News: Christmas sale at Fishing Republic

Rotherham-based Fishing Republic, one of the largest retailers of fishing tackle in the UK, has been bought out of administration, saving 111 jobs.

The Eastwood company that floated on the AIM stock exchange in 2015 raised millions to help carry out its expansion plans. However, turnaround plans were required during 2017 to tackle "a significant deterioration in trading."

After certain major shareholders said that they were no longer willing to provide further short-term financial assistance, shares were suspended and the group's future options were being assessed.

Leonard Curtis Business Rescue & Recovery has confirmed that Andrew Poxon and Julien Irving – who were appointed as Joint Administrators this week - have completed the sale of the company to an unconnected third party.

No further details have been announced but the recovery firmed added that deal has preserved the jobs of all 111 employees across the retailer's 14-strong UK store network.

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Growth plans had been based on snapping up smaller competitors, opening destination stores and boosting online sales.

Reporting its interim results for the six months ended June 30 2018, the company said that it was in a year of transition and that financial results "reflect the challenging period, including the very difficult trading backdrop."

Revenues of £3.4m for the period, down from £4.1m in the same period of 2017, meant that Fishing Republic posted a loss before exceptional items, interest and taxation, depreciation and amortisation of £1.4m, compared to breaking even in the same period last year.

Shares in the firm were suspended in October and it looks likely that they will not return to the stock exchange.

Fishing Republic was established in Rotherham by Steve Gross, an accomplished angler who represented England in competition, when he was 13 years old, selling fishing flies and fly tying materials to fishing tackle wholesalers.

In 1988 the business moved into rented premises in Mexborough and opened its first retail outlet and mail order operation in 1999. New stores and continued expansion saw the business move to a large warehouse in Rotherham in 2005.

Fishing Republic website

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News: Apprentices turn Santa’s little helpers for kids’ Christmas appeal

The AMRC Training Centre is putting smiles on children's faces this festive season with a special appeal to make sure those less fortunate have a present to open on Christmas Day.

The Rotherham-based training centre, part of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), has spearheaded a local Christmas Gift Appeal by collecting unwrapped toys and gifts for babies, children and teenagers who might not otherwise receive a present.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), the focus is on students aged from 16 upwards, taken on paid apprenticeships. Apprentices have opportunities to progress on to postgraduate courses, doctorates and MBA levels. Sponsoring companies range from global leaders such as Rolls-Royce and Tata Steel to local high-tech supply-chain companies.

Apprentices kick-started the kind-hearted campaign by delivering leaflets to homes on the Waverley estate, asking residents to lend their support to the appeal by donating new, unwrapped and boxed gifts for distribution by social workers to children's centres and those families most in need.

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The appeal was organised by "good deed fairy" Chloe Fairman, a teaching and learning mentor at the AMRC Training Centre, who says apprentices don't just learn how to be great engineers, they learn how to be good citizens with the skills and confidence to contribute to their workplace and wider community.

"We're teaching them that kindness matters just as much as your qualification," Chloe said. "The apprentices were out and about delivering our gift appeal leaflets and posters to our neighbouring estates and businesses. They will also be helping to deliver the gifts directly to social care so that they can experience first-hand how the presents will benefit the young people of Rotherham this Christmas."

Chloe decided to set up the appeal in 2017 having spent 14 years working in a pastoral role in education with some of Rotherham's poorest young people and their families.

"I understand the impact that Christmas can have on the mental health of a young person if things aren't quite right at home. There is such pressure to "fit in" as a young person today and this, in turn, puts pressure on parents who may not have the funds to do it.

"Christmas is a time that can amplify all the issues that poverty can bring, and if even one tiny gift can make one family smile, then we've done our job."

AMRC Training Centre website

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News: Views sought on sex establishments rules

Council leaders are seeking residents' views around where would or would not be an appropriate place for sex establishments like strip or lap dancing clubs to be allowed in Rotherham.

At the current time any applications are judged under the policy for bars and nightclubs. Now Rotherham Council is proposing a specific policy covering sex establishments.

A new policy could mean applications being refused in certain locations, including near schools, places of worship, women's refuges, play areas and family leisure facilities like theatres.

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At the same time the Council wants to introduce regulations to ensure those working in such premises are treated fairly. Workers in sex-establishments across the country are often classed as self-employed and therefore denied the benefits of being an employee, but without the freedom of self-employment.

There are currently no regulations to stop those running sex establishments imposing fines on their workers, even for minor infringements.

Cllr. Emma Hoddinott, cabinet member for Waste, Roads and Community Safety at Rotherham Council, said: "We need to look again at this particular industry in Rotherham.

"It is time we reviewed the licensing around sex establishments, ensuring we have the best interests of our communities at heart when applications are heard. This is why we want to seek residents' views."

The consultation will run until February 20 2019.

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News: New phase of urgent repairs at Wentworth Woodhouse

Experts are applying for the listed building consent needed to carry out the next phase of much-needed repair works to Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham.

Historic England is overseeing spending of a £7.6m grant funding for emergency repairs through its repair grants for heritage at risk. They tie to the recently unveiled masterplan for the historic Grade I listed mansion which aims to create a world-class visitor attraction with local heritage and culture exhibitions and a focus firmly on the restoration task.

The latest plans will allow for the second phase of conservation repairs to the mansion house. Earlier phases included the replacement, alterations and repairs to sections of roof.

Drawn up by Donald Insall Associates, the plans show that work is required to the grand staircase where a statue lightwell is described as "troublesome in that it collects rainwater." Roof coverings on the wing that includes the Whistlejacket and Van Dyke rooms also need repairing and insulation will be added.

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Guttering on the central area of the house that could have caused timber decay and "significant decay" in the Marble Saloon, is set to be replaced. A new steel structure is also proposed to provide support to the stone flags on the portico.

A disabled platform lift is proposed to be installed to afford essential disabled access to the West Front.

The plans state: "The proposals in this application have been designed to secure the long term protection of this heritage asset, described as being in a critical state of decay – and on the Heritage at Risk Register.

"Design value of the East Front façade and the East Front state rooms are not harmed therefore these principle areas of high significance are not affected.

"Harm to the overall significance of the heritage asset as a result of the impact of this conservation project is considered less than substantial harm. Whereby doing nothing will lead to substantial harm through decay and eventual loss of the historic fabric."

