ABLE Kirklees — Heckmondwike

The GBN has now been offered a site by Kirklees Council to establish ‘ABLE Kirklees’ a fish farm, and outdoor learning training centre based on the ABLE project. The land at Walkley Lane in Heckmondwike, two former rail embankments, rail sidings and a landfill site, has been vacant for many years. The new project will provide social education and training for Kirklees young people.

It is hoped that the new site, situated next to the Spen Valley Greenway will include floating buildings, a community café, a recreational fishing area and a bike hire / recycling and repair facility.

Graham Wiles of the GBN says that the Walkley Lane site will host a bigger fish farm and provide a training and education programme for youngsters excluded from school and those on community punishment orders. “This is an innovative project with an eco build which will not only provide fish for food but also a training resource” he said. “It may also be possible to host a coffee shop and toilets for people making use of the Spen Valley Greenway.”