Former Maccess building sold

One of the most dangerous buildings in Spen has finally been sold after years of negotiations and campaigns.
The former Maccess building. (D531A401)The former Maccess building. (D531A401)
The former Maccess building. (D531A401)

The former Maccess building, off Spen Lane in Gomersal, has been derelict for several years, and subject to numerous fires and incidents of vandalism, prompting people living in the area to campaign for its demolition.

And, in an email sent to the Reporter Series, Mark Whitehead, owner of Castlerock Capital, which owns the building, said: “As promised, I have pursued a number of solutions to rectify the situation at the Maccess site.”

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“I have managed to find a local developer who has bought the site from CCL and who will be submitting a planning application immediately to Kirklees council for the development of residential homes.”

Young campaigner Emily Warrillow celebrates the sale of the site.Young campaigner Emily Warrillow celebrates the sale of the site.
Young campaigner Emily Warrillow celebrates the sale of the site.

He went on to say he had notified the council on Thursday that the sale went gone through and that the developer will meet with the council in the coming days to discuss a planning application.

Mr Whitehead added: “They are fully aware of the local residents concerns and I have passed on their respective details to them.

“I have no doubt that you will see some major changes on the site in the very near term.”

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The news comes just weeks after 13-year-old Emily Warrillow presented a petition to demolish the building to Kirklees Council.

Mr Whitehead courted controversy last year by blaming some of the “destructive” elements of the local community for the building’s vandalised state.

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