The masterplan from the preservation trust which owns the house will need £150m to realise. For the main house, the future uses will include the main visitor attraction, commercial units, catering and luxury holiday accommodation.

Cafés, fine dining, holiday lets, self-contained apartments, commercial units, administrative space, visitor facilities, events space suitable for weddings and retail units all feature in the plans.

Wentworth Woodhouse website

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News: Rotherham bank plans updated

The owners of a former Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) branch in a Rotherham suburb want to be able to turn it into a hot food takeaway.

Earlier this year the taxpayer-backed banking group decided that NatWest should become its primary customer facing brand in England and Wales and Royal Bank of Scotland its core brand in Scotland.

The decision meant that the Rotherham town centre branch would close in November and the Wickersley branch in August.

Now plans have been submitted for a change of use that would enable the vacant two-storey, 1,700 sq ft unit on The Tanyard to be subdivided into two smaller units, with one a takeaway under A5 planning use.

It follows on from earlier approved plans that enable the unit to be used for A3 use as a restaurant.

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Planning consultants, Bradley Stankler Planning, have submitted the plans on behalf of Bischi (Properties) Limited. The agents said: "The combined unit has been marketed for A2 use (with potential A3 use) for some seven months and also specifically for A3 use following the grant of consent .. in October, with no interest expressed for the either the existing A2 use in or A3 use.

"On this basis, this current application seeks the subdivision of the premises, to a retained A2 use and an A5 use. The marketing agents are of the opinion that two smaller units and proposed uses will be much more attractive to the market in current and foreseeable trading circumstances."

Wickersley Parish Council has objected to the plans highlighting the Council policy on takeaways on primary shopping frontages. They added that during a recent resident consultation on the Wickersley Neighbourhood Plan a large number of respondents said they considered there were already too many hot food takeaways in Wickersley.

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QFM Group, the Sheffield-based developer and operator of a number of fast food franchises, recently secured planning permission to develop the nearby building formerly used by second-hand store, TiroBaggi and Edward Healy & Sons, a provider of shoe repair materials.

The proposals involve separating the ground floor to create two units, one A1 retail unit, and one A3 restaurant/café. The proposed first and second storey extension would contain four, two bedroom apartments.

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News: NIKKEN expand Rotherham innovation centre

Expanding engineering firm, NIKKEN Kosakusho Europe has recently agreed practical completion on the expansion of its flagship Innovation Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

With European headquarters on the Barbot Hall Industrial Estate in Rotherham, Nikken enjoys a global dominance of the rotary table technology market and supply manufacturers operating in the aerospace, defence, motorsport, automotive and medical sectors.

In 2015 the company confirmed an investment of around £7m in new facilities on the AMP, creating its first production base outside Japan as part of a move to get closer to its customers.

Now the second phase is complete and will house a number of different elements to further the expansion of the European business. These include a dedicated resource for the provision of services associated with the technical partnership forged earlier this year between NIKKEN and Boeing, supporting the requirements of their first European production facility.

These resources incorporate a dedicated tool room and area for process optimisation, ensuring that the components produced by Boeing Sheffield are done so in the most efficient manner. Part of this includes a turnkey presetting and balancing operation that will streamline the entire process and provide Boeing with all their requirements.

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Alongside this, a state-of-the-art laboratory has been installed for the design and testing of the latest Industry 4.0 developments, including software development and PCB design & assembly for the next generation of connected products. These industry-leading solutions enable the remote monitoring and intervention of industrial equipment to streamline processes and increase uptime.

There will also be a product testing area incorporated in to the facilities which will enable NIKKEN research engineers to benchmark and develop new solutions and space will be made available to work alongside customers on innovation - enabling product development without impacting on customers' production capacity.

Nikken now has 19,000 sq ft across the two phases.

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Tony Bowkett, CEO and president of NIKKEN Europe, said: "At NIKKEN we are continually developing our technologies, advanced solutions and services. It's exciting times in our company's history and evolution.

"The phase 2 expansion of our research and development activities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park will create further high value career opportunities for local talented engineers.

"The daily mission of our resident engineers, in collaboration with local industrial and technical partners and our colleagues in Japan, is "to improve processes and develop ground-breaking solutions to be applied by our global customer base in their facilities in currently over 75 countries around the world" - engineered here in our NIKKEN Innovation Centre Europe - NICe."

This year, Nikken is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its Japanese parent company, Nikken Kosakusho Works Ltd. that was created in 1958. The European arm was incorporated in 1989 and so will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next year.

Nikken website

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News: New Rotherham business centre detailed

Having secured external funding, Rotherham Council has outlined the details for its latest purpose built business hub which could help create 150 jobs.

Rothbiz reported in October that the authority had secured £1.6m to create "move on" space alongside the Century Business Centre in Manvers.

The original centre, owned and managed by Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RiDO), the regeneration arm of Rotherham Council, was originally developed to help local people in the Manvers area of the Dearne Valley to set up their own businesses following the decline of traditional industries. Since opening in 2000 it has helped over 300 businesses.

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The next phase on vacant land at Dearne Lane is set to have floorspace of 26,000 sq ft over two floors and include 35 offices, 14 workshops and two laboratories.

Planning documents, drawn up by archtiects, Race Cottom, state: "The proposed building will comprise of offices, workshops and laboratories, following similar arrangements to the existing business centres as a "tried and tested" model. Meeting rooms, networking spaces and tea points are also provided in addition to rentable work spaces with parking provided on-site."

If approved, the proposals are set to create opportunities for 150 new jobs.

The £3.2m project is backed by the Sheffield city region's (SCR's) Local Growth Fund (LGF). The planning application is on behalf of Clugston Construction indicating that the Scunthorpe firm, a named contractor on the YORBuild framework, will build the new business hub.

RiDO business centre website

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News: Deal done for full fibre broadband

Superfast South Yorkshire (SFSY) has confirmed that it is working with Openreach on a £10m project which aims to make fibre broadband available to as close to 100% coverage as technically possible.

SFSY is the partnership between the authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield and BT, which secured £28m to improve the region's access to superfast broadband.

Phase 2 is targeting another 9,000 homes, providing "ultrafast" connections. New speeds of up to a Gigabit (1Gbps) will be available, 24 times faster than the UK average of 46Mbps. Areas to be connected first include New Lodge in Barnsley, Bessacarr in Doncaster, Sunnyside in Rotherham, and High Green in Sheffield.

