A FISH farming and education project has been given a home by Kirklees Council.
Empty land at Walkley Lane, Heckmondwike, has been set aside for a second Able project.
Able, which already has a successful site in Wakefield, hopes to farm carp, catfish and sturgeon – which could produce caviare.
The site, next to the Spen Valley Greenway, aims to provide training and learning for young people, including those on probation or in danger of school exclusion or already excluded.
Plans for the project include vegetable patches to promote healthy eating, renewable heat sources for the fish tanks, a tree nursery and 14-acre woodland.
Able’s second phase was approved in principal by Kirklees Council in May.
Clr Martyn Bolt, Kirklees Cabinet member responsible for environment matters, said: “This could bring to Kirklees and Heckmondwike a flagship environment project.
“As it is next to the Greenway network it will substantially underline our commitment to environmental issues.’’
Clr Jim Dodds, Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “I have seen the good work that the Able project is already carrying out.
“It not only encompasses the council’s green agenda but gives youngsters who have not had the best start in life the opportunity to work on projects that prepare them for future employment and encourages them to become valued members of society.
“We should support the expansion of the project wholeheartedly.”
Graham Wiles, of the Green Business Network, said: “This is an innovative project which will not only provide fish for food but also a training resource.”
The people behind the original scheme came up with an idea of feeding waste cardboard to worms, which in turn were used to provide food for the thousands of fish they bred.
