Shipping container riverside venue plan withdrawn

The plans were initially submitted in February 2023

Plans to build shops, a bar and leisure units in shipping containers next to the River Aire in Castleford have been withdrawn.

The scheme involved creating a performance area with a bar, retail space and offices next to the town's historic Queen's Mill.

The proposals were submitted to Wakefield Council in February 2023 by Castleford Heritage Trust (CHT).

The trust said it had withdrawn the application because of the cost and complexities the scheme had presented, but added that the plans may be revisited in the future.

The proposals included installing three refurbished shipping containers on land next to the mill, which had previously been occupied by a grain storage building.

A planning statement said the containers would have been painted dark blue to "help to maintain the industrial heritage of this area of Castleford".

"There is a shortage of recreation facilities in this area," it said.

The application said the new venue would also include a hospitality area, kitchen, elevated seating, walkways, and a car park for 31 vehicles.

Up to 15 full time jobs would have been created as a result of the scheme, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The trust said the plans maybe revisited at a later stage

But in September 2023 the Environment Agency (EA) objected to the proposal and recommended planning permission be refused due to the absence of a flood risk assessment.

The site lies close to where the Aire and Calder rivers meet.

Explaining the withdrawal of the application, a spokesperson for the trust said the cost of producing such a report to address the EA's concerns were beyond its current means.

They also said the trust had been advised to alter the design and layout of the scheme, which would have required it to submit a new application.

"It made sense for us to withdraw the application now," the spokesperson said.

"We haven't shelved the idea - it is something that we may revisit down the line in a few years."

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