SFSY said this week that 98% of Rotherham now has access to fibre broadband.

The project is part of the Government's BDUK initiative which is based on a gap funded subsidy approach, where the private sector invests alongside a public subsidy to provide broadband to areas where there is not otherwise a viable commercial market.

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Matt Gladstone, executive director for place at Barnsley Council and SFSY project sponsor, said: "This is fantastic news for South Yorkshire and confirms our commitment to providing residents and businesses with the opportunity to access the latest technology.

"A lot of fantastic work has already taken place to make high-speed fibre broadband available to thousands of homes and businesses, many for the first time. But we're not finished yet. This next phase will connect people living in areas across the region that don't yet have access to fibre networks. Once installed full fibre will not only provide ultrafast speeds but will also future-proof the network for years to come."

Reccomended reading: Is Starlink the Right Choice for You in Rotherham?

Robert Thorburn, partnership director in the North for Openreach, added: "We are delighted to have been chosen to take our partnership in South Yorkshire even further. Making sure that homes and businesses across the region have the connectivity they require is vital for the long-term prosperity and economic health of an area. This second phase of work means that thousands of local homes and businesses will soon have access to some of the fastest broadband speeds in the UK."

With detailed planning and survey work already underway the first full fibre connections will be live for 2020. Over 9,000 properties will be fully connected by spring 2021.

SFSY website

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News: £1.5m funding boost for Gulliver's Valley

£1.5m of funding via the Sheffield city region (SCR) has been agreed to support the first phase of the Gulliver's Valley project in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported in October that the cash was being set aside to support the £37m development where work has recently got underway on land alongside Rother Valley Country Park.

A year round destination aimed at 2 - 13 year olds is being created which includes a theme park hub, woodland adventure centre, ecology and education centre, lodges, hotels and a holiday village.

The funding boost will help the family firm bring forward further accommodation into the first phase and create a new junction from the A618.

A £400,000 grant from the Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Fund (SCRIF), and a £1.1m loan, has been approved by the SCR's Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA).

The business case outlines that the funding will support the £7.5m first phase and 93 new jobs. It would enable Gulliver's to invest £6m and accelerate the creation of accommodation on the site. Plans are already in.

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Julie Dalton from Gullivers Fun said: "This year we celebrated our 40th year in business, operating family theme park resorts in Matlock, Warrington and Milton Keynes. We are still family owned and our new site at Rother Valley will bring together all the best bits of all our other resorts, including many new and exciting attractions.

"As a family we are very excited to be developing in the Sheffield city region. This funding will allow us to bring forward a number of elements of the resort that would have not been built until later phases, creating a more exciting resort for our guests to experience and more jobs for local residents."

Dan Jarvis, mayor of the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority, added: "With a growing number of major visitor attractions we must now do more to promote them. That's why I set up a meeting for local authorities, the Mayoral Combined Authority and Welcome to Yorkshire last month, to explore how we can come together across the region to sell our exceptional offer across the North, the UK and internationally."

Gulliver's Valley website

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News: Enterprising Rotherham-based videographer on a roll

A Rotherham-based videographer is setting his sights on a record-breaking first year after his business was given an unexpected boost by one of the best-known names in the rock industry.

Stuart Turner launched LensGo in the spring after deciding to turn down the chance to build a lucrative career working for a large media agency in favour of using his skills to support South Yorkshire's business community, with the long-term aim of creating new skilled jobs within Rotherham's growing creative industries sector.

Just a week after opening the doors of his new business, Stuart's services were snapped up by Def Leppard who commissioned his business to capture a special concert at the Royal Albert Hall, organised to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Working closely with business advisor Julia Millea from the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Launchpad programme, Stuart began formulating his business ideas and putting his plans into practice. At the same time, Stuart attended workshops exploring how to market his business, as well as learning how he could harness new business opportunities through social media.

With the help and support Stuart received from the Launchpad programme he has successfully secured work with a growing number of businesses throughout the UK, as well as supporting a number of organisations in the SCR including, Sheffield City Council, Rotherham United Community Trust, Gulliver's, Rotherham Hospice, the Doncaster Knights and has even worked with actor Brian Blessed.

Stuart was also on hand to capture Def Leppard's latest homecoming gig at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield this past week.

Having spent more than a decade working as a professional videographer, Stuart is no stranger to capturing life through a lens, and after building a workforce of camera operators, editors and designers and securing new contracts throughout the UK, LensGo was named as one of South Yorkshire's most promising new business start-ups at the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber Business Awards.

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Stuart Turner, Founder of LensGo (pictured), said: "Video is fast becoming one of the best tools to help businesses engage with their customers and audiences and I felt there was a clear gap in the market for our services. I was keen to base my business in Rotherham to help create new skilled jobs within the creative industries sector and since launching the business we've successfully built a local, regional and national client base, resulting in new jobs being created within the local economy.

"Having spent most of my career working as a professional videographer, I knew my industry well and working with the Launchpad programme helped to give my business direction – I was conscious that when it comes to video there's quite a large market for the services but I didn't want to be all things to all people.

"The workshops provided an invaluable opportunity to learn the latest business tools and techniques whilst the one-to-one sessions enabled me to focus on developing my business model and strategy. Since completing the training, I've put the lessons into practice, helping me to attract new clients as well as developing the company's social media profile."

Julia Millea, business advisor at SCR Launchpad, added: "Stuart has come a very long way in a short space of time. Working as a freelancer for a number of years, Stuart benefitted from an insight into what is needed to run a business, but there can be very different challenges associated with running your own company.

"A key element of the Launchpad programme is encouraging entrepreneurs to understand the importance of business planning, enabling the business to grow and develop. Stuart has gained a lot from the workshops and one-to-one planning sessions and although he is perhaps more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it, gaining recognition as a finalist at the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber Business Awards is a well-deserved reward for his efforts over the past few months."

LensGo website
SCR Launchpad website

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News: Sports Direct planning new Rotherham gym

British retailing group, Sports Direct, is working out plans to fit a new gym into Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported in August that plans had been submitted to create a new mezzanine level within the existing Matalan unit. New plans now show that the 40,000 sq ft of space is not set to be used just as retail, but also for a new gym.

