ABLE Kirklees: October 2009

Thursday 15 October 2009

Yorkshire Post Coverage - Fishing lake and floating cafe plan for learning centre

"A COUNCIL looks set to pump over £1m into a proposed fishing lake and "floating cafe" next to a popular off-road cycle route."

To read the full story click here

Tuesday 13 October 2009

'Before' shots of ABLE Kirklees

Before official work starts on the site, we
thought it would be a good idea to take some shots to mark the start of the
project work.

Groups from HBOS and Carillion worked on the site in 2008 and earlier this year. The teams focussed on groundwork and improved the public footpath access to the site by installing steps on the Smithy Lane side of the site.

The land is made up of two former rail embankments, rail sidings and a landfill site, it has been vacant for many years.

The site is adjacent to the Spen Valley Greenway. Plans for the project include a
floating cafe for Greenway users.

Thursday 1 October 2009

New blog for ABLE Kirklees!

This site will track the developments of our exciting new project in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire.

With the funding now approved, plans are being finalised for the £1.25 million project, with work scheduled to start in the coming months.

Check back here for regular updates, photos and a round up of press coverage on ABLE Kirklees.

Project Overview

The site of former rail sidings on Walkley Lane, Heckmondwike has been offered to the Green Business Network (GBN) by Kirklees Council to establish a fish farm, and outdoor learning training centre based on the successful ABLE project it has set up in Wakefield.
The new project will provide social education and training for Kirklees young people and could also host a visitor attraction. The Walkley Lane project would host a bigger fish farm and would provide a training and education programme for youngsters excluded from school and those on community punishment orders.
The innovative project will have an eco build, and will not only provide fish and horticultural produce for food, but will also be a vital training resource. The project could also host a coffee shop and toilets for people making use of the Spen Valley Greenway which runs alongside the site.

ABLE Kirklees