Kirkstall Forge

News

Planning permission extended as master plan evolves

CEG has been working closely with Leeds City Council (LCC) to refine the masterplan in order to further improve linkages with the woodland and millrace, to determine how best to integrate the forge building into the site and to reassess the overall massing of the scheme.

In addition, CEG has been working with Metro to deliver two new railway stations at Kirkstall Forge and Apperley Bridge. Subject to DfT funding, the new stations will be operational by May 2015.

As a result, CEG applied for a time extension to the planning permission which was agreed by LCC at a planning committee meeting on the 18th August 2011.

The proposals for Kirkstall Forge will deliver in excess of 1,000 homes and 300,000 sq ft of commercial office space, alongside retail and leisure facilities. CEG has committed £5.3million towards the delivery of the new railway station.

Charles Johnson from CEG said: "This time extension will ensure that we can create a unique scheme which unites this attractive setting, the woodland, waterfront and industrial heritage.

"The aim is to deliver the first phase of the scheme in conjunction with the delivery of the train station at Kirkstall Forge, which should be operational by May 2015. This would mean that Kirkstall Forge will be only six minutes away from Leeds City Centre. This, together with the facilities such as a gym, crèche, restaurants and bars makes it an ideal location for residents and businesses alike."

Plans for New Railway Station at Kirkstall Forge Get the Green Light from Council

Leeds City Council has approved plans for a new railway station at Kirkstall Forge.

The proposals for the new station, which form part of Commercial Estates Group's wider scheme to transform the 56-acre former industrial site into a thriving mixed-use community, were unanimously supported by the planning committee.

CEG's masterplan for Kirkstall Forge includes 1,045 homes and 300,000 sq ft of commercial office space as well as retail and leisure facilities. The company has provided £4 million towards the delivery of the station which will not only serve the new Forge development but also the wider area including Kirkstall, south Horsforth and Bramley Falls areas of the city.

"A new station at Kirkstall Forge is a key element in reducing congestion along a busy road corridor into Leeds, and I am glad that Leeds City Council has now given the project planning permission," said Metro Chairman Cllr Ryk Downes.

"Metro has worked closely with Network Rail, Northern, Leeds City Council and site developer CEG, which is contributing £4m to the larger £23.24m rail growth scheme, so it is important that we now ensure that the Government gives the scheme the go-ahead so this private sector funding is not lost."

Charles Johnson from CEG adds: "The new railway station will mean that Kirkstall Forge will only be a six minute journey from Leeds city centre. This, together with the riverside frontage and facilities such as a gym, créche, hotel, restaurants and bars makes it an ideal location for residents and businesses to locate."

Subject to approval from the Department for Transport, the station could be opened in 2013.

REVITALISED KIRKSTALL FORGE LAUNCHES TO MARKET

The commercial plans for Kirkstall Forge have been unveiled to property agent’s at a prestigious event in Leeds today.

More than 40 hand-selected agents attended the event as developer Commercial Estates Group (CEG) highlighted how the company intents to deliver one of the most ambitious schemes in Leeds’ development pipeline.

The masterplan, created by RIBA Sterling award-winning architects Fielden Clegg Bradley, reduces the number of apartments in order to provide more family homes and commercial office space on the 56-acre site.

Kirkstall Forge is one of the oldest industrial sites in the country and the largest brownfield mixed-use scheme underway in Leeds. Sustainability has been the driving factor in the development and CEG has provided £4 million towards the delivery of a new railway station and, in conjunction with Metro, are committed to opening this by December 2012.

In addition to attracting new residents, the site launched to the business community in February 2010. CEG announced its aim to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating on the commercial buildings and unveiled a bespoke lease and design package which allows tenants to tailor the building and lease terms to their individual needs.

Charles Johnson from CEG explains: “Once the railway station is operational, Kirkstall Forge will be only a six minute journey from Leeds city centre. This, together with the riverside frontage and facilities such as a gym, crèche, hotel, restaurants and bars makes it an ideal location for business.

"There is over 400 years’ of industrial history here and it’s important that we use this setting, the woodland landscape and waterfront and also provide a variety of modern facilities in order to create a unique commercial environment."

CEG SELECTS FEILDEN CLEGG BRADLEY FOR PRESTIGIOUS KIRSTALL FORGE SCHEME

Commercial Estates Group (CEG), developer of the 56 acre Kirkstall Forge in Leeds, has announced the appointment of Feilden Clegg Bradley to design the first phase of the multi million pound regeneration scheme.

CEG launched the Kirkstall Forge design competition last year and has been impressed by the design concepts submitted by Feilden Clegg Bradley’s team. CEG has now appointed the company to take on this prestigious opportunity to deliver a concept for this unique and historical site.

