News: Planning board votes to approve Rotherham padel plans

Plans for new padel courts at a cricket club have been approved by the planning board at Rotherham Council, going against the recommendations of the planning officers.

Rothbiz reported in January on plans from Upper Haugh Cricket Club for four new courts at its site off Wentworth Road, near Rawmarsh.

The plans showed how four new padel courts and a new two lane fully enclosed cricket net facility would replace the existing cricket nets which are over 20 years old and considered to be no longer fit for purpose. The application has now been reduced to three courts which are located adjacent to each other.

The proposals also included assessments covering issues such as noise, lighting, biodiversity and traffic.

The hours of operation were expected to be between 8am and 9pm with the noise impact assessment recommending the installation of an acoustic barrier.

A number of objections were received, including from the council's own Environmental Health team. A decision on the application has already been deferred to allow for the attendance of the relevant Environmental Health Officer.

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In recommended refusal, council planners said that: "The independent assessment finds that the proposed three outdoor padel courts at Upper Haugh Cricket Club would create significant adverse noise impacts for nearby residents" - disrupting the use of gardens for relaxation and forcing residents to keep windows closed.

Consultants for the applicants say that the officer's concerns are overstated and that residents already experience high ambient noise from Wentworth Road.

Having heard from applicants, local residents and specialist officers, the board went against the recommendation of the planning officer in voting to approve the plans, subject to a number of conditions.

A post from Upper Haugh Cricket Club and the newly formed Rotherham Padel Club, said: "After a lengthy and at times difficult process - padel is coming to Upper Haugh CC. Our sincere thanks to all those who have offered their support.

"Whilst incredibly happy to be able to share the news we want to take a moment to acknowledge the concerns raised by some of our closest neighbours. Whilst committed to the project our intention was never to cause upset. We have a difference of opinion but know their concerns to be genuine and will work hard to ensure any disruption is minimised."

Rotherham Padel Club Facebook page

Images: Rotherham Padel Club

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News: Millmoor demolition plans approved

The new owners of Millmoor in Rotherham will be able to knock down large parts of the historic football stadium after Rotherham Council approved the method of demolition.

Rothbiz revealed last month that plans had been submitted with the Ron Hull Group stating that it planned to demolish parts of Millmoor due to it’s poor condition and the "long term lack of a viable user."

The works will see the site "left in a state where redevelopment will be possible at a future date."

Ron Hull Group, the new owners of CF Booth Ltd, took on the old football ground when it acquired the assets of the historic Rotherham firm that had entered administration.

The owners are working with local Rotherham firm, Eton Construction, on plans for the area - the 35-acre site that includes the ground and the large Booth operations at the Clarence Works at Armer Street in Masbrough.

The priority is to demolish the incomplete main stand, Tivoli, Admin building, and Tivoli stand first, followed by the terrace, uncovered stand and part of the Millmoor Lane stand, lighting columns and then the other associated buildings.

Construction of a new Main Stand started in approx. 2005 and was intended to replace the earlier timber stand, but work ceased in late 2007 leaving the stand incomplete, resulting in the steel structure being left open to the elements. Applicants say that a lot of work would be needed to enable construction work to continue, all of which would be uneconomic given there is no use or future use for this structure. They add that it is unsafe to leave the stand in its current unfinished state.

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The Tivoli Stand, Millmoor Lane Stand (part), Uncovered Stand, and Terrace all have stepped concrete slabs with steel framed structures above with asbestos cladding, and all are now showing signs of neglect and disrepair as a result of having not being maintained since the football club’s relocation.

The 1950's admin building has a flat roof which has failed allowing moisture into the structure causing considerable damage.

The Tivoli with accommodation over is a 1960's building laterly used as a nightclub. This is also showing signs of disrepair and decay due to moisture ingress from the flat roofs.

The 70's press box is in a state of disrepair and showing signs of general decay due to a lack of general maintenance, whilst the floodlights are showing signs of decay, effecting possible safety.

Approving the method of demolition, Rotherham Council planners said: "None of the buildings or structures mentioned above have had any maintenance carried out on them for some considerable time, and especially so since the relocation of Rotherham United Football Club in 2007, when the ground became vacant with little further use. As a result, all the buildings are showing signs of disrepair and showing signs of general structural decay. The buildings and structures are proposed to be demolished, and future development of the site will then be considered."

The full demolition of the buildings and structures is expected to take approximately four months with the materials being processed within the Ron Hull Group.

The buildings will generally be demolished by tracked demolition machinery, equipped with demolition shear and selecta grab attachments. This is considered to be acceptable and will not cause any nuisance or long term disturbance to the neighbouring structures.

Planners add: "Furthermore, the current proposed restoration of the site is considered acceptable as it will allow for the site to be used in the future for development."

