A vital £1.2m part of the Wakefield flood defence system and plans to reintroduce important wildlife species at the Calder Park development were unveiled today.

Owners of the park Peel Holdings have been working in partnership with the Environment Agency for the past 6 years to build the flood defence embankment that will protect the park and provide a storage area for flood water that will contribute to the protection of 1,200 properties in the town.

The construction of the 1km long x 3 metre high earthen flood bund will contribute to the £11m flood defence scheme for the whole of Wakefield that the Environment Agency is currently undertaking. The scheme has a number of parts some of which are being constructed by individual developers as part of work they are carrying out.

Nick Hey of Peel Holdings commented:

“This vital addition to the landscape also enhances the environment by providing essential new habitat for a variety of wildlife encouraging new species and supporting the existing.”

The work at Calder Park is a demonstration of how providing flood protection can also have great benefits to the environment. It is likely that Peel will be donating 100 acres of land at the business park site to the Environment Agency which would then manage the wetland area. Peel and the Environment Agency have been in consultation to design a habitat that will encourage important bird species such as the Lapwing and Redshank back to the area. The site will consist of three large ponds and a wetland area that will be used as storage for flood water in times of high levels in the River Calder.

As recent surveys have found evidence of otters on the nearby river, an effort will be made to create areas that will encourage them to use the Calder Park site. Shallow

water, reeds planted at the water’s edge and cover from trees such as willows should all contribute to a habitat that otters would like to use. Eventually as the ponds mature and support fish, this will provide an ideal food source for them. This habitat will complement the existing artificial otter holt built by the Environment Agency into the flood defences further down the river.

David Wilkes, area flood defence manager for the Environment Agency said:

“We have been delighted to work with Peel Holdings on this integral part of the flood defence scheme for Wakefield. The Environment Agency has so far invested £8 million on defences for the town and the majority of our work is due to be completed next year.

“Without the co-operation of developers on projects like this, protecting Wakefield from flooding would have been a far more difficult job. Today we are a step closer to the intention of providing increased flood protection to the town, and it has the added benefits of the additional wetland habitat Peel’s work has created.”

Calder Park is a site of 240 acres, and will consist of over 1.5m sq ft of quality office accommodation next to over 100 acres of wildlife haven and is believed to be the first development of it’s kind in the country. Current occupiers include George Wimpey, Fairclough Homes, red kite restaurant and holiday inn express.

The aim of the park is to create buildings within a tranquil and green setting where business and nature can be brought together to create the most harmonious workplace. Up to 10,000 new jobs will be created by the scheme.

Wakefield Council Cabinet Member for Environment Cllr Graham Isherwood said: “We are delighted to be part of this scheme, which will create the first development of its kind in the country. We feel that this combines the aims of our community strategy with promoting a dynamic economy, whilst maintaining a green and attractive environment..”

Alison Tennant
Peel Holdings, Tel 0161 629 8229/M 07901 883388