Published Date:
06 March 2009
A MASTERPLAN to build thousands of new homes, create hundreds of jobs and expand Eastmoor has been revealed this week.
A copy of the East Wakefield 'masterplan' includes details for up to 3,000 homes, offices, industrial units and a bypass to ease traffic congestion around the city.
Other proposals include a new school, a new community centre and a waterside park.
What do youy think about the proposals? Have your say in the comments section below.
The report was put together by Spawforths planning consultants on behalf of landowners Miller Strategic Land and Stretton Estates.
It said the scheme would help tackle high levels of unemployment in Eastmoor, which it described as one of the most deprived in the country.
And it said it would address the shortage of affordable housing in the city, where home ownership rates are far below regional and national levels.
The report also said the scheme would help justify the need for improvements to Kirkgate Station and it links with plans to restore the Wakefield Power Station and Welbeck landfill sites.
The report said most of the development would be built on previously developed land, but approximately 60 hectares would affect green belt land.
It added the council had accepted the green belt was in need of review in Wakefield, where 38,450 new homes must be provided by 2026.
But Chris Jevins, 43, of Park Hill Farm, Eastmoor, said: "I am not happy about this development at all, especially because some of our land seems to be included in the proposals and this is the first we have heard of it.
"We were refused planning permission to put some of our agricultural land to use as storage because it was in the green belt. They seem to change the rules to suit them."
Members of Wakefield Council's cabinet are expected to agree for a feasibility study to be carried into the scheme when they meet on Tuesday.
A report for next week's cabinet meeting said approval of the feasibility study would help the council achieve its housing growth targets and in developing land in its ownership for the benefit of Wakefield residents.
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Last Updated:
06 March 2009 10:41 AM
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Source:
Wakefield Express City
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Location:
Wakefield