Ron Hull Group website

Images: Google Maps / Ron Hull / Eton Construction

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News: Talks continue over Speciality Steel sale

Talks remain underway with the preferred bidder for Speciality Steel UK (SSUK), the Minister of State for Industry has confirmed.

Last August, a judge approved an application from creditors to place SSUK, previously part of Liberty Steel and GFG Alliance, into compulsory liquidation. Teneo Financial Advisory Limited were brought in as Special Managers whilst a formal sale process takes place.

The government committed £50m to keep the sites in Rotherham and Stocksbridge open throughout the bidding process. Multiple companies came forward with the government confident a buyer can be found.

In April, the official receiver announced a period of exclusivity with a preferred bidder. Marking the next stage of a future sale agreement, the announcement said that talks were "expected to last approximately five weeks, during which the preferred bidder will progress their bid."

Rotherham MP, Sarah Champion has received confirmation from Chris McDonald MP that those talks remain underway. Champion added: "He made very clear that he does not want the works to close and he is keen for the site to start production at the earliest possible time."

The Financial Times is reporting that Blastr is the preferred bidder.

The steel industry has been a hot topic in Westminster this month with a recent debate on the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill where Sarah Champion used the opportunity to highlight the importance of steel to Rotherham.

The MP said: "Rotherham is a steel town. It has seen the consequences of past Governments’ neglect up close. Speciality Steel, which is based in Rotherham—and Stocksbridge—should be a crown jewel in our economy, but it has been allowed to lurch from crisis to crisis, choked of investment and left at the mercy of unscrupulous ownership, unfair competition and a lack of vision. The plants currently stand still, shuttered amid the fallout of Liberty’s collapse. The workers are furloughed and uncertain about what their futures hold.

"My concern is not limited to Speciality Steel. Steel in Rotherham is at the centre of our local economy, and the crisis has had a substantial impact up and down the supply chain. The Minister’s ambition for steel’s renaissance could also be a rebirth for local businesses and local communities, but that requires investment, foresight and commitment. The Government’s steel strategy sets out a strategic vision for the industry and, crucially, delivers real and profound change for the sector as a whole. With £2.5 billion of investment in the sector and an ambitious but achievable target of 50% of the steel used in Britain to be produced here, the strategy is a blueprint for a revitalised domestic steel industry; it is one that has been roundly welcomed by the sector."

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In the same debate Chris McDonald MP, said: "That business [SSUK] shows the power of a productive Government intervention, working carefully with industry, because the Government have underwritten the costs of the official receiver to allow a proper sale of the business. The official receiver is in exclusive discussions with a potential buyer, and there was a high level of interest in the business from the market.

"As we look forward to the potential sale of the business, we can see the vital role that the Government have played in recognising that steel undertakings are complex, that it can be difficult and can take time to assess them, and that they require high levels of working capital. That contrasts significantly with Governments in the past, who allowed steel companies to close simply by not allowing that process to continue."

In a subsequent debate on steel tariffs, the minister said: "We all understand the position with Speciality Steel UK in Stocksbridge and Rotherham. That business is going through administration, and it was impossible for it to compete in the UK while there was an influx of subsidised steel.

"This Government have decided that we want to have a full aerospace supply chain, including our own speciality steels production. That is a different choice from the one that the previous Government made when they were approached by industry, offering to co-invest in that site and keep it open. They rebuffed all those responses, because their view was, “Leave it to the market, let the steel plants close.” We are making a different choice."

Images: SSUK

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News: Developer "buzzing" to land Rotherham regen contract

Leading social impact developer Capital&Centric, has talked up the potential of its regeneration schemes in Rotherham town centre that aim to be "characterful, independent and full of life."

Rothbiz revealed earlier this month that the Manchester company, a specialist in unlocking and transforming "unloved" brownfield sites into vibrant, design-led neighbourhoods, had been awarded a contract that could reach up to £100m in value.

This week, A Rotherham Council cabinet paper confirmed the appointment and released details of the design concepts for five council-owned sites across the town centre.

Cabinet will be told how three of the five sites - Westgate, Sheffield Road and the Statutes – could be used to create a new riverside residential neighbourhood.

Early plans suggest around 225 new homes could be delivered across these sites, forming a significant new community within walking distance of the town centre.

The developments are expected to focus on high-quality apartments and houses, with a strong emphasis on modern town centre living and a “premium lifestyle offer” aimed at attracting new residents and increasing spending in the local economy.

If approved, construction on these sites could begin as early as 2028.

The remaining two sites - Snail Yard and Corporation Street - could focus on smaller-scale, mixed-use developments designed to bring activity back into the heart of the town centre.

Plans include office and retail space alongside new residential units, with Snail Yard centred around a courtyard concept and Corporation Street featuring duplex apartments above ground-floor commercial uses.

