Chemical set-back overcome by Millennium Community

Planning permission for a joint venture at Allerton Bywater Millennium Centre has now been granted, despite considerable set back caused by contamination problems.


Work on the site, which will consist of 16 workspace units and provide around 100 full time jobs, is due to start this month. Development at Allerton Bywater had been delayed for over a year following problems encountered while decontaminating a nearby chemical plant.

National regeneration agency English Partnerships (EP) has also submitted for planning permission on the first phase of a housing development at the same site. It proposes around 200 houses, all built to a higher environmental standard than required by current regulations to achieve an EcoHomes “excellent” rating.

“This is very good news as it mean we can now take the next step in creating a thriving development for Allerton Bywater,” local MP Colin Burgon said. “New homes and jobs will help us regenerate this tightly knit community and ensure that the village has a real future.”

A range of social and community projects have already been completed at Allerton Bywater by EP, including a new skate park and public library. Neil Bradbury, regional director for the North East and Yorkshire at EP stated that the development site would act as an example for future projects.

“Allerton Bywater will demonstrate the value of a mixed-use development as a model for communities across England, demonstrating the benefits of utilising both the best environmental practice standards and the most efficient building methodologies in housing construction,” he said.

If planning permission is granted, the construction of new homes for the Allerton Bywater Millennium Community should commence early next year.

By Jane Kettle

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