A subsequent application seeks to the change of use of the unit from Use Class A1 (retail) to include both Use Class A1 (retail) and use class D2 (leisure) to enable no more than 21,500 sq ft of the unit to be used as a gym.

Planning documents state: "It is proposed that the unit will be occupied by an existing retailer on Parkgate Shopping (Sports Direct), who are proposing to trade the gym element of their offer as Everlast (one of their brands) from part of the unit."

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Everlast-branded fitness gyms are fully equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and resistance-training equipment, along with dedicated areas for fitness classes. With 13 Everlast gyms, the firm also operates 24 gyms under its Sports Direct Fitness fascia.

Membership starts at £5 per month.

Planning consultants believe that the proposals would not give rise to material adverse harm, let alone "significant adverse harm" on Rotherham town centre or Parkgate district centre and add that current Rotherham gyms are located within out of centre locations and as such the impact on these facilities is not relevant to national planning impact tests.

A sequential test is also included but consultants have discounted a number of sites in and on the edge of Rotherham town centre that are preferable in planning terms.

Sequential tests ensure that development is located in the most sustainable location first (usually in town centres), before other, less sustainable locations are chosen.

Discounted sites include Forge Island, the former Primark store and the former Guest & Chrimes site.

Everlast website

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News: Off the rails - usage down in Rotherham

2017 saw the lowest level of usage at Rotherham Central station in nearly ten years.

Undergoing a £10.4m redevelopment and re-opening in 2012, data published by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) shows that the estimated number of users has dropped to 604,032 in 2017-18. A near 100,000 reduction from the high of 718,082 seen in 2014-15.

Rotherham Central Station opened in 1987 and is located on a branch line constructed to serve the new station. Previously Rotherham's main railway station was located in Masbrough, and was served by mainline railway services. However, Rotherham Central was considered a more convenient location due to its proximity to the town centre.

Following the redevelopment, work has continued to introduce new platforms and facilities for the £100m+ tram-train project that connects Sheffield, Meadowhall, Rotherham and Parkgate.

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2017 saw Network Rail demolish and install a new bridge at Rotherham Central as the previous one did not have enough room for the overhead lines which power the innovative tram-train vehicles.

College Road closed for 18 weeks to Friday August 18. A temporary footbridge was installed to allow pedestrians to access the town centre from Masbrough.

The figures cover the period between April 1 2017 and March 31 2018 and the estimates of station usage consist of the total numbers of people travelling from or to the station.

In 2008-09, usage was an estimated 650,118 which rose steadily to 711,724 in 2012-13. 2014-15 saw a high of 718,082 but this declined to 689,540 in 15-16 and 690,734 in 16-17.

Usage at Swinton, also in Rotherham has remained between 390,000 and 400,000 over the last four years.

A much delayed project, tram trains began servicing Rotherham Central in October and should boost usage. The SYPTE, Northern Rail and Network Rail have been working together on the pilot project which was first announced in 2009. Securing Government funding, the aim of the project is to help determine whether tram-trains can run in other parts of the country.

Three services operate an hour, travelling on the Supertram network between Sheffield Cathedral and Meadowhall South and utilise a new section of track at Tinlsey, which links the tram line to the rail line. Vehicles use the national rail network between Tinsley and Rotherham Parkgate via Rotherham Central station, filling in the gaps in the Northern Rail service.

Images: AHR Global

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News: Council concerns over Don Valley development

Rotherham Council is planning to raise an objection with redevelopment plans for an area near Meadowhall in Sheffield with concerns over the impact on the proposed Forge Island scheme in Rotherham town centre.

British Land has updated its plans for the River Don District (RDD) on three underused adjoining plots of land in Sheffield's Lower Don Valley, to the south of Meadowhall.

The 17.07 ha site was previously identified for an office-led, mixed-use scheme, but following the success of the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham and the Sheffield Business Park in Sheffield, new elements linked to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID) are being put forward.

The AMID vision is based on a 2,000-acre centre of excellence for innovation-led research and industrial collaboration, where industry and academia are co-located in a new form of business park.

The new RDD application includes manufacturing and research units for major occupiers and premises for growing and new start-up companies.

In addition, the application includes hotel floorspace as well as supporting retail, food and beverage, and leisure uses. It is these elements that are causing concerns for Rotherham Council, who have secured the land and have a preferred development partner for a leisure-led regeneration scheme on Forge Island.

A response from Rotherham Council to the planning application for the River Don District, reads: "Further assessment should be carried out as part of the Sequential and Impact Tests to discount and assess the impact of the development on Forge Island in terms of the proposed retail and leisure uses.

"If this assessment is not carried out RMBC wish to formally object on the grounds that insufficient information exists to fully assess the impact of development on Forge Island."

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Sequential tests ensure that development is located in the most sustainable location first (usually in town centres), before other, less sustainable locations are chosen.

The planning documents state that during pre-application discussions it was suggested that Forge Island, Rotherham should be assessed as a sequential alternative but it was not.

Quad Consultants are working on the scheme and said: "It is important to note that this site [Forge Island] is located outside the agreed catchment for the retail element of scheme, and at the very edge (largely outside) of the catchment for the proposed leisure uses.

"In this context, we do not believe that it is appropriate to consider this site as a sequential alternative location to accommodate the proposed development. Locating the proposal at the Forge Island site would serve an entirely different catchment to that intended to be served by the application proposal."

The planning consultants have questioned the need to apply the sequential test. They expect that any retail and food and beverage uses in the scheme would be locally focused, and service the future employees on the site, which could be up to 4,800.

On impact, the plans add: "In terms of any impact on future investment in Rotherham, again this will not be significant adverse. Rotherham, is located well beyond the agreed catchment for the retail element of the proposal and at the periphery (and just beyond) the wider catchment agreed for the leisure element.

"Consequently, the delivery of localised facilities to meet the needs of employees on the site, as well as to serve the immediate catchment, there will be no impact on Rotherham."

Rotherham Council objected to plans for a 330,000 sq ft Leisure Hall development at Meadowhall, stating that it would have a "significant adverse impact upon the vitality and viability of Rotherham town centre." Sheffield City Council's planning board approved the plans last year.

River Don District website

Images: British Land

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News: Bank boost for next generation of engineers

The next generation of advanced engineers have started at the AMRC Training Centre in Rotherham under a scheme from the leading merchant banking group, Close Brothers.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, The AMRC Training Centre forms part of the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) group and provides training in the practical and academic skills that manufacturing companies need to compete globally, from apprenticeship through to doctorate and MBA level.

