News: 141 houses planned for former Rotherham college site
A national housebuilder has been appointed to bring forward a large development on part of a former college campus in Rotherham.
In 2020, RNN Group reorganised its post-16 education provision, and whilst much of the former Dinnington Campus remains in educational use by Elements Academy and Newman School, a large part of the site became surplus to requirements.
Following discussions with other potential public sector users and a period of marketing, Homes by honey were identified as preferred developer for the site on Doe Quarry Lane following an open market disposal process.
At approximately 4.69 hectares, the site comprises two redundant teaching buildings, associated hardstanding and former agricultural training land characterised by open grassland, which is subdivided into a series of former training paddocks.
The developer has now submitted a planning application for 141 dwellings, together with associated access, landscaping, public open space and supporting infrastructure.
The site, with a net developable area of approximately 3.87 hectares, is considered a part-brownfield site. In Rotherham's Local Plan, it was designated for an Education Community Facility.
Plans show that existing access is currently obtained through the campus; however, the proposed development will be served by a new dedicated vehicular access directly from Doe Quarry Lane at the Manor Road / Laughton Road end.
A new priority-controlled T-junction onto Doe Quarry Lane is proposed supported by the demolition of the existing former teaching accommodation and associated structures located within the southern part of the site.
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The plans are for 141 houses with a range of sizes, from 2-bed semi-detached properties to 5-bed detached dwellings, with a variety of house types proposed. 25% of the total houses are set to be classed as affordable housing - 35, 2-bed houses.
However, the unused buildings on site will also mean that the development should qualify for Vacant Building Credit (VBC) which can be used to reduce the affordable housing contributions required when redeveloping brownfield sites with empty buildings.
The majority of dwellings are two storeys in height, with a limited number of 2.5-storey and three-storey dwellings, reflecting the prevailing scale and character of the surrounding residential areas.
The plans, drawn up by consultants, Nineteen47, state: "The educational use formerly undertaken on the Site has ceased and the associated buildings have remained vacant for a considerable period following the relocation and consolidation of educational operations elsewhere within the RNN Group estate.
"The Site no longer performs its allocated educational function and there is no reasonable prospect that the former use will recommence. The redevelopment of the Site therefore represents an opportunity to secure the beneficial re-use of a vacant and underutilised site within a sustainable settlement, whilst avoiding the continued deterioration of redundant buildings and land."
Applicants also say that the highly sustainable site is "exceptionally well located in relation to local facilities and services" and add that: "The submitted assessments demonstrate that safe and suitable access can be achieved, that the local highway network has capacity to accommodate development-generated traffic and that opportunities exist to encourage sustainable travel choices amongst future residents."
The plans conclude: "The proposal will transform the Site into a high-quality residential neighbourhood delivering significant economic, social and environmental benefits. These include much-needed housing delivery, a meaningful contribution towards addressing the Council's housing land supply shortfall, investment in the local economy, support for local services and businesses, new public open space, biodiversity enhancements, landscape improvements, green infrastructure and associated supporting infrastructure."
Honey launched in 2022 and is backed by private equity firm Alchemy Partners. It has previously brought forward sites in Rotherham at Waverley and Maltby. Early stage plans have also emerged for a site at Harley.
Homes by honey website
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In 2020, RNN Group reorganised its post-16 education provision, and whilst much of the former Dinnington Campus remains in educational use by Elements Academy and Newman School, a large part of the site became surplus to requirements.
Following discussions with other potential public sector users and a period of marketing, Homes by honey were identified as preferred developer for the site on Doe Quarry Lane following an open market disposal process.
At approximately 4.69 hectares, the site comprises two redundant teaching buildings, associated hardstanding and former agricultural training land characterised by open grassland, which is subdivided into a series of former training paddocks.
The developer has now submitted a planning application for 141 dwellings, together with associated access, landscaping, public open space and supporting infrastructure.
The site, with a net developable area of approximately 3.87 hectares, is considered a part-brownfield site. In Rotherham's Local Plan, it was designated for an Education Community Facility.
Plans show that existing access is currently obtained through the campus; however, the proposed development will be served by a new dedicated vehicular access directly from Doe Quarry Lane at the Manor Road / Laughton Road end.
A new priority-controlled T-junction onto Doe Quarry Lane is proposed supported by the demolition of the existing former teaching accommodation and associated structures located within the southern part of the site.
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The plans are for 141 houses with a range of sizes, from 2-bed semi-detached properties to 5-bed detached dwellings, with a variety of house types proposed. 25% of the total houses are set to be classed as affordable housing - 35, 2-bed houses.
However, the unused buildings on site will also mean that the development should qualify for Vacant Building Credit (VBC) which can be used to reduce the affordable housing contributions required when redeveloping brownfield sites with empty buildings.
The majority of dwellings are two storeys in height, with a limited number of 2.5-storey and three-storey dwellings, reflecting the prevailing scale and character of the surrounding residential areas.
The plans, drawn up by consultants, Nineteen47, state: "The educational use formerly undertaken on the Site has ceased and the associated buildings have remained vacant for a considerable period following the relocation and consolidation of educational operations elsewhere within the RNN Group estate.
"The Site no longer performs its allocated educational function and there is no reasonable prospect that the former use will recommence. The redevelopment of the Site therefore represents an opportunity to secure the beneficial re-use of a vacant and underutilised site within a sustainable settlement, whilst avoiding the continued deterioration of redundant buildings and land."
The plans conclude: "The proposal will transform the Site into a high-quality residential neighbourhood delivering significant economic, social and environmental benefits. These include much-needed housing delivery, a meaningful contribution towards addressing the Council's housing land supply shortfall, investment in the local economy, support for local services and businesses, new public open space, biodiversity enhancements, landscape improvements, green infrastructure and associated supporting infrastructure."
Honey launched in 2022 and is backed by private equity firm Alchemy Partners. It has previously brought forward sites in Rotherham at Waverley and Maltby. Early stage plans have also emerged for a site at Harley.
Homes by honey website
Images:
