'New depot is essential': New bus depot 'not likely' to have 'significant effect' on environment - report
A new bus depot is “not likely” to lead to “significant environmental effects”, a new report has warned.
Plans are expected to be put forward to build the new facility at Wakefield Council’s former transport depot at Newton Bar.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) is set to submit a planning application for the scheme at the 2.65-hectare site after the completion of a public consultation.
It forms part of the Weaver Network, which aims to create a leading transport system for the region.
Planning regulations require applicants to request a screening opinion from a local authority if the size of urban development projects exceed one hectare.
A screening opinion indicates to developers how likely an environmental impact assessment (EIA) would be needed before a formal planning application is submitted.
A report, which considered the scale of the project, the potential increase in traffic, emissions and noise, said an EIA was not required.
The document said: “These impacts are expected to be short-term, localised and capable of being effectively mitigated through standard environmental management measures.
“It is concluded that the proposal is not likely to give rise to significant environmental effects within the meaning of the EIA regulations.”
An online document prepared on behalf of WYCA said: “The new depot will support the introduction of a new zero-emission bus fleet to serve Wakefield.
“The new depot is essential to improving the efficiency of Wakefield’s public transport network.
“The Newton Bar site has been chosen because of its existing use and close proximity to the city centre.
“This central location will help make services more reliable, improve operational efficiency, and reduce unnecessary bus mileage.”
Wakefield has been without a main bus depot since September 2024, when Arriva permanently closed its base on Barnsley Road.
The operator took emergency action following the discovery of serious structural problems in an engineering building.
The site, which also housed Arriva’s Yorkshire headquarters, is due to be demolished.
The statement added: “The existing depot on Barnsley Road is no longer suitable for modern operational needs.”
In December last year, the council relocated its vehicle fleet from Newton Bar to new premises at the Phoenix 66 building, on Green Lane Industrial Park, Featherstone.
The local authority previously said Newton Bar, to the north of the city centre, was “no longer fit for purpose” and “in a poor structural condition.”
WYCA would demolish some of the buildings to make way for the new depot if plans are given the go-ahead.
The proposed development includes parking and charging areas for up to 125 buses and a two-storey main building providing office space and a maintenance workshop.
A separate building for bus cleaning is also planned, along with staff car parking, secure cycle parking and landscaping.
An acoustic fence is proposed along some boundaries to reduce noise for residents living nearby.
The depot would operate on an almost 24-hour basis, with buses leaving between 4am and 7am and returning between 7pm and 1am, based on service needs.
Members of the public have until February 9 to comment before a planning application is expected to be submitted later this month.
Work on the site could begin in summer this year if the plans are approved and the new depot could be operational by 2028.