Jon Kenny from CEG says: "Selecting the preferred design team has been a tough process as all of the ideas created by the shortlisted companies were cutting edge.

"In terms of Kirkstall Forge, all of the concepts were exceptional and it has been an incredibly difficult decision. Feilden Clegg Bradley’s scheme was closest to CEG’s own desires and ambitions for this distinctive site and delivers a balance between the rich history left on the on site and the living and working environment of the future.

"As a result we have selected the company to design the first phase and we look forward to a visionary working relationship in the coming months and years."

Kirkstall Forge is one of the oldest industrial sites in the country and the largest brownfield mixed-use scheme underway in Leeds. An outline planning application was approved last month and incorporates 1,385 residential units, 177,800 sq ft of offices, a hotel and community facilities including small shops, bars, cafes, restaurants and a crèche for both the existing Kirkstall community and future Forge residents.

Over half of the site will be green space allowing for woodland walks, cycle routes and community access to the historical site. A new railway station will be opened on site linking The Forge to Leeds City Centre and the Yorkshire Dales; this will also include a park and ride facility.

The redevelopment will make use of the existing features of the site including industrial archaeology, the river frontage, the nearby canal and open countryside. Plans include the restoration of the historic Mill Race through the site and the preservation and investment into listed features such as the worker's cottages, forge building and war memorial.

CEG FORGES AHEAD

Commercial Estates Group (CEG) has been forging ahead with infrastructure and remediation design in order to inform future work on the multi million redevelopment of Kirkstall Forge in Leeds.

The demolition contractor, Libra Demolition, completed work on site in March 08 and following seven months of work, the archaeological investigations are also due to complete in July 08. A large area of oil contamination is currently being bio-remediated by Sirius, which will remove a significant, potential environmental hazard.

Charles Johnson from CEG says; "Remediation of the former heat treatment works is now well underway. We are removing oil left behind from years of industrial activity from both the soil and the water table. We are using sustainable bio-remediation processes to complete this first phase of the clean-up; this should be completed by late summer 2008.

"We are now very close to completing our archaeological excavation of the Forge. A team of 16 archaeologists under the watchful eye of the West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service (WYAAS) has been on site since December 2007 compiling a detailed record of the history of the site."

"As a result we have selected the company to design the first phase and we look forward to a visionary working relationship in the coming months and years."

White Young Green is providing multi-discipline environmental and civil design services, in relation to earthworks, infrastructure for roads and two bridges as well as a flood relief channel./p>

Due to the nature of the site, CEG has chosen to undertake comprehensive investigations before developing the designs to ensure a successful outcome for the remediation works and the infrastructure development.

Remediation works are also progressing on the listed buildings, which include the former workers cottages, which are being secured and made wind and water tight. Much of the design efforts have been focused on the roads and access at the current time, with Alan Baxter Associates being instructed to take forward this work.

Phil Royston Bishop, from Alan Baxter Associates, explains: "CEG is keen to steer away from conventional highway design and instead introduce some new thinking, so that the streets become a place for people to enjoy rather than just using them to get from A to B.

"We have visited cities, towns and villages across Europe to gain inspiration. We have spent the last few months undertaking meetings and discussions with Leeds City Council’s highways and planning teams in order to ensure that we can use more design flair and not necessarily adhere to set widths and materials.

"Many of the ideas will actually link the waterfront with the street scene and the materials used will be of the highest quality, such as granite and York stone, complimented with tree planting."

CEG first began working on plans to regenerate Kirkstall Forge in 2003. After two years of extensive consultation with local people, groups and Leeds City Council, the company received outline planning permission to create an exciting mixed-use scheme in July 2007 and has since been working with an array of consultants to progress on the detailed planning application.

Charles Johnson concludes: “We believe that Kirkstall Forge represents one of the biggest redevelopment opportunities for the city of Leeds. Located on the outskirts of the city, yet enclosed in a hidden riverside valley, it will be a fantastic place to live and work.

"As such we are paying great attention to detail. Work on the design of the infrastructure and access into the site has caused delays to the original programme, as we are keen to create something which is groundbreaking rather than in line with standard design.

"We are still developing our ideas on the design of the buildings within the site, which will include residential, renovation of the listed structures and commercial elements to ensure that we deliver the best scheme possible. It is essential that the final designs reflect the waterside and woodland nature of the site as well as its direct rail link into the city centre.

"We expect to finalise the phase 1 architect’s appointment over the summer and in the meantime are working hard to pave the way for a swift start on site following detailed planning approval."

CEG FORGES AHEAD

One of the last remnants of industry at the heart of Kirkstall Forge is set for a new lease of life as it is transported from Kirkstall Forge this week to a working forge in South Yorkshire.

