Monday, March 18, 2024

News: Rotherham Council planners recommend 300 home development be approved

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Details of further phases of a 300 home scheme in Rotherham are set to be discussed at the council's planning board this week and officers are recommending that they be approved.

Rothbiz reported last year on Jones Homes launching its Lambcote Meadows development in Maltby at the same time as submitting a detailed planning application for the rest of the scheme.

Having secured planning permission for the first phase, and outline permission for the rest, work has started on 100 new homes on a 40-acre site off Grange Lane - 95 new homes for private sale and five affordable starter homes with a mix of three, four and five-bedroom properties.

Of the 300 dwellings proposed in total, 95 are proposed as affordable housing, which equates to 31.6%.

The land was previously in the Green Belt, however it was reallocated for residential use within the council's Local Plan in 2018.

The latest application covers reserved matters - things like appearance, layout, scale and access.

Many objections have been received but the planner's report states that most relate to issues already discussed when the outline plans were approved.

Other objections have been received on the grounds that "Maltby does not have enough resources to meet the needs of existing residents so will not be able to cope with more."

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The Section 106 for the outline permission included £756,300 towards funding the provision of additional school places at Maltby Academy. Section 106 legal agreements are signed between developers and the council when planning permission is granted on a site by site basis. They often include funding that can be used for school places, improving the local road network or public transport provision. Section 106 agreements would still be used, where appropriate, to secure affordable housing and on-site mitigation.

A planner's report showed that Rotherham Primary Care commented on the application highlighting that "since the closure of the Queens Medical Centre in 2022 services in this part of town have been extremely pressured and additional patient numbers without increased care provision will exacerbate this problem."

The closure of the medical centre comes four years after the outline plans were approved, when capacity issues were not looked into in detail by Rotherham Primary Care. The Section 106 for the outline permission did not make any provision of medical facilities and planner's confirm that "they cannot be required as part of this reserved matters application."

The report concludes that the overall layout of the site "offers an acceptable balance between achieving an efficient use of the land available ... whilst safeguarding a satisfactory provision of individual private amenity space for each dwelling." The plans also include an "acceptable level of landscaping appropriate for the site."

Rotherham Council's planning board are set to discuss the application on Thursday.

An outline application for 185 homes nearby was recently approved by Rotherham Council.

Jones Homes website

Images: Jones Homes

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News: Uber's Chinese rival wants to open an office in Rotherham

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A Chinese ride-hailing giant has applied for planning permission to open a new operation in Rotherham.

DiDi Global Inc. is the world’s leading mobility technology platform. It offers a wide range of app-based services across markets including Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Africa, including ride hailing, taxi hailing, chauffeur, hitch and other forms of shared mobility as well as auto solutions, food delivery, intra-city freight and financial services.

With services such as DiDi Express, DiDi Taxi, DiDi Food and DiDi Delivery, and over 500 million users, a planned expansion into the UK has slowed due to reported regulatory challenges and cybersecurity and privacy concerns.

DiDi Mobility secured a private hire operator licence for Sheffield back in 2021. A licence to operate in Rotherham was secured last year but it will expire in May 2024.

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The company has now applied for planning permission to enable it to take on an office within Bizspace's Silkstone House in Manvers, Rotherham.

The application explains: "Although we are applying as a private hire app operator, we act exactly like a normal E business. We will not have customers on site nor have any phone operators and no drivers or vehicles Didi Mobility UK Ltd."

The move is similar to rival firm Bolt, the Estonian company that has an operator's licence in Sheffield, and secured planning permission to operate from Bizspace's offices in Templeborough in 2022. Another rival, Uber also has a private hire operator's licence from Rotherham and Sheffield councils.

Last year, Rotherham Councl began consultation on changing its Hackney Carriage (taxi) and Private Hire Licensing Policy. After being found to have "weak and ineffective arrangements for taxi licensing which leave the public at risk," Rotherham's policy is now widely regarded as a benchmark for other local authorities. The new focus is on the increase in out of town vehicles and sub-contracting.