In what is a banking first, the programme is in its fourth year and Close Brothers is supporting a further 20 apprentices in the Sheffield city region (SCR). Employers will are given financial help as part of the company's long established commitment to supporting SMEs who might otherwise not be able to afford to take on an apprentice.

Nikki Jones, director of the AMRC Training Centre, said: "The recruitment of ambitious and fully-trained apprentices that can hit the ground running is definitely the right way to go - not only to address the glaring skills shortage threatening the UK engineering and manufacturing industries but to create a diverse and dynamic workforce brimming with fresh talent and new ideas."

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Close Brothers is contributing 50% of the wages of the apprentices in the first year and 25% in the second year, as well as covering all training costs.

Adrian Sainsbury, managing director of Close Brothers banking division, said: "Apprenticeships are an excellent way for UK SMEs to fill skills gaps, develop their future workforce and improve their long-term growth prospects. We believe the scheme is making a genuine difference to the participating SMEs which is why we have been working with the AMRC to support small businesses for the last three years and are delighted to be continuing our partnership this year."

James Selka, CEO of the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), added: "At the MTA we see high quality apprenticeships as a hugely important talent pipeline for our industry. We are particularly keen to help smaller companies take them on and we fund some within our membership to do just that. The support of Close and great facilities at the AMRC make taking apprentices on more affordable and effective for companies that might otherwise not be able to."

AMRC Training Centre website
Close Brothers website

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News: Strong interest in Rotherham scheme from cinema operators

Development partner, Muse is projecting confidence in landing a cinema operator for the Forge Island redevelopment in Rotherham town centre.

Muse Developments was chosen as the Council's preferred partner with a proposal that includes a cinema, food and drink outlets and a hotel. The leisure facilities will be set within an attractive public space and will include a new pedestrian bridge connecting to the rest of the town centre.

Discussion over legal agreements continue with Rothbiz reporting on the Council's proposal to take on a head lease of the completed development over a fixed term.

Dan Needham, development director at Muse Developments, gave an update on the progress being made at a recent meeting of the Rotherham Pioneers - the exclusive group for Rotherham businesses who want to promote the town, celebrate all that is good, and grow the Rotherham business community.

The first phase is expected to be a £35m project at current prices with a cinema seen as a key anchor tenant.

Needham explained: "Having already gone out to the market, the demand is there for up to 11 screens. Four out of eight cinema operators have a demand for Rotherham and we are in talks with two of them. We expect to enter discussions on heads of terms next year and potentially announce a cinema operator for Forge Island in March."

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It is getting on for 30 years since Rotherham had a cinema. Cannon, the last town centre cinema, closed in 1990.

The practical completion of the cinema and the first two food and beverage units is pencilled in for October 2020.

The Council's agreement with Muse will include a requirement that the cinema, hotel and two of the restaurant units will be pre-let before the head lease is signed. The initial lease periods will be 20 years for the hotel and cinema and ten years for the restaurant/café units.

Work is progressing on the site with Rotherham Council addressing flood issues with multimillion pound plans for new 3.75 metre high retaining walls and a new flood gate.

Needham, whose grandmother was from Rotherham, added: "Forge island is a fantastic opportunity for leisure but it is not without its challenges, such as flood risk and its previous use for the rolling mills. It's about turning these around and also creating links between the station, the council offices, the stadium and Minster Gardens. Forge Island has a massive role to play.

"The water defines the site. The aspects of the scheme would usually be accommodated on a smaller site but we've been provided with the opportunity for more outside space such as outdoor seating."

With approximately 350 car parking spaces, the scheme is set to include undercroft parking that is designed to flood. The developments above will be raised by around three metres which means that a new footbridge from Minster Gardens and a cleared Riverside precinct site would actually go slightly up towards Forge Island.

Needham concluded: "We can't wait to get going."

Forge Island website
Rotherham Pioneers website

Images: Google Maps / Muse / RMBC

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News: Council begins search for new regen boss

Rotherham Council is recruiting for a new strategic director for its Regeneration and Environment Directorate - the section which covers services key to the borough's growing economy - business support, inward investment, regeneration, transport and planning.

The role is part of Senior Leadership Team at the authority, which recently saw the departure of Government-appointed commissioners.

Damien Wilson, the previous holder of the £115k+ a year post, resigned in August, with Paul Woodcock, assistant director for Regeneration Planning & Transport, currently acting up.

Recruitment documents, drawn up by consultants at Penna, state: "As strategic director, Regeneration and Environment you will lead this large and diverse range of services working to transform the landscape of Rotherham for the future. We are successfully bringing forward exciting regeneration schemes and working with education and business to ensure our workforce has the skills our businesses need as well as creating 10,000 new jobs in Rotherham as part of our economic development strategy.

"Critical to Rotherham's revival will be to ensure that we have a strong voice within the Sheffield City Region, as well as the resources and expertise to secure funding and deliver successful schemes."

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Major regeneration projects include the town centre regeneration projects such as Forge Island and the Gulliver's Valley leisure development.

The directorate employs 1,279 staff and has a budget of £41m per annum. Other responsibilities include culture, licencing and community safety.

A joint welcome from Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council and Sharon Kemp, the chief executive, reads: "We require the new strategic director to continue to improve outcomes for all of our residents. We will look to you to forge closer links with our key partners and investors, and take advantage of collaborative opportunities that are available. Leading sustainable improvement within the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy will be critical, ensuring that we continue to deliver value for money across our services whilst improving outcomes for residents.

"Rotherham has all the ingredients for a fantastic career move. We have a good service in place and we need an outstanding Strategic Director to join our close knit and high performing leadership team. If you have ambition, drive and tenacity as well as an unwavering commitment to delivering services for Rotherham which focus on economic regeneration whilst at the same time ensuring we keep neighbourhoods safe, clean, green and well maintained, then we would like to hear from you."

Images: RMBC

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News: New framework for smaller scale construction projects

Local suppliers and contractors are being sought for a new multimillion pound framework that will cover a range of works for a number of public sector organisations in Rotherham and the surrounding areas.

Rotherham Council has been leading on the development of the framework after it identified that improvements could be made in its procurement for smaller scale work up to the value of £250k.