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John Moffat, joint managing director at Capital&Centric, said: "We’re buzzing about the opportunity to bring the Capital&Centric approach to Rotherham. All five sites are brimming with potential, and our ambition is to create a connected neighbourhood that complements Rotherham’s best bits and feels characterful, independent and full of life.

“The mix of riverside homes, green spaces and commercial space for residents and local businesses to do their thing is how we plan to create a lasting community.”

Cllr. John Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, added: “These plans represent what could be a major step forward for Rotherham town centre and show just how much ambition we’ve got for these sites. We’ve been working closely with Capital&Centric, and we’re absolutely delighted to be continuing that partnership - they’ve brought real creativity and energy to the plans so far.

“What I’d say is, this isn’t just about buildings, it’s about creating new communities, new homes and new opportunities right in the heart of Rotherham. We’re looking at a future where people choose to live, work and spend time here, and that’s something we can all be proud of.

“This is all part of our commitment to creating thriving town centres.”

Capital&Centric website

Images: Google Maps

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News: Capital&Centric's initial proposals for Rotherham town centre regeneration

Rotherham Council has published further details of a multimillion pound regeneration scheme that involves social impact developer Capital&Centric, leading on construction projects across a number of council-owned sites.

Rothbiz revealed earlier this month that the Manchester company, a specialist in unlocking and transforming "unloved" brownfield sites into vibrant, design-led neighbourhoods, had been awarded a contract that could reach up to £100m in value.

The sites include:

- the cleared site of the burnt-out buildings on Corporation Street
- Snail Yard - the cleared site of the former Primark store on High Street, currently a small pocket park
- The Statutes - the cleared site of the former Magistrates Court, currently used as a car park
- two sites along Sheffield Road in the area designated as Riverside Residential

A cabinet paper explains that the design concepts for The Statutes and the sites on Sheffield Road are for residential schemes that are estimated to deliver 225 new homes including both apartments and houses.

The paper adds: "At this stage of the feasibility work, the option proposed by Capital and Centric on which the current funding strategy is based is for the new homes to be developed for private rent with Capital & Centric acting as landlord.

"Capital & Centric are exploring a proposal to fund the development of these sites through their Impact & Places Partnership, which is a joint venture between Swiss Life Asset Managers, Homes England and Capital & Centric. It should be noted that while some viability modelling has taken place and that this indicates the development can be fully funded through this partnership, there remains a risk that the schemes will require additional capital funding outside of the partnership."

The Corporation Street and Snail Yard sites are considered best suited to a development of mixed uses. For Snail Yard, the concept proposes office, retail and four residential units around a courtyard space. Concepts for 3-7 Corporation Street consists of ground floor commercial space with ten duplex residential properties above.

A previous £6m council scheme with 19 1-bed and 2-bed flats and three commercial units on Corporation Street received no interest from the market when it went out to tender.

The latest cabinet report states that these schemes are not considered viable without some form of public sector funding and the council is set to work with Capital&Centric to find gap funding.

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With the first phase underway, the second phase involves the creation of full business cases for each site and stage three is the actual development.

Following cabinet approval, Rotherham Council is proposing to meet the pre-development costs at stage 2 of £2.42m from its remaining Local Regeneration Grant secured from the government. The outcome of Stage 2 feasibility work will be reported to Cabinet in Summer 2027.

Risks have been identified relating to viability, finding gap funding and disposing of the land at nil value. The cabinet report states: "In considering these risks it is important to understand the rewards that are possible to be gained for Rotherham Town Centre should the development of these 5 Strategic Sites be supported. In contrast, doing nothing would leave 5 prominent Town Centre sites undeveloped and unable to achieve their full potential to transform the town centre offer and potentially undermine the ability of other key regeneration projects to generate the greatest impact. Cabinet will have the opportunity to decide whether to proceed or not after the completion of the Stage 2 development work."

Other options, such as putting the land up for sale on the open market, or proceeding to development led by the authority are not recommended.

The report concludes: "In developing the procurement strategy for the 5 Strategic Sites the Council determined that the procurement of a Developer Partner, as opposed to in house or consultancy developed proposals, was the most effective route to ensuring buildability from the outset given the complexity of the sites. The phased approach gives the Council greater control over the evolution of the schemes.

"It enables the Council to ensure proposals are fully tested, costed, and aligned with the agreed vision for Rotherham. Advancing to Stage 2 at this time maintains the original plan and keeps momentum, maintains Council influence over the sites, and ensures decisions are based on detailed evidence rather than assumptions, giving the town centre the best chance of achieving high-quality, coordinated development in line with the Council’s Placed Based Investment Strategy, Town Centre Masterplan and Town Investment plan."

Capital&Centric website

Images: Google Maps

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