Former West Yorkshire Police training centre Bishopgarth could become 150 new homes

The former West Yorkshire Police training centre at Bishopgarth could be demolished to make way for up to 150 homes.
The old Bishopgarth police training facility, Westfield Road, Wakefield,The old Bishopgarth police training facility, Westfield Road, Wakefield,
The old Bishopgarth police training facility, Westfield Road, Wakefield,

The West Yorkshire Police authority was granted outline planning permission for the housing development last week.

Current buildings including classrooms, training rooms and a lecture theatre would be knocked down and a mixture of two-bed apartments and two, three and four bedroomed homes would be built in their place.

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Two letters of objection were lodged against the proposals raising concerns about the loss of the Bishops Palace building, threats to wildlife and an increase in traffic congestion.

A planning report to Wakefield Council said: “Following careful review it is concluded that the benefits of regenerating the site with a viable use would outweigh the loss of the Bishops Palace and Lodge Buildings in terms of heritage significance.”

The housing developer would be required to fund additional school places in the area to meet the needs of new residents. The site would be accessed from Westfield Road and College Grove Road, with a further pedestrian only access off Westfield Road.

West Yorkshire Police moved to new training facilities at Carr Gate in 2014.