Didi website

Images: DiDi

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Tuesday, March 12, 2024

News: New "Dining Room" experience launching in Rotherham

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Something new is being added to the menu in Rotherham. Chef’s Counter, a pioneering local hospitality events company, has announced the grand opening of its first permanent site, and it is set to be in Rotherham town centre.

Not just about culinary excellence, the Sheffield-based social enterprise is dedicated to providing supported employment to individuals interested in pursuing careers in hospitality. With Chris Hanson, who spent seven years at Blend Kitchen, it has been running food events across a variety of underused spaces.

A permanent site is set to open next month inside a former hairdressers in the Imperial Buildings in Rotherham town centre.

Chef’s Counter has a proven track record of success, having hosted numerous sold-out public dining events in unique venues around Sheffield since its inception in 2023. From American diner food at the Millenium Gallery to a pie and pea super at Samuel Worth Chapel. The bespoke corporate hospitality service, “Business Bites,” has also garnered attention and bookings from across South and West Yorkshire.

Chris Hanson, founder and chef at Chef’s Counter, said: “Since our inception, Chef’s Counter has been about more than just food. It’s about community, inclusivity, and providing opportunities for those facing barriers to employment. With the launch of our first permanent dining room in Rotherham, we’re excited to expand our reach and continue making a positive impact in the region.”

The Victorian, Grade II listed, Imperial Building, was restored by developer, Illiad as part of the Rotherham Renaissance initiative in 2008 creating nearly 9,000 sq ft of retail space and 19 residential apartments around an Edwardian-era arcade with gallery space in the centre.

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In preparation for the opening of a permanent site, Chef’s Counter has launched a crowd funder appeal to raise money for the launch.

The Crowdfunder page reads: "Since our first invite only event in June 2023 and our latest sold out Saturday Night Dinner event in February 2024, Chef's Counter have cooked for over 2,000 people, won the collaboration excellence category at Sheffield Business Awards, had a mention from Jay Rayner in the Guardian, generated thousands of pounds additional revenue for local charities and community groups, created supported employment for 8 people overcoming barriers to enter the workplace (ranging from overcoming substance misuse, homelessness to living with long term mental and physical health conditions) and finally cooked alot of delicious food!

"We now need some help. So far hiring spaces on an ad hoc basis from local charities and community groups has been fine in terms of meeting the demand for our services. The reality now is we're getting busier and busier with more people booking onto our expanded public events programme and companies taking up our delicious business bites offering. So we've decided we need a permanent space that we can use as and when we need it rather than fitting round other groups.

"This year is about establishing Chef's Counter as a regional business, so in our search for a permanent site we've spread our wings a little bit further than Sheffield. We also want to use this opportunity to expand our events programme, create more jobs and bring some life back to areas that have been left behind a bit. We also want to create a model that is easy to replicate in other towns and cities as we continue to grow and expand in the years ahead.

"We're pleased to announce that we have found the perfect space in Rotherham. After viewing several locations over the last couple of months we came across Unit 8, part of the Imperial Building in the centre of Rotherham. We are now in a position to turn the space below into our first Chef's Counter dining room. The space will include a production & development kitchen to service all our upcoming South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire events as well as opportunity for guests to enjoy our food onsite."

Chef's Counter website

Images: Chef's Counter /

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News: Plans for new Rotherham tram-train stop get green light

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Plans have been approved for a £6.9m project to introduce a new tram-train stop on the existing network, and a new Park & Ride site, in Rotherham.

Network Rail has also officially been appointed to deliver the works at the.Magna Science Adventure Centre.

The scheme is designed to provide a boost to the museum and venue, and the wider Templeborough area, as well as improve alternative travel options in a location known for low air quality. Rothbiz reported on the application when it was submitted at the end of 2023.

The tram-train line runs to the rear of the site and making use of the existing underutilised parking supply at Magna is seen as a cost-effective way of increasing Park & Ride facilities in the area.

The application shows a station with two, 30m long platforms on land next to the car park at Magna, further down past the AquaTek outdoor play area. It is described as having basic facilities including a shelter, information boards, lighting, CCTV and cycle parking. A bridge, with lifts, and a fence running between the two tracks are also included.

