Archived News 2008

ATTRACTING more than one industry is at the heart of sustaining and maintaining the Glass Houghton site for generations to come.

But at the start of the project the developers faced opposition to their plans for the former pit site.

Helen McLoughlin, Development Director, said: “These areas were devastated when the local mines closed down.

“What Wakefield Council wanted at the very start was old industry.”

“They were looking to the past, we were looking to the future. All the engineering jobs had gone and gone for good.

“If we had tried to recreate the same old jobs then it would have been a total failure and everyone would have lost money.

“We don’t believe that you should bring one type of industry to an area.

“It’s more sustainable to have a mixed-use site because it’s less likely to devastate an area if those jobs do go away.”

And getting the backing of the local community was crucial to Waystone, which had previous experience in redeveloping areas destroyed by pit closures.

Contracts Manager, Gwyn James said: “We had the kids from local schools involved from day one because they are the ones who mill be looking for jobs in the future.”

The company asked the children to help build a time capsule which was buried in one of the main mining shafts.

They also set up forums for local people to ask questions and contribute ideas.

Business Express (Wakefield Express) - Special Report - 12 September 2008