The Historic Kirkstall Valley Forge

Dr fred dave

There has been metal forging on this site since 1147. First by the Cistercian monks of Kirkstal Abby's then became the sight of Kirkstal Valley Forge which was finally closed in 2003. Famous for its importance during the 2nd world war for forging gun barrels. It was at one point the only place in England producing them and had a the Germans know they could have struck a real blow against our war effort. In 1913 the whole area was surrounded by a high brick wall with lookout points at regular intervals. This wall with its sentry points is still mostly intact. So if you've driven past and wondered what odd looking wall is for now you know. It is now a building site and has been for many years. Promising up to date housing and facilities. The council, (according to Private Eye), gave the building contract to a Swiss company owned by a multi billionaire property developer. In such a hurry to push the project through Leeds council payed the 10 million planning fee for the company, meaning we the council tax payers of Leeds then footed this bill!! And after more than 3 years we have yet to see a home, private housing non of which will be "affordable", built! The expected completion date is in 2034!! But at least they finished the office block with obligatory leisure facilities on the ground floor. And the train station, and car park to ease the lives of the would be, ?, home owners of over priced housing built on the cheap.

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