Most building construction is procured through either the established YORbuild framework or the Efficiency North Framework (for social housing).

A paper to the Council at the start of the process explained: "There are instances where it is not wholly appropriate to use the frameworks for example with roofing or demolition projects. These projects are currently procured through YORbuild and would be sub-contracted to a specialist contractor, with the main YORbuild contractor applying a management fee. This management fee can be in the region of 10% of the tender price and clearly this does not present best value to the authority."

A similar framework, known as "RCP3" began last year and now a tender exercise has begun for "RCP4" - part of an aim to create a framework of SME specialist contractors.

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Local companies are encouraged to get involved. Paul Smith, head of asset management at Rotherham Council was at a recent meeting of the Rotherham Pioneers to explain the importance of including local companies in the supply chain.

Tender documents explain that the aim is for "the establishment of a framework of pre-qualified organisations who have the ability to provide a variety of construction works, principally involving minor building works, structural repairs, roofing, demolition, mechanical and electrical installation and repair works, and fixed wire testing."

Set to start in May 2019 and run for two years with the option to extend, the framework is split into a number of lots such as building works up to £150k and works between £150k and £750k.

It is expected that other local authorities and organisations in Yorkshire, such as the police or fire and rescue services, could also make use of the framework to procure contractors for their projects.

As in previous frameworks, it is likely that tendering will consider the use of local labour and the benefits that this may provide to the borough - these could include apprenticeships, work experience and visits to schools. Proposed methods for utilising the local supply chain and sub-contractors will also be considered.

Rotherham Council website

Images: RMBC

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News: SBD Apparel going from strength to strength in Rotherham

A strength and fitness clothing company has grown its staffing tenfold and doubled turnover after relocating to the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

SBD Apparel, which manufactures premium performance clothing worn by elite strength and fitness athletes across the world, sought help from Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO), a partner of the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub Enhancement Project, after moving its offices and warehouses closer to its main factory in Rotherham.

RiDO Key Account Manager, John Fox, advised the firm on possible locations and explained the incentives available from moving to a government-designated Enterprise Zone, which led to SBD deciding to base itself at the AMP.

RiDO then provided support to help SBD relocate staff from London to South Yorkshire and hire new employees to expand the business.

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In the two years since relocating, SBD has increased turnover by 160%, growing its workforce from four members of staff to 41. Earlier this year the firm was awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise for outstanding short term growth in overseas sales. Overseas sales grew by 184% over the previous three years and over 80% of sales are exported.

Benjamin Banks, CEO at SBD Apparel, who competed for Great Britain internationally before founding the company in 2013, said: "The support from RiDO has been very refreshing, proactive and wide ranging.

"Our move to the Advanced Manufacturing Park has paid dividends for us, with Enterprise Zone Status giving business rates relief and obviously our expansion and increased turnover.

"I would certainly encourage other businesses to contact RiDO and the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub Enhancement Project for similar support."

The Enhancement Project provides businesses with intensive one-to-one support from a Key Account Manager and access to free Masterclasses delivered by private sector experts.

SBD Apparel website
RiDO website

Images: SBD Apparel / RiDO

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News: New college programme to improve links to industry

RNN Group, which comprises of Rotherham College, North Notts College and Dearne Valley College, has received essential funding for its involvement with the Teach Too project, which aims to improve vocational education and training through collaboration between the education sector and employers.

The funding should ensure that catering and hospitality, travel and tourism and digital students can benefit from more industrial placements, masterclasses and workshops led by industry professionals.

The Association of Colleges (AoC), a national voice for further education, sixth form, tertiary and specialist colleges in England, has provided the funding. Acting as the collective voice, AoC represents and promotes the interests of colleges, with a mission to champion and support the sector by enhancing colleges' reputation, influencing decision-makers and advising colleges.

The project is also in collaboration with Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP), which are locally-owned partnerships between local authorities and businesses. Private sector-led, LEPs lead on trade and investment activities, transport improvements, housing developments, and skills and training.

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The aim of the Teach Too project is to drive excellence in vocational education and training through collaborative arrangements, encouraging people from industry to spend some time teaching their work, as well as giving employers a direct involvement in designing, planning and developing vocational programmes.

RNN Group will use the funding to further advance its strategic curriculum development by establishing Curriculum Innovation Hubs across the Group. Each Hub will offer the opening of collaboration and innovation in order to increase opportunities for employers, learners, awarding bodies, universities and voluntary agencies.

It is through the programme that the Group aims to raise learner and community aspirations, develop a broad set of employability skills relevant to industry, support business growth that includes training and development of staff and additionally provide routes to higher-level employment opportunities.

Jason Austin, interim principal at RNN Group, said: "The funding received from AoC is a fantastic opportunity for the Group to provide learners a more enhanced learning experience by engaging industry professionals and a modernised design of delivery.

"We plan to work in partnership with local businesses not only to support students in developing the best possible set of skills for them to succeed in their industry, but also to offer additional training for our staff to create the best possible learning environment."

RNN Group website
Teach Too website

Images: RNN Group

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News: Rotherham hosting digital growth conference

A digital showcase event is taking place in Rotherham next week that will provide practical tips and news on the latest digital developments, to help local businesses lead the way.

The local growth programme from Superfast South Yorkshire is ensuring that the event at the AMP Technology Centre on December 18 is free to attend. Expert consultants will bring businesses up to speed on the latest digital developments, including search engine optimisation (SEO), data segmentation, and social media management.

The event, which runs from 8am to 3pm, is part of a programme being delivered by East Midlands Chamber that features a number of workshops and awareness-raising seminars to help South Yorkshire businesses maximise uptake of new and developing digital technologies.

Superfast South Yorkshire is the partnership between the authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield and BT, which secured millions to ensure South Yorkshire will have access to superfast broadband. Programmes are supported by the European Development Fund (ERDF).

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On the day, consultant Ian Lockwood, will discuss the latest updates to Google's algorithm, how changes to the presentation of search results could affect businesses, all the new AdWords and Bing Ads features recently released and the latest industry data and test results demonstrating what really works in the worlds of search engine optimisation and pay-per-click marketing.

Lee Callender is set to explain how to get the most value out of the information businesses hold to help to connect with customers in a way that means something to them, and ultimately boosts bottom line and reputation.

