The site of former rail sidings on Walkley Lane, Heckmondwike has been offered to the Green Business Network (GBN) 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 linked to the Spen Valley Greenway.
Kirklees Cabinet approved in principal the plan to establish a similar project on the Walkley Lane site at its meeting on Wednesday May 16. Cabinet member for the Environment, Cllr Martyn Bolt, said: “This could bring to Kirklees and Heckmondwike a flagship environmental project and located next to the greenway network it will substantially underline our commitment to environmental issues.
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| The 10 acre site is adjacent to the Spen Valley Greenway |
“The council confirms its green credentials and intends to be a beacon council working with the Green Business Network to replicate the award-winning work that it has done in Wakefield and elsewhere on recycling and producing food through renewable resources.”
Cllr Jim Dodds, Cabinet member for Children and Young People’s Service, said: “I have seen the good work that the Able Project is already carrying out which not only encompasses the council’s green agenda but gives youngsters who have not had the best start in life the opportunity to work on projects that prepare them for future employment and encourages them to become valued members of society. We should support the expansion of the project wholeheartedly.”
Graham Wiles of the GBN says that 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.
“This is an innovative project with an eco build which will not only provide fish for food but also a training resource” he said. “It may also be possible to host a coffee shop and toilets for people making use of the Spen Valley Greenway.”
The project now has its own website
