News: Demolition for vacant Rotherham shops

Demolition work has begun on a parade of council-owned shops on the edge of Rotherham town centre.

It had been expected that the cleared site will be redeveloped as housing.

Rothbiz reported last year that Rotherham Council had secured planning permission regarding the method of demolition for the vacant parade of shops on Wellgate.

The derelict properties that make up 86 - 102 Wellgate were set to be sold off by the council and were scheduled to go under the hammer with Pugh's online property auction. However, the lot was withdrawn before the auction took place.

Now a contractor has been appointed to demolish the buildings and clear the site.

Local Rotherham firm DSR Demolition Ltd has secured the £162,096 contract and the aim is to complete the work, including all substructures and foundations, by September 2026.

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Previous plans stated: "The buildings are no longer fit for purpose and deteriorating in condition. The buildings are proposed to be demolished, and future development of the site will then be considered."

Tender documents state: "The site is to be remediated of all spoil and surfacing leaving evenly graded and secured with solid hoarding security panels until future development of the site is undertaken."

In preparation for the completion of the demolition, Rotherham Council is hoping to secure planning permission for 2.5 metre PVC site hoardings for the perimeter of the 0.19 acre site.

When up for auction the lot was given the guide price of £25,000 and advertised as a redevelopment opportunity with a legal clause stating that the site will be required to be redeveloped for residential purposes only.

Clauses showed that the council would demolish all buildings and clear the site with a three year buy back option proposed so the council could reacquire the site if progress was not made.

Images: Pugh Auctions

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News: OnDemand bus service aims to reconnect Rotherham

Residents of parts of Rotherham with limited access to scheduled bus services are being targeted by a new flexible public transport service to connect them to employment, education, healthcare, and retail.

Rothbiz reported last year that South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) was looking to launch a pilot project around demand responsive transport as part of its work to address connectivity issues across the region following the Mayor’s decision to take control of the buses.

Using £0.95m from the government's Transport Innovation Fund (TIF), SYMCA has appointed technology partner Via for the pilot that will begin operating from 3 August for 12 months across parts of Doncaster and Rotherham. 

The service introduces a new way of travelling, allowing passengers to book shared bus journeys through the OnDemand app up to one week in advance or by phone, with no fixed routes or timetables. 

Designed to improve connections in areas where traditional services are limited, OnDemand will help people access jobs, education, healthcare and key destinations across the region. Unlike conventional bus routes, OnDemand uses intelligent technology to group passengers travelling in the same direction, offering a flexible, efficient and affordable service. 

Fares will start from £3 per journey, with concessions and discounts available, and the service will run Monday to Saturday between 5am and 6pm.  Importantly, the new service has been designed to complement not replace the existing public transport network, helping more people connect to buses, trams and trains across South Yorkshire.  

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South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “The People’s Network will put people first, making sure everyone in South Yorkshire can get where they need to go, when they need to get there. OnDemand in Doncaster and Rotherham brings that idea to life, with a flexible, modern service built around our everyday lives, not fixed routes or timetables. 

“Whether it’s getting to work, visiting loved ones, making an appointment or accessing education, communities in Doncaster and Rotherham will have more choice and greater control over how to travel. OnDemand is another important step towards building a public transport system that truly works for everyone – the People’s Network.” 

The Rotherham areas included in the OnDemand area are Waverley, Ulley, Morthern, Thurcroft, Brookhouse, Dinnington, Firbeck, Letwell, Todwick, Woodsetts, Thorpe Salvin and Harthill.

Users can travel within the designated operating zone. but for those travelling beyond the zone, OnDemand can connect passengers to designated interchange hubs (Dinnington, Rotherham Hospital, Rotherham town centre, Crystal Peaks) for onward travel using buses, trams or rail services.

Cllr Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, said:  “It’s great to see this pilot becoming a reality. We know that as bus services have reduced in recent decades, the impact of that has been particularly felt in more rural areas. The way that public transport operates had got to change. That’s why we wanted to prioritise this opportunity for communities to the south of our borough, complementing and enhancing existing public transport, but also offering a flexibility that traditional bus services just can’t provide. 

“So if you’re at home in Todwick or Brookhouse, for example, and you need to get to the Tanyard, Rotherham Hospital or Meadowhall and back, this service provides a new convenient way to do that. I hope that people will give it a go, and their experiences will certainly help us to shape the future of public transport in the borough.” 

OnDemand South Yorkshire website

Images: Via

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News: Development partner search for massive Rotherham greenbelt scheme

Landowners are looking for a partner to deliver a proposed 2,000 home development on former greenbelt land in Rotherham, ten years after a previous search was discussed.

The vision is to create a "well-connected 21st century garden community" at Bassingthorpe Farm.

A Bassingthorpe Farm Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was signed off by the Council's cabinet last year that provided detailed guidance to developers when preparing planning applications, to help bring forward development of the site in a way that meets the Council’s objectives.

A formal tender process is now underway with landowners, Rotherham Council and the Fitzwilliam Wentworth Estate, "seeking to identify and appoint a strategic development partner in connection with the planning, servicing, delivery and/or facilitation of the phased development of land at Bassingthorpe Farm, Rotherham."

As part of the Local Plan core strategy that was adopted in 2014, the 215 hectare area close to Rotherham town centre was controversially removed from the Green Belt and designated as a Strategic Allocation and the main location for new housing, employment and retail growth.

Around 57 hectares (26%) of the site is under Rotherham Council's ownership and the Council has been leading on the proposals for a number of years, working collaboratively with major landowner, Fitzwilliam (Wentworth) Estates (FWE), on how to bring forward the project.

