News: Plans in for another Rotherham solar farm

A planning application has been submitted for another solar farm in Rotherham - this time for 21 hectares of greenbelt land in the North of the borough.

Rothbiz reported last year on early stage plans from ILOS for a 25 MVA solar farm west of Firsby Lane between Hooton Roberts and Conisbrough.

ILOS unlock value for landowners, communities and investors by bridging the gap between inventive PV solutions and innovative financing models. BNP Paribas Asset Management Alts holds a 60% majority stake and acts as ILOS’s strategic partner and majority shareholder.

Applicants say that the average annual output of the proposed solar farm would be sufficient to power approximately 6,000 homes and reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 4,830 tonnes per annum.

They add that they consider that "the site constitutes “Grey Belt” which does not fundamentally undermine Green Belt purposes" and continue: "even if the site is not considered “Grey Belt” the proposal makes an important to the generation of renewable energy and, as such, very special circumstances would apply which support the proposed development in this location."

Rotherham Counail has previously said that large parts of this site "are designated as best and most versatile agricultural land" and asked the applicants to submit in-depth consideration / justification on the visual impact and the impact on the surrounding landscape and trees as well as the impact on ecology and heritage assets. Particular concerns were raised about the potential cumulative visual impact of the solar farm along with the proposed Whitestone solar farm nearby.

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With a low-lying solar panel array, the applicants say that: "Overall, the effect on the visual amenity and visual character of the study area as a whole will be limited, and the proposals will therefore have only a minor effect on established visual components. The landscaping proposals will remain as a legacy, benefiting local landscape structure and biodiversity, when the scheme is decommissioned on completion of its operational phase."

If approved, the development would export renewable energy to the grid for a maximum of 40 years and some enhancement and mitigation measures are proposed.

Despite the issue being raised by the council, and during public consultation, applicants have not assessed any cumulative impacts, despite the proximity to the Whitestone proposals. They state that there are "no comparable solar PV schemes in the study area nor are there submitted planning applications / unimplemented consented schemes."

Whitestone Solar Farm is a proposed generating station with an estimated capacity of up to 750MW across various sites in Rotherham. It is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), which means that it is applying for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to authorise its construction, operation and decommissioning. The final decision on a DCO application will be made at the national level by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

A DCO submission is currently being assessed.

ILOS website

Images: ILOS

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News: Work starts on £30m affordable homes development in Rotherham

Great Places and Keepmoat have started work on site for 120 new affordable homes at Midland Road in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported earlier this year that planning permission had been secured for the 3.9 hectare brownfield site at Masbrough.

The development will transform a brownfield site formerly used as a bus depot into a high‑quality new residential neighbourhood, delivering much‑needed homes for social rent and supporting the regeneration of the area.

Great Places is investing £30m to transform the site into a mix of homes designed to meet a range of local housing needs, including four one-bedroom homes, 35 two-bedroom homes, 65 three-bedroom homes and 16 four-bedroom homes. All 120 homes will be available for social rent, offering long-term affordable housing for local people.

The scheme has been designed to create an attractive and welcoming place to live, with communal amenity spaces to support residents and encourage community life.

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Keepmoat is delivering the construction, with funding support from Great Places Homes England’s Strategic Partnership (SP2). The first homes are expected to be handed over in spring 2027.

Nick Gornall, Director of Growth at Great Places, said: "We’re pleased to be working in partnership with Keepmoat to bring forward 120 new affordable homes for social rent at Midland Road. This development will turn a long-vacant brownfield site close to Rotherham town centre into a high-quality new neighbourhood, helping to meet local housing need and supporting wider regeneration in the area. It also reflects our continued commitment to investing in South Yorkshire and creating more affordable homes in places where they are needed most."

Warren Thompson, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat, Yorkshire West, added: "We’re honoured to be partnering with Great Places to create much needed affordable housing options in Rotherham, whilst transforming a former bus depot into a thriving community.

"At Keepmoat, we’re committed to building more than just homes, we’re creating sustainable neighbourhoods and this partnership is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through strategic collaboration."

Great Places website

Keepmoat website

Images: Great Places

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News: Call for Sites: Rotherham Council asks landowners and developers where houses and industrial space can be built

Rotherham Council has opened a call for sites as it looks to identify sufficient land to meet development needs into the 2040s.

A Local Plan provides a long-term development strategy, setting out policies and proposals for new housing, shopping and employment, and how people travel in the area. The Local Plan is used to make planning decisions and decide planning applications.

Rotherham's existing Local Plan covers 2013 to 2028 but changes to national policy, notably concerning housebuilding targets, means that Rotherham Council has begun preparing a new Local Plan, rather than update its previous core strategy.

