Latest news with #WakefieldCouncil
BBC News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Wakefield's roads to get £2.4m pothole repair boost
An extra £2.4m of investment to improve Wakefield's roads and pavements is set to be approved by the district's cash, which will come from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, is likely to be formally accepted at a meeting next Tuesday.A council report said the money would go towards improvements at Wrenthorpe Bypass in Carr Gate; Common Lane in Upton; Bacon Avenue in Normanton; Barnsley Road in South Elmsall; Pope Street in Whitwood; St Pauls Drive , in Alverthorpe; Standbridge Lane in Kettlethorpe and Thornes Moor Road in report said it was "essential" that road users were kept "safe". Matthew Morley, the council's cabinet member for highways and planning, said: "We are investing in our roads and footpaths every day."Getting this extra funding will really help us to keep people moving right across our district."Wakefield Council is responsible for maintaining 903 miles (1,454 km) of roads, 1,208 miles (1,944 km) of footways, and 93 miles (150 km) of cycle lanes and year, the authority carried out repairs to over 3,100 potholes, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Battery plant on farmland gets go-ahead
Proposals to build a battery energy storage system (BESS) on farmland in West Yorkshire have been approved. The application by Harmony Energy to install the facility at a six acre (2.5 hectare) site off Holmfield Lane, near Castleford, was given the go-ahead by Wakefield Council. The 36 energy storage unit BESS would take in power from renewable sources and release them to the National Grid when demand was high, the applicants said. A total of 49 residents objected to the scheme, citing concerns about traffic hazards along the lane, fire risks and the impact on local wildlife. The site was originally designated as greenbelt land under Wakefield Council's Local Plan, which was adopted in January 2024. However, it was later deemed to be "grey belt" land after the government published a revised national policy framework in December. A planning statement submitted by the energy company said the benefits brought by the scheme would outweigh any harm, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. It said the A1(M) and M62 motorways already dominated the openness of the greenbelt near Castleford. Harmony said this type of scheme was a "vital component in the drive towards zero carbon". "This type of technology has an important role to play across the National Grid, and at a local level in Wakefield's own target to achieve zero carbon by 2038," it stated. West Yorkshire Fire Service called for the scheme to be designed in accordance with National Fire Chiefs Council guidelines for BESS facilities. Proposals for a BESS facility less than half a mile away, off Stranglands Lane, next to the former Ferrybridge Power Station, were also approved last week. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North Green light for battery energy storage system Is greenbelt at more risk from move to protect it? Wakefield Council
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Battery plant on Castleford farmland gets go-ahead
Proposals to build a battery energy storage system (BESS) on farmland in West Yorkshire have been application by Harmony Energy to install the facility at a six acre (2.5 hectare) site off Holmfield Lane, near Castleford, was given the go-ahead by Wakefield 36 energy storage unit BESS would take in power from renewable sources and release them to the National Grid when demand was high, the applicants said.A total of 49 residents objected to the scheme, citing concerns about traffic hazards along the lane, fire risks and the impact on local wildlife. The site was originally designated as greenbelt land under Wakefield Council's Local Plan, which was adopted in January it was later deemed to be "grey belt" land after the government published a revised national policy framework in December. 'Important role' A planning statement submitted by the energy company said the benefits brought by the scheme would outweigh any harm, according to the Local Democracy Reporting said the A1(M) and M62 motorways already dominated the openness of the greenbelt near said this type of scheme was a "vital component in the drive towards zero carbon"."This type of technology has an important role to play across the National Grid, and at a local level in Wakefield's own target to achieve zero carbon by 2038," it Yorkshire Fire Service called for the scheme to be designed in accordance with National Fire Chiefs Council guidelines for BESS for a BESS facility less than half a mile away, off Stranglands Lane, next to the former Ferrybridge Power Station, were also approved last week. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Green light for battery energy storage system
Plans to build a battery energy storage system (BESS) next to a former power station have been approved. One Plant Developments wants to install the facility on greenbelt land off Stranglands Lane, near to the former Ferrybridge C power station. BESS facilities take in power from renewable energy sources and then release it back to the National Grid when demand is high. Wakefield Council gave its backing to the plan, which received no comments of support but only one objection. One Plant Developments said it had chosen the location due to its proximity to the Ferrybridge C substation, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The firm said: "There are no residential properties in the immediate vicinity of the application site, and the proposed development is not likely to affect any significant number of people. "Given that the proposed BESS will be an unmanned facility, with access required only for occasional maintenance inspections, and there being no public access to the site, there are no particular access issues that require to be addressed." The former Ferrybridge power plant, close to the River Aire, was shut in March 2016 after more than 50 years of energy production. It was once one of the biggest power generators in Europe, with its coal-fired boilers producing enough electricity to power 2m homes. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Wakefield Council Landmark power station development plans approved
BBC News
07-06-2025
- BBC News
Security beefed up at Kellingley Clubafter vandalism
Security measure have been beefed at a former social club after vandals damaged the site during ongoing redevelopment roof and children's changing facilities were damaged at the Kellingley Club in Knottingley, Wakefield Council said. The local authority condemned the incident and said police would be giving "extra attention to the site", while additional security cameras have been installed.A private security firm has also been hired to conduct patrols of the site, which is in the process of being redeveloped. New changing rooms, a bar, improved parking and better spectator seating are being created at the site as part of a £6.3m improvement scheme. The council's deputy leader Jack Hemingway, said: "It is a real shame that the actions of a few are impacting on the delivery of projects designed to benefit the whole community. "Knottingley is a wonderful community, and these senseless acts of vandalism are not representative of the people who live there. "These new security measures will help us get work back on track, to provide residents with the new, improved community facilities they asked for."I would ask those responsible for the damage to consider the wider implications of their actions. The Council doesn't have unlimited funds. Every time we spend money repairing or replacing something deliberately damaged or vandalised, it means less money for the vital services that people depend on." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