Paul Ince (pictured) will look at what's new in social to help attendees understand what channels are right – or wrong – for their business, and what your message should look like for the best results.

A spokesperson for Superfast South Yorkshire, said: "Our experts will take you through some of our hottest topics, and there will also be great networking opportunities with other local businesses looking to get ahead in the digital world."

The event is open to all SMEs based in South Yorkshire and to register a place on the event attendees will need to complete the SME enrolment process for the digital growth programme.

Event website

Images: Digital Growth Programme

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News: Origin Broadband needs support of creditors and investors

Origin Broadband has been hit by high costs and bad debts as it tries to press ahead with ambitious growth plans.

Reports claim that a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) is being arranged with its creditors in order to keep the company trading, but redundancies are expected.

Launching in 2011, Origin has developed its own infrastructure and now host the sixth largest broadband network in the UK. Supplying phone and internet services to businesses and homes across the UK, Origin aims to reach 250,000 customers by 2020.

As part of the growth plans, earlier this year the firm moved from Doncaster to the 53,665 sq ft Unit 7 at Callflex Business Park, Manvers which the firm said offers an even bigger opportunity for growth.

Financial statements filed with Companies House show that the company posted a full year loss to March 31 2018 of £7m but funding of £6.75m was secured from investors during and after the financial year to return the business "to a positive net asset position combined with increased cash funds."

Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Venture Capital Trust (VCT) specialist, Calculus, first invested £3m in December 2016 and has gone on to invest a total of £6.5m into Origin Broadband.

Trade website, ISP Review, is reporting that Origin have appointed business recovery professionals, Chamberlain & Co, and that creditors have been informed over a proposed CVA. It added that Origin is also proposing to cut their staff count by approximately 42%.

Struggling companies can use a CVA to pay creditors over a fixed period. 75% approval from unsecured creditors is needed to complete a CVA which enables the company to continue trading.

Trade creditors were owed £4.8m at the end of the year to March 31 2018.

The company continues to undergo work to secure further funding to support "significant potential growth plans."

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The financial results state: "Origin Broadband saw significant growth in 2017/18, with 117% growth in revenue combined with 192% growth in customer numbers. Having established a residential customer base, the company spent the second half of 17/18 focused on system and process improvement to support future growth in the following financial year.

"The high growth experienced by the company has seen significant up-front costs combined with overhead costs and prudent bad debt assumptions leading to a full year loss to 31 March 2018 of £7.0m. During 2017/18 the company raised £3.5m investment from our institutional EIS investor, combined with a £3.25m raise in May 2018 that return us to a positive net asset position combined with increased cash funds. This final investment tranche was a combined investment between our incumbent EIS investor with a new VC based investor.

"The company is currently working with this new VC investor to provide significant capital funding against subscriber targets which will give the business headroom to operate in the longterm."

Directors have drawn up financial forecasts based on the new investment being delivered and scaled back plans based on no new investment. Signed off in September, the directors state that "they have a reasonable expectation that the company will have adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future."

But company auditors warn that: "On the basis that major suppliers and investors continue to support the company it can be considered a going concern and we have not seen anything to suggest that this is not the case.

"However should support from creditors end or continued support from investors fail to materialise, the company does not have the cash generative ability to continue trading in its current form."

Origin Broadband website

Images: Origin Broadband

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News: Metalysis a prime example of the strength and economic potential of the North

Innovative Rotherham firm, Metalysis recently hosted a delegation led by MP Richard Harrington – Business and Industry Minister – as it celebrated becoming a Northern Powerhouse Partner.

The Manvers company holds the worldwide exploitation rights to the FCC Cambridge process which sees specialist powder metals created in a simple, cost effective process with significant environmental benefits. With a Materials Discovery Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), also in Rotherham, the firm raised a further £12m earlier this year ahead of the start of commercial production.

The Northern Powerhouse Partners Programme is a network of leading companies who all believe strongly in the economic potential of the North, and support the need for a combined effort by government and business to realise that potential.

Commercial production in September marked the technology's ascension from a Cambridge University breakthrough, through more than a decade of development, to offering industrial scale production of demand driven, high value powder alloys for international aerospace, automotive, additive and advanced manufacturing applications.

More broadly, the Partners Programme's ethos encapsulates Metalysis' clear and continued commitment to growing the business in the North of the UK, and using its technology to provide a nationally significant capability for global metal powder supply chain activity.

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Dr Dion Vaughan, CEO at Metalysis (pictured, far right), said: "Metalysis is proud to mark our commitment to the region by joining the Northern Powerhouse Partners Programme.

"During our time with MP Richard Harrington and his colleagues, we have enjoyed discussing Company ambitions for our technology as part of the national agenda set forth in the Industrial Strategy.

"We look forward to working with the Northern Powerhouse, its networks and BEIS to strengthen international interest and investment in the overwhelming potential of the Northern economy."

Jake Berry, Northern Powerhouse Minister, added: "Supporting research and innovation is at the heart of our modern Industrial Strategy so I’m pleased to welcome Metalysis as our latest Northern Powerhouse partner.

"As an ambitious Yorkshire-based company with a commitment to boosting skills, technological development and growing production, they share our vision for a strong Northern Powerhouse economy."

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MP Richard Harrington visited Metalysis at its Materials Discovery Centre on the AMP to discuss the recent developments and hear about its ambitions for future expansion.

Work is already underway on "Generation 5" - manufacturing options for thousands of tonnes per annum of these high value metal alloy powders. It is designed to retrofit into an existing industrial site.

Richard Harrington, Business and Industry Minister (pictured, second right), said: "From a Cambridge University breakthrough to a growing commercial operation that is supporting production on an international scale, Metalysis is a prime example of the strength and economic potential of the north.

"Through our modern Industrial Strategy, we are harnessing our research, innovation and manufacturing strengths to help even more businesses realise their economic potential and apply them on an industrial scale – solidifying our position as a world-leader in advanced manufacturing."

Metalysis website

Images: Metalysis

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News: MBO at Rotherham manufacturer

Rotherham headquartered Harvest Healthcare, a leading manufacturer and supplier of high-quality healthcare equipment, has changed ownership in a Management Buy-Out (MBO) led by managing director, Neil Davis.

