A FORMER coking plant which has come under fire since its closure for becoming a magnet for antisocial behaviour could have a brighter future.
Councillors Caroline Makinson and Pauline McCarthy were given a tour of Monckton, on Lund Hill Lane, Royston, alongside Monckton Developments Limited directors Richard Hopkinson and Martin Hague earlier this month.
The meeting was to see the current condition of the land and buildings and to listen to the directors’ aspirations to develop the 40-acre site.
Planning permission was previously sought to build houses on the site in 2020 but the application was withdrawn by the applicant.
However, the Chronicle understands the firm is readying a new bid to free up the land for housing developers to build - but concerns remain over the land’s suitability following 130 years’ worth of coke production which relied on coal to feed dozens of ovens.
Coun Makinson said: “It was an informative and worthwhile visit - as a local authority we have a duty to examine the full impact of any planning application.
“Last week offered an opportunity to discuss any future environmental impact, remedial works and highways design with the landowners.
“In the event of a new planning application being made the public will have the ability to comment on every aspect of the application.
“It’s a relatively flat site and a lot of work has been done to make it safe, but we’re unsure what’s beneath and how contaminated it potentially is due to its former use.
“It’s clear the owner is committed to developing the site and the top of that list is still housing.
“It’s a blot on the landscape currently so I am keen to see it brought back into use as it’s one of Royston’s gateways.”
Council bosses previously issued an enforcement notice against Monckton Developments due to the site’s condition following pressure from residents, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and the Environment Agency.
The notice allowed an eight-month period of time for bosses to return the land to its previous condition after it was found that ‘large piles’ of construction waste had accumulated at the site over several years.
This, the council claimed, represented a breach of planning control and required a ‘change-of-use’ application which had not been sought.
They subsequently appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, but a site visit by the government-run body ruled in the council’s favour.
The plant once supplied coke destined for use in glass, detergents and steel manufacturing but was hit hard because Chinese suppliers were able to undercut its prices.
Its then-owner, Hargreaves, subsequently entered a consultation process with employees on October 27, 2014 and ceased production just two months later, resulting in Monckton’s 130-strong workforce losing their jobs.
Coun Makinson added: “The initial housing plan has been withdrawn but the site has so much potential, so it’s something we’re all keen to see have a new, long-term use.”
