Clariant UK aka Sandoz

jonleeds · Post by **jonleeds** » Sat 14 Apr, 2012 8:42 pm

Start demolishing the site? They've been demolishing it bit by bit for the past few years CathJ, what you can see in your photographs is a fraction of what used to be there. As far as gigantic housing developments go I cant see it happening, well not at the moment anyway. I think the planners have just been testing the water with a view to selling the land with planning potential, it will probably end up been bought by some investment firm who wont be bothered if they build houses this year or in 20 years time.

Post by **chameleon** » Sat 14 Apr, 2012 10:17 pm

Came across this toohttp://www.ukurbex.com/index.php?/topic/871-sa ... -nov-2010/

CathJ · Post by **CathJ** » Sat 14 Apr, 2012 11:58 pm

I think you are probably right Jon, they will be selling the site on once they have finished removing the buildings ect and it is to be seen what, if anything is put in its place. The plans to put a major housing development on the site isn't too popular with the local community so it may never be turned into anything. Chameleon, 28 days later have some images of the site too. The guy who showed me around mentioned it with a slight tone of disapproval.

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Mon 01 Apr, 2013 8:37 pm

Planning permission for 400 homes granted by the Secretary of State after being rejected by the council:http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/n ... 41365Isn't local democracy a wonderful thing? I particularly appreciate the "artists impression" which looks like the local school knocked it up.

tilly · Post by **tilly** » Tue 02 Apr, 2013 1:44 pm

raveydavey wrote: Planning permission for 400 homes granted by the Secretary of State after being rejected by the council:http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/n ... 41365Isn't local democracy a wonderful thing? I particularly appreciate the "artists impression" which looks like the local school knocked it up. Hi raveydavey He must have been on the pop when he did that I still say you can have as many meetings has you like but its done and dusted long before the plans are drawn up.So much for being rejected by the council,green belt land is there such a thing. Just because the factory had been built there in the first place gives them an excuse to put 400 houses on the site

jonleeds · Post by **jonleeds** » Thu 04 Apr, 2013 10:50 pm

Well even if the planning permission is granted doesnt necessarily mean anything will actually happen. Back in 2007 there were grand plans to redevelop the Woodside Quarry site a few miles furthur along the ring road at West Park. There was a development corporation called the Burford Group who had visions of creating an 'urban village' complete with hundreds of luxury houses / apartments, shops / gym, large hotel complex on the ring road and even a new railway station complete with multi-storey park and ride facility. They held public consultations as well as spending millions on relocating the great crested newts from the pools in the quarry to specially built ponds off Low Lane and developing public transport strategies for re-routing local buses to serve this 'urban village'. Ultimately it all came to nothing as the worlds economy went pear shaped and the whole site has been up for sale since. I know the old Sandoz factory site has similar issue with protected species (great crested newts) and just because some initial planning permission might have been granted doesnt mean the whole scheme will go ahead. There will be issues surrounding traffic management / lack of local services (school places / doctors etc) for potential new residents that will all be brought up before a single brick is ever laid.I imagine that whoever owns the site is simply applying for potential planning permission so that the site becomes attractive to developers so they can resell it for more than they paid for it.

stutterdog · Post by **stutterdog** » Thu 04 Apr, 2013 11:33 pm

jonleeds wrote: Well even if the planning permission is granted doesnt necessarily mean anything will actually happen. Back in 2007 there were grand plans to redevelop the Woodside Quarry site a few miles furthur along the ring road at West Park. There was a development corporation called the Burford Group who had visions of creating an 'urban village' complete with hundreds of luxury houses / apartments, shops / gym, large hotel complex on the ring road and even a new railway station complete with multi-storey park and ride facility. They held public consultations as well as spending millions on relocating the great crested newts from the pools in the quarry to specially built ponds off Low Lane and developing public transport strategies for re-routing local buses to serve this 'urban village'. Ultimately it all came to nothing as the worlds economy went pear shaped and the whole site has been up for sale since. I know the old Sandoz factory site has similar issue with protected species (great crested newts) and just because some initial planning permission might have been granted doesnt mean the whole scheme will go ahead. There will be issues surrounding traffic management / lack of local services (school places / doctors etc) for potential new residents that will all be brought up before a single brick is ever laid.I imagine that whoever owns the site is simply applying for potential planning permission so that the site becomes attractive to developers so they can resell it for more than they paid for it. Don't you beleive it Jon! There was a similar developement proposed for Kirklees Knoll in Farsley about 3 years ago but on a much smaller scale on green belt land by Thornhill Estates.The developement was rigourously opposed by local people and the City Council refused planning permission too. Thornhill Estates appealed to the Govt. and it was given the go ahead! Building commenced a year ago! As you say, hows that for local democracy! The queue of traffic on a midweek morning to get to Rodley will be horrendous.it was bad 5 years ago.They'll be lucky to get out of the estate!

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Thu 04 Apr, 2013 11:34 pm

Think you're right but I think we'll see more examples of the govt over-riding councils to get development going for the 'economy'.

jonleeds · Post by **jonleeds** » Fri 05 Apr, 2013 12:20 am

I'm not actually opposed to it as such if it was properly planned, I appreciate there is a need for new housing and its a brownfield site in a lovely location. What does my head in is that its all about profit and no consideration is given for developing social housing. Plus these schemes are ill thought out with regards to the impact hundreds of new residents will have on the surrounding area. The additional traffic that will be created flowing directly onto the already overcrowded ring road at rush hour will furthur compound the chaos. Plus the development at Kirkstall Forge only a couple of miles away will mean that even more pressure is put on local services by all the newcomers. I very much doubt provision will be made by creating new doctors surgeries, dentists, schools etc. As long as Redrow Homes make a whacking profit they can no doubt ride rough shod over any opinions of local residents and councillors. I guess they will have very clever consultants and lobbyists on their payroll to make sure their future profit making schemes go ahead with little resistance. Just goes to show that we are living in a capitalist dictatorship where them with the brass tell the rest of us whats gonna happen and there is nowt you can do to stop it.

Caron · Post by **Caron** » Fri 05 Apr, 2013 2:07 am

Well written jonleeds !