21 hours Ago By BBC
Four blocks of 1960s flats in Pontefract town centre are to be demolished because they spoil the view of the town's 955-year-old castle ruins. Wakefield Council has given the go-ahead for Violet Pritchard House, Silkstone House, Francis Lane House and Warren House - part of the Horsefair Flats complex - to be bulldozed. The council's conservation officer said: "The scale and form of the flats abruptly contrasts with the historic context of the area, and in particular undermines the significance of the castle.
" The social housing provider plans to replace the buildings with new housing projects, according to documents submitted to the local authority. Approving the proposals, a planning officer's report said it was accepted the flats "contribute little from a visual perspective to the local area" and their demolition would be "beneficial". A heritage statement said the buildings are within the Pontefract Castle conservation area and less than 300m from the medieval monument.
According to the statement, the buildings make a "negative contribution" to the area and their demolition would be a "minor enhancement". History of Pontefract Castle Source: Duchy of Lancaster Wakefield District Housing (WDH) submitted an application to knock down the buildings in December last year. The flats are currently vacant after former residents were housed elsewhere.
The demolition phase is expected to take about 40 weeks to complete and the site will then be grassed over until redevelopment takes place. WDH said it intended to submit a separate planning application for a new housing project on the land. Planning permission was granted with a condition that a full archaeological recording takes place at the site before further development is carried out.
Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds , catch up with the latest episode of Look North . More on this story Related internet links.