The allocation was for around 2,400 new homes, a primary school, a local centre, employment land and commercial opportunities. Work has been carried out to detail just where development platforms, new roads, the school and flood preventing reservoirs could be located.

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Regarding employment uses, the framework plan shows proposed employment uses on a dedicated site to the eastern edge of the allocation area. Development here could be integrated with the existing employment area at Mangham Road and would benefit from access from Greasbrough Road. Land to the west of Carr Hill, to the north of the recycling centre is also proposed for employment uses.

Tender documents state: "The procurement in intended to identify a strategic development partner capable of:

- working collaboratively with the landowners to optimise viability, deliverability and value;
- promoting and securing a comprehensive and deliverable planning strategy;
- coordinating and/or delivering enabling and strategic infrastructure;
- facilitating phased development delivery, including potential onward parcel disposals to housebuilders or other delivery structures; and
- supporting long-term stewardship and delivery objectives."

The precise commercial and contractual structure through which the development will ultimately be delivered has not yet been determined and the council says that this may include elements of development agreement, land disposal, phased land drawdown and related agreements.

The selected strategic development partner is expected to assume substantial development, delivery, market and implementation risk associated with the project.

Back in 2016, Council Commissioners were asked to approve the appointment of a "Promotion Partner" to bring skills and funding to facilitate the delivery of the site. Other options were considerd, such as selling Council-owned sites on the open market, to direct development between the landowners. In 2018, the authority was considering utilising a "Bare Trust" to pool its land together with that of other landowners in order to progress development.

Alongside the masterplan, the Bassingthorpe site was identified to spearhead the government's historic £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme. For South Yorkshire, a indicative spend, subject to suitable bids, has been set out at £700m with Bassingthorpe Farm and Rotherham town centre sites put forward for Rotherham.

Images: RMBC / HYAS / Google Maps

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News: New NED at SBD

Rotherham-based SBD Apparel has appointed a former Olympian to the board as a Non-Executive Director.

SBD Apparel is already the global market leader in strength sports apparel, clothing and accessories worldwide. The company, which counts elite strength and fitness athletes across the world amongst its growing client base, as well as being synonymous with the World’s Strongest Man Competition, successfully opened a new manufacturing hub at Rotherham’s Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in 2022.

The move to new 100,000 sq ft premises was part of a desire to boost exports. The company now sells in markets including Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, Spain, Italy, Norway and Iceland.

Don William brings more than 35 years of experience in professional services and business advisory, having held senior partner roles at both KPMG and BDO. His expertise in strategy, governance, financial oversight and business growth will further strengthen SBD as we continue to expand internationally and invest in the future of the business.

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Simon Clegg CBE, SBD Group Chairman said: "As one of the country’s leading Retail Partners at both BDO and subsequently KPMG, Don brings immense skill sets and experience which will support the further growth of our business at this exciting time. Don’s additional sporting credentials as a former Olympic hockey player provides an empathy with high performance sport which is so central to our brand."

Don Williams, Non-Executive Director at SBD, added: "I am delighted to join the Board of SBD Group. SBD has built a world-class reputation within strength sports through innovation, quality and an unwavering commitment to athletes. The business has exciting opportunities ahead and I look forward to supporting the leadership team as it continues its growth journey."

Don is a former Great Britain and England hockey player with over 120 caps who represented GB in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

SBD Apparel website

Images: RCK

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News: Second set of Millmoor plans sees all stands and buildings demolished at Rotherham United's former home

Having secured planning approval to knock down large parts of the historic football stadium in Rotherham, the new owners of Millmoor have applied to do the same to the rest of the structures.

Rothbiz revealed in May that the Ron Hull Group planned to demolish parts of Millmoor due to it’s poor condition and the "long term lack of a viable user."

Planning approval was secured for the method of demolition at Millmoor for 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.

Now a second application looks to secure approval for the method of demolition for the rest of the Millmoor Lane covered stand, the Railway End stand and a maintenance building in the corner of the ground. All floodlighting columns, and other football associated buildings would be flattened, as would related grassed areas.

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.

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The latest plans state: "The maintenance building is a reinforce concrete frame stucture [sic] with solid brickwork infill panels, steel beams supporting the metal clad roof structure. From appearance it seems to have been constructed in the 1950- 60's. Due to the possible changing nature and use of the site this building may become surplus to requirements with regard to any proposed future use of the site.

"The covered Millmoor Lane football stand (Stand 'D') has stepped concrete ground slab with steel framed structures above with asbestos roof cladding , and is now showing signs of neglect and disrepair as a result of having not being maintained since the football clubs relocation. There is no protection from falls to the rear of the stand either.

"The Railway End (Stand ' E' ) was the away fans section where over 2,000 fans were accommodated. This end is covered and all seated. The only access being via the narrow alleyway to the rear from Millmoor Lane .This stand has a stepped concrete ground slab with steel framed structures above with asbestos roof and wall cladding , all are now showing signs of neglect and disrepair as a result of having not being maintained since the football club's relocation."

It remains to be seen what will happen to the pitch, famed for its quality in league football.

The plans add: "All the proposed buildings to be demolished will be taken down to the ground slabs. The ground slabs will be removed and the site tidied and left in a state where redevelopment will be possible. The client does intend to redevelop the site at a future date."

Despite its origins dating back to 1890, and the association with The Millers and their fans, Millmooor is not a listed building, or recognised on the South Yorkshire Local Heritage List. Owners generally have permitted development rights regarding the demolition of buildings they own but are often required to get prior approval from the local council.

Ron Hull Group website

Images: Ron Hull / Eton Construction

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