The 60 tonne anvil bed, which sat within Kirkstall Forge for more than a century, will be moved to a South Yorkshire forge where it will be re-installed as a bed for the huge hammers used to forge high quality steel products for the pipeline industry from heated steel.

Commercial Estates Group (CEG) recently secured outline planning permission to redevelop the Kirkstall Forge site, the oldest industrial site in the country and the largest brownfield mixed-use scheme underway in Leeds.

The process to remove the ancient anvil began with two days of exploratory excavations, exposing the iceberg like mass of steel hidden beneath the surface. Specialist cranes were then brought in to lift the anvil onto specially reinforced vehicles and it is now en route to its new home in South Yorkshire.

Charles Johnson, development manager from CEG, said: "As a company, our aim is to create sustainable developments and securing the continued use of the anvil is the first step to achieving this on Kirkstall Forge."

CEG recently short-listed four internationally renowned architects as part of a design competition for Phase One, which will include approximately 230 new build residential units, the conversion of the listed Forge building, the refurbishment of the listed cottages and around28,000 sq ft of office, leisure and retail units including a hotel and community facilities such as small shops, bars, cafes, restaurants and a créche.

Over half of the site will be green space allowing for woodland walks, bicycle routes and community access to the historical site. A new railway station will be opened on site linking The Forge to Leeds City Centre and the Yorkshire Dales; this will also include a park and ride facility.

PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED FOR £300MILLION NEW VILLAGE ON 56 ACRE BROWNFIELD SITE IN LEEDS

Planning consent has been granted today for the creation of one of the largest mixed-use sites in Leeds.

Commercial Estates Group (CEG) has secured planning for the redevelopment of the 56-acre former Kirkstall Forge in Leeds, sited just three miles North West of Leeds City Centre.

The application includes the delivery of a new train station linking The Forge to Leeds City Centre and the Yorkshire Dales. The historic site will now be turned into modern homes, offices, leisure facilities, a hotel, retail, community facilities, bars and restaurants.

Jonathan Kenny, Director of CEG, says: “Securing planning permission will enable CEG to deliver one of the most unique developments in the North of England. We have worked closely with local people, groups and Leeds City Council, using its planning framework, to create a modern urban village of value to current and future residents.

"The site is in a unique location and offers an unrivalled development opportunity in a secluded woodland and waterside setting. Securing approval to open a rail halt on site to connect it to Leeds City Centre in just six minutes was vital to enable the creation of a new sustainable community on the site."

The redevelopment is expected to create approximately 1,540 new permanent jobs and up to 400 construction jobs. The scheme incorporates 1,385 residential units, 177,800 sq ft of offices, a hotel and community facilities including small shops, bars, cafes, restaurants and a crèche. Over half of the site will be green space allowing for woodland walks, bicycle routes and community access to the historical site.

CEG has committed £4 million to the creation of a new railway station at the site to link with a park and ride facility. A further £3.5 million will be invested in new community facilities, highway improvements and footpaths in the local area and the implementation of a robust green travel plan for the site.

The next stage of development will be the submission of a reserve matters application on Phase 1. This will consist of approximately 230 new build residential units, the conversion of the listed Forge building, the refurbishment of the listed cottages and the construction of various office and retail units.

CEG has now launched a comprehensive design competition which will see some of the country's top architects compete to create an innovative scheme for the first phase of development.

Jonathan Kenny continues: “This is an unrivalled opportunity for Leeds, Yorkshire and even the North of England. We will be delivering a new village – a sustainable community with homes, jobs, new facilities and leisure opportunities.

"We will take inspiration from living environments around the globe. The site will be individual and unique, set in a hidden valley just five minutes from Leeds City Centre, with all the facilities required on site for modern, urban living, including its own on-site management and security company.

"Our vision is to deliver a balance between the rich history left on the on site and the living and working environment of the future."

John Battle MP, Member of Parliament for Leeds West, adds: "Kirkstall Forge will give us a great environmental opportunity to have a green swathe from Rodley into the heart of City, linking the river and canal. It’s got amazing potential to make the best use of this huge brownfield site to create local jobs, cafes and other facilities, and a good mixture of housing – built to be a community, a place with an identity of its own."

Vast investment will be required to decontaminate the expansive area of derelict, despoiled and contaminated land, in order to bring this key brownfield site back into use.

The outline planning application was given the go ahead today. CEG has already commenced with demolition of the main forge complex and the protection of the listed buildings and cultural elements. Remediation and construction work will start on site as reserved matters are approved. It is likely that the full regeneration of the site will be phased over a 10-year programme.

Iron production took place at Kirkstall Forge from as early as the 16th Century. It was used to manufacture axles for the motor industry until 2002, when the then owners of the site, The Dana Corporation from Ohio, USA, announced the closure of the works, shifting production to India and Spain. CEG acquired the site in March 2003.