIRE, WILLOW GARTHS, KNOTTINGLEY
 
KNT 31 WASHDIKE, KNOTTINGLEY
 
 
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6.6 LEISURE PROPOSALS
6.6.1 Introduction
Knottingley is generally well served in terms of both indoor and outdoor leisure facilities, and its sports centre and swimming pool serve a much wider population, including the rural areas to the east of the District. Nevertheless, there are local deficiencies in general amenity open space, such as in the England Lane area and the densely populated Simpsons Lane Estate.
 
 
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6.6.2 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 OPPORTUNITIES FOR USE BY THE COMMUNITY:
KNT 28 KNOTTINGLEY HIGH SCHOOL
 
 
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6.6.3 Cycle Route Network
The main opportunity for cycle route development is by improving the towpaths along the Aire and Calder Navigation in conjunction with British Waterways.
 
 
IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICIES T16 AND T20 THE FOLLOWING LINK IS SHOWN ON THE PROPOSALS MAP AS A PROPOSED CYCLE ROUTE:
KNT 32 AIRE AND CALDER CYCLEWAY (NATIONAL CYCLE NETWORK)
 
 
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6.7 RETAILING PROPOSALS
6.7.1 Introduction
The Retailing Section of Volume 1 details the policies relating to retail development in the District. There is no designated town centre within this Community Area. Development proposals put forward in the existing shopping centre will be considered in the context of Policy S1 in Volume 1. Local shops will be encouraged in accordance with Policy S4.
 
 
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6.8 SPECIAL POLICY AREAS AND SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING GUIDANCE
6.8.1 Introduction
Certain areas in the Plan are considered to be 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. There are no such designations 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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