Wednesday, February 10, 2021

News: New uses for historic High Street buildings

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A pair of vacant buildings on Rotherham's historic High Street could be brought back to life, if recently submitted, separate, planning applications are approved.

At the foot of the High Street, owners of the former bank, have submitted an application for the rest of the building having previously secured planning permission relating to the ground floor.

Rothbiz reported last year that permission had been granted to allow for part of the ground floor of the Grade II listed building, most recently the Royal Bank of Scotland, to change from financial and professional services (A2) so that it can be used as a café or restaurant (A3). Consent was also granted for internal alterations, as were plans to demolish redundant outbuildings in the rear yard.

Now, applicants, Zayan Developments, want to change of use of the first and second floors so it can operate as a hotel.

The plans, show that the scheme would provide 24 hotel bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms within the existing plan form, with only minor internal alterations needed. No external alterations are required and the hotel entrance would utilise the existing secondary access to the building on the High Street elevation, with only a small entrance lobby, stair well and lift at ground floor level.

The plans, drawn up by JR Planning Consultants, state: "Plans to bring the ground floor back into beneficial use are well-underway and permission has recently been granted for change of use of the ground floor to a café/restaurant. This application is phase II of the scheme and will ensure that the upper floors of the building are also brought back into beneficial use.

"This scheme would be highly beneficial for the town centre as it would return the vacant upper floors to a beneficial use that would enhance the vitality of the town centre and would complement other town centre businesses."

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Further up the High Street, SME Holdings, has submitted plans for a building which forms part of the historic Three Cranes and George Wright block of buildings that came close to being lost forever.

29-29a High Street is known by many as an Italian restaurant (which burnt down) but was most recently, The Craft Corner and The Bear’s Den. It is a former Georgian Town House.

The Grade II listed building has recently been converted to a number of one bedroomed apartments/living accommodation and the latest plans are to convert, what is thought to be a coachman’s or gardeners house, to become a two bedroomed, two storey dwelling with external courtyard amenity space.

With restoration and features such as a new timber door and new timber sash windows, this fire-damaged and vacant building is set to "be brought back from the edge" as Just Architecture put it in the application.

Images: Avison Young / SME

24 comments:

Anonymous,  February 10, 2021 at 11:33 AM  
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous,  February 10, 2021 at 11:35 AM  

Another burnt out building on way 🤔

Anonymous,  February 10, 2021 at 1:00 PM  

At one time it would of made a great weatherspoons not now though, it’s a brave company that takes on a building like this in the town centre -unless as mentioned asylum seekers are the intended ‘guests’

Anonymous,  February 10, 2021 at 4:07 PM  

The comments posted here in relation to asylum seekers and burning buildings are unnecessary and can be interpreted as thinly veiled racism. Please remove these.

Anonymous,  February 10, 2021 at 6:44 PM  

It is a sad reflection of today's society that asylum seekers are housed in poor quality ‘cheap’ accommodation (pure profiteering). We also have a history of old buildings that have ‘caught fire’, now only fit for demolition.
How this can be racist (what ‘race’ are asylum seekers) and why can’t people openly discuss concerns about the proposed development and use of empty buildings?

Anonymous,  February 10, 2021 at 6:58 PM  

Oh no not thinly veiled racism🤔For God's sake, get a life, nothing racist about those comments at all.

Anonymous,  February 10, 2021 at 10:32 PM  

I welcome the hotel development, but agree with the other poster around the asylum seeker comments not being warranted and find the tone of comments offensive.

Anonymous,  February 11, 2021 at 11:24 AM  

Seems that the woke society as found it's way onto Rothbiz, with its accusations of racism,when they don't agree, surprised they've not labelled Rothbiz Facist yet, another of there favourite words. As said above, GET A LIFE!

Anonymous,  February 11, 2021 at 11:30 AM  

No problem with a small hotel, if it is of the quality boutique type like the George Wright.Worryingly I don't see the word quality, bar, boutique in the plans, which looks like as said points to a asylum hotel. Also in these times when hotels are shut and indeed closing down, only hotels housing asylum seekers and quarentine hotels are making money🤔🤔

Anonymous,  February 11, 2021 at 5:08 PM  

To say that a building is "too nice for asylum seekers" can definitely be interpreted as racist. It's offensive, ignorant and unhelpful and I'm glad it's been called out. There's no place for it here, in Rotherham, or anywhere.

Anonymous,  February 12, 2021 at 10:40 AM  

At last! A bit of vision for the town centre. The George Wright has been a fantastic addition to High Street and if the old RBS building is going to converted into a hotel with a nice bar and a place to enjoy a meal, I'm all for it.

Shame about the flats though... Surely this would be better served as a location for smaller businesses to trade from, given its central location. Mind you the new ghetto being created next door might put pay to that.

Anonymous,  February 12, 2021 at 12:12 PM  

As a resident of Rotherham I would like to point out that the negative comments about asylum seekers are not reflective of the view of majority of residents. You will always get some small minded people but luckily they are in the minority.

Mr me February 12, 2021 at 9:32 PM  

You speak for the majority then do you? I don't know of one single person who as your view!

Anonymous,  February 13, 2021 at 2:55 PM  

I suggest you stay quiet you have been posting negative comments for a while i support the views of the person regarding racism you moron

Anonymous,  February 14, 2021 at 1:00 PM  

Another Rotherham lad here who disagrees with the racist comments. I'm glad to see this is being called out.

Mr me February 15, 2021 at 2:28 PM  

I'll post as many negative comments as I like, I say what I think. Ironic that that you tr to silence someone with views you don't like, yet you'll probably be the type to label people "Facist"..... Oh the irony 🤔😂😂😂

Anonymous,  February 15, 2021 at 4:22 PM  

The fact you are a racist is a guilty conscious in its self a typical clown every time a project is mentioned on this website idiots like you mention Asian men and asylum seekers get your facts right it is not a website to post such comments and people like you enjoy posting rubbish bme communities look at this website as well Britain has failed in its efforts to tackle racism and it shows 🙄 the fact you call your self Mr me is a fitting tribute to your lack of empathy and racist behaviour grow up you clown

Mr me February 15, 2021 at 6:41 PM  

It's not a website to push your leftist minority tripe either, totally out of touch with what general public think.As for racist, well use the slur, it doesn't work anymore!

Anonymous,  February 15, 2021 at 6:43 PM  

As said some comments back, dose seem Rothbiz as a few woke types, throwing the usual racist slur, as said above, GET A LIFE, you speak for a tiny minority

Anonymous,  February 16, 2021 at 2:37 AM  

Its not racism 🤣

Dan H February 16, 2021 at 12:34 PM  

The restaurant at the bottom of Corporation Street.
The restaurant at top of High Street.
The old carpet warehouse on Masbrough Street.
The old pub on Wellgate....

All these buildings were mysteriously set on fire not long after having new owners. The owners of these buildings all have something in common. Make of that what you like.

Anonymous,  February 16, 2021 at 2:00 PM  

Very good points well done

Anonymous,  February 16, 2021 at 8:05 PM  

I've read this site for a while to keep up to date on Rotherham business news, but have never felt the need to comment. I'm dismayed to see the abusive and hateful comments and insinuations about asylum seekers and other ethnic minorities and feel there should be more done to moderate those posting toxic views.

Anonymous,  February 17, 2021 at 11:40 AM  

Thank you for talking sense unlike the other idiots who call it freedom of speech

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