Based at Templeborough, Harvest Healthcare manufacture and distribute quality healthcare equipment to the NHS, care home and community markets, throughout the UK and internationally. The company manufactures, supplies and services active and static mattresses and cushions, profiling beds, and moving and handling equipment. It has long term relationships with several national blue-chip care home groups as well as serving most local authorities around the country.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, sees Davis acquire all of the shares in the company from founders Phil and Jim Hutchinson. Both Phil and Jim have steadily reduced their involvement in the day to day running of the company over the last few years.

Sheffield based dealmakers, Castle Square Corporate Finance, provided corporate finance advice to the management team, leading negotiations on transaction value as well as deal structure, and also running the fundraising process alongside law firm, Keebles who provided legal services and advice. HSBC provided the necessary finance to complete the transaction.

Davis joined the company in February 2017 and has transformed the fortunes of Harvest, delivering significant growth in turnover and profit, culminating in him being given an opportunity by the owners to put together a MBO bid.

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Neil Davis (pictured) said: "I am proud and excited to have the opportunity to lead the long-term development of Harvest Healthcare, and am grateful to the professional team who have helped make this possible. We are determined to help more and more customers provide exceptional care to their residents and patients, whilst building fulfilling careers for our staff, and growth opportunities for our supply chain partners."

Patrick Lynch, corporate finance executive at Castle Square, said: "It is fantastic to have advised the highly experienced and successful managing director and entrepreneur Neil Davis on the transaction. During the last 21 months Neil has been supported by the wider management team, in particular finance director Tim Woods, who has also provided tremendous support throughout the transaction.

"The buy-out gives Harvest the platform build on the recent success and continue to manufacture and supply innovative high-quality equipment supplied into multiple healthcare environments."

Matt Ainsworth, corporate partner at Keebles, added: "We are delighted to have worked on this transaction. Harvest Healthcare is a great example of some of the fantastic businesses we have in South Yorkshire that local funders and deal advisory teams can support. We are confident that Neil and Tim will capitalise on the huge potential in the care sector to drive the business forward."

Following the structured debt fundraising process led by the Castle Square team, HSBC emerged as the preferred funding partner - providing the acquisition finance on the transaction alongside working capital facilities.

Chris Alsop from HSBC's corporate team in Sheffield, said: "I am very happy to back this strong management team whom I am confident will take Harvest Healthcare from strength to strength."

HSBC were advised on the legal aspects of the transaction by Irwin Mitchell and financial due diligence was provided by Sheffield's BHP team. Hollis & Co provided specialist tax due diligence.

Harvest Healthcare website
Castle Square website
Keebles website
HSBC website

Images: Harvest Healthcare / Will Armson

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News: Bodycote announces further expansion in Rotherham

Bodycote, the world's largest provider of heat treatment and specialist thermal processing services, has revealed plans for significant expansion at its new site in Rotherham.

Bodycote improves the properties of metals and alloys, extending the life of vital components through heat treatment services and specialist thermal processes, Hot Isostatic Pressing and surface technology.

Over the summer, Bodycote opened a new facility on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham to support the aerospace and power generation markets in the UK and Europe.

At the official opening event last week, bosses at Macclesfield-headquartered firm confirmed that it had already secured extra units on the AMP.

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Tom Gibbons, president of Bodycote's Aerospace, Defence & Energy division, said: "Due to customer demand and interest since the announcement of this new plant in July, we are investing in further capacity and technology. The additional space we secured here at Rotherham is nearly three times the size of our existing unit. We are committed to ensuring we are able to meet our customers' demand in the years ahead."

The new advanced heat treatment centre is within Harworth Group's R-evolution development on the AMP, close to Rolls-Royce's £110m casting facility. In April this year, a contract with Rolls-Royce's Civil Aerospace business was announced that is expected to be worth over £160m in incremental revenues over the next 15 years. Sales will ramp up over the next five years.

The Rotherham facility was officially opened by Andy Greasley, executive vice president of Rolls-Royce's Turbines Supply Chain Unit. He said: "Heat treatment and processing is a vital part of our supply chain and Rolls-Royce are delighted to be supported by Bodycote on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham. Close coupling of this capability to our own Rolls-Royce business is critical for our future success and our relationship with Bodycote is one that we truly value."

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Also speaking at the event, Colin Sirett, CEO of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, said the new centre will bring a key capability to the AMP: "We've got everything from aircraft parts through to carbon fibre chassis for supercars all being manufactured on this site; the one piece of the process that was missing was materials processing.

"We can cast, we can forge, we can assemble, we can machine, but the one key element that was missing is exactly what Bodycote brings to the park. So it's great to welcome the Bodycote team here and we are looking forward to working with them for many years to come."

Bodycote website

Images: Bodycote

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News: Trust needed before building can begin at Bassingthorpe

Rotherham Council is proposing to pool its land together with that of other landowners in order to progress development at Bassingthorpe Farm.

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, on how to bring forward the project.

The Council is now finalising details of a proposal to put its Bassingthorpe land into a land pooling arrangement, known as a Bare Trust, to progress delivery and enable a partner to be procured to help deliver the development.

Trustees would appoint a partner to sell off land parcels to housebuilders and commercial developers in return for a share of the capital receipts.

It was in November 2016 when the authority approved plans to search for a "Promotion Partner" that would bring skills and funding to facilitate the delivery of the site.

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2,400 dwellings could be joined by 11 hectares for employment use, a local health centre, primary school, and a local centre together with the green and social infrastructure necessary to create facilities to serve the new and existing communities.

Masterplanners, WYG, undertook consultation last year on the vision to create a "garden suburb for the 21st century." It showed a range of character areas including a new modern urban living housing area at Clough Bank View. A mixed use area is also included incorporating the Grade II Listed Bassingthorpe Farm buildings and showed a primary school, retail, health, community uses and sports pitches.

Rotherham Council believes that development "will not commence before 2021 due to the size and complexity of the site." The authority are also set to prepare planning guidance known as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for the site which will require further consultation.

One key issue is the search for external funds to support the infrastructure around the site. Rothbiz reported in August that Rotherham Council had drawn up an outline business case for £8.45m worth of transport improvements.

Bassingthorpe was one of a number of projects discussed at a recent Housing Developer Summit where Rotherham Council highlighted plans to boost housebuilding in the borough.

The overall number of homes in the borough increased by 479 units in the 2017/18 financial year with 233 new homes delivered in the borough during this current financial year. The Council's target is currently 641 units a year.

Images: RMBC / WYG

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