Work starts on £5m transformation of Pontefract brownfield land into new homes

Work is now underway on a multi-million pound housing scheme in Pontefract after issues holding it back were resolved.

The £5m project, recently greenlit by council planners, will deliver 27 new homes on the Hemsworth Lane brownfield site in Fitzwilliam.

DPA Planning Ltd, the Leeds-based planning consultancy and project management firm, worked with Wakefield Council for months to get the scheme back on track.

The development initially stalled after the landowner raised concerns about the scheme’s financial viability.

Outline planning permission was in place, but the site remained undeveloped for years due to problems with remediation, on/off site planning contributions, drainage and renewables.

Following a comprehensive reassessment of the project’s viability by Sam Dewar at DPA Planning, construction work was able to start on the first phase of the two- and three-bedroomed properties.

The entire development is due for completion by 2019.

Sam Dewar said: “After early frustrations and false start, the scheme is now back on track.

“We’re delighted to have played a part in a process that’s a good example of independent advisors and local authorities working in partnership to secure planning success.”

He continued: “Without a proactive and common sense understanding from the council’s planning team we couldn’t have re-started on site.

“Pre-commencement planning conditions have been removed along with other requirements that would otherwise render the scheme unviable.”