The station will be accessed directly off the existing car park, which itself has direct access onto Bessemer Way. 428 standard parking spaces will be shared with Magna Science Adventure Centre, an increase from the current total of 399 spaces, and includes standard spaces, EV charging points, disabled spaces and motorcycle parking. In addition to this secure cycle parking facilities will also be provided at the site.

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Netowrk Rail said in the application that: "The proposal for a new station at Magna is seen as a vindication of the Tram-Train trial and is seen as a key enhancement in improving the public transport system of the Rotherham area, enhancing journey opportunities between the Magna attraction, the town, and the wider Sheffield area. It makes an important contribution to the sustainable development of the tourist attraction and the wider town in aiding modal shift and reducing dependence on the private car, enhances economic prospects for job creation and helps to maintain the attractiveness of the Magna facility."

The plans were approved without going before the council's planning board. Officers said: "Whilst this proposal does not lead to a direct increase employment levels, improved public transport infrastructure and the associated benefits this brings is considered to assist with the economic development of the area and of the Magna site."

The officer's report adds that the proposal's "dual role as a park and ride facility and public transport access to the Magna facility will not have any adverse impact on local road infrastructure or capacity.

"It is considered that the site is in a sustainable location and that the additional tram-train stop is considered to improve sustainability of both the site as well as the sustainability of the improved tram network. The layout of the site is considered to be acceptable in highway terms and the level of shared car parking retained is appropriate."

Magna has plans to continue growing its events business (e.g. holding conferences etc.) and wants to develop a night-time economy (e.g. bands/concerts etc.). Operators also hope that recent investments in the visitor attraction will boost visitor numbers from 80,000 to 100,000 in 2023/24 and 120,000 in 2024/25.

Backed by the Government's Transforming Cities Fund (TCF), South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) signed a funding agreement for £6,859,649 last month with Network Rail which said that start on site was due in Spring 2024 with forecast completion and entry into service Autumn/Winter 2024.

Images: Google Maps

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Monday, March 11, 2024

News: Rotherham town centre venue set to reopen

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A prominent pub in Rotherham town centre could be back open soon after successful operators look to take on another venue.

It is another boost for the local leisure and night time economy sector, even before the completion of the Forge Island development this summer, with Rothbiz recently reporting on a rise in new venues applying for premises licences and to change the use of buildings.

Now the team behind Amber Lounge, a contemporary cocktail / champagne bar in the former cinema at the bottom of Ship Hill, has announced on social media that it has signed on to reopen The Corn Law, just around the corner.

The Corn Law Rhymer on High Street / Moorgate Street was sold off by J D Wetherspoon for an undisclosed sum in 2016 to Hawthorn Leisure. It reopend later that year as Stone & Taps but reverted back to being The Corn Law with sporadic opening, not helped by the COVID pandemic.

Hawthorn Leisure was taken over by Admiral Taverns in 2021, and last year agents Everard Cole were brought in to progress a number of disposals for the community pub group. The freehold of The Corn Law was made available for £295,000.

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The substantial three storey premises has a gross external area of 6,083 sq ft, with most of the trading being on the open plan ground floor.

The pub is housed in a property purpose built for the Yorkshire Bank when it opened in 1968. It is on the site of the long-standing Crown Inn which was first recorded in 1605. Previously know as The Litten Tree, its current name recalls Ebenezer Elliott, who achieved fame as the Corn Law Rhymer. The Rotherham-born poet's hard-hitting verses played a significant part in ending the unpopular corn laws which caused widespread hardship in the 19th century.

A Facebook update from Amber Lounge, said: "We are now the proudest owners of this absolute golden oldie and I mean who don't want to see this place back up and running[?]

"After continued success of the Amber Lounge we have decided to expand our business and open up a second venue.

"We cannot wait to get these doors back open."

An opening date has already been set of March 28.

Corn Law Facebook page

Images: Everard Cole / Amber Lounge / Facebook

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