The call for sites, open to August 28, provides an opportunity for landowners, developers and other interested parties to promote land for consideration for inclusion in a new Local Plan.

An update to councillors explains: "This is an early-stage information-gathering exercise to identify potential sites across the borough for a wide range of land uses. It does not allocate land, confirm suitability for development, or grant planning permission. All submissions will be assessed at a later stage and further information may be requested to understand suitability, scale, deliverability and site constraints.

"All submissions including those within the Green Belt, will be subject to detailed assessment, public consultation and member consideration as part of the plan-making process.

"Green Belt land can only be released in exceptional circumstances and through the full Local Plan process, where robust evidence and clear justification are required."

A number of planning applications have been made recently relating to housing on sites allocated as "safeguarded land" in the previous local plan. The 2018 local plan set out that they may be needed in the future and taken out of the greenbelt after the end of the plan period in 2028.

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The council has previously said that, in policy terms, it is no longer able to demonstrate a Five-Year Land Supply given the changes at a national level that have increased housing targets. The target for new house building per annum in Rotherham has increased from circa 560 dpa (Dwellings Per Annum) to 1,111 dpa.

The call for sites is being undertaken in advance of the formal plan-making stages, which are expected to commence later in 2026. There will be three stages of public consultation during the formal 30-month plan-making period. Public feedback on site options and the emerging strategy is currently anticipated at the second consultation stage in mid-2027.

The update adds: "The Council is seeking a broad range of potential sites, including housing, employment and commercial uses, retail and leisure, environmental uses, infrastructure and community facilities, renewable energy, waste management and minerals.

"Sites may be submitted by any interested party, including landowners, developers, public bodies and members of the public. Previously promoted sites must be re-submitted to ensure the Council holds current and consistent information.

"Residential sites should generally be at least 0.25 hectares or capable of delivering five or more dwellings, although some smaller specialist housing opportunities may also be relevant.

"Employment, commercial and retail sites should generally be capable of delivering 500 square metres or more of floorspace."

Rotherham Council website

Images: Google Maps

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News: Updated Dinnington regeneration plans approved

Updated plans for the long awaited multimillion pound regeneration scheme in a Rotherham town have been approved.

Rothbiz reported in March on the submission of updated plans for Dinnington at the sime time as work on site began with the demolition of burnt-out buildings.

Led by Rotherham Council, the revamp of Dinnington market, originally approved in 2024, includes clearing derelict buildings, creating a new town square, and developing purpose-built commercial units to diversify the local offer.

The project, backed by £11m in Government funding, aims to improve the outdoor market, pedestrian routes, and public spaces - creating a healthier, safer, and more sustainable environment for residents, visitors, and businesses.

Some £2.2m in capital funding was spent on the £12m scheme in the 2025/26 financial year, council accounts show.

In the original plans, commercial units, the indoor market, a burnt-out building, the Dinnington Colliery Band building, and the fixed outdoor market stalls were proposed for demolition.

The latest plans are for the demolition of the existing retail units at 46-56 Laughton Road and the proposed replacement being a two storey building consisting of six retail units.

After detailed surveys revealed the buildings were in a worse condition than anticipated, the Council now intends to fully demolish and rebuild the buildings rather than refurbish them to deliver a safer, higher‑quality and future‑proofed space for businesses that will also better meet the needs of the community.

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The design matches the architectural style of the adjoining previously approved scheme and will considerably improve the character of the area. The planned scheme will now provide two, two storey pitched roof buildings fronting Laughton Road on either side of a new public square where the market will take place, surrounded by commercial units.

The latest additions see 4,300 sq ft of ageing commercial space replaced by new build commercial space totalling 4,900 sq ft. 

A report from planners approving the scheme without going to the planning board reads: "The level of intervention required to refurbish the buildings was deemed extensive and costly, leading to the conclusion that demolition and replacement would provide a more viable and beneficial outcome

"As a result, the development evolved into a proposal for a purpose-built replacement that closely aligns with the approved masterplan while improving quality, safety, and functionality. The new scheme maintains the existing footprint, scale, servicing arrangements, and public realm strategy, ensuring consistency within the wider regeneration project while introducing modern retail units that meet current building regulations.

"The design incorporates enhanced accessibility, stronger security measures, improved environmental performance, and upgraded materials to create a cohesive and sustainable high street environment. This approach ensures the development not only integrates with the surrounding context but also delivers long-term benefits for the town centre, businesses, and the local community."

In February, Rotherham Council said that a tender process to appoint a main contractor would begin "shortly", with an expectation that work would begin on site in the summer.

Images: RMBC

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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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