News: Xeros takes a step closer to domestic machine

Xeros has signed an exclusive agreement to develop and license its domestic and commercial washing machine technologies to IFB Industries Limited (IFB).

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), Xeros is a Leeds University spin-out that has developed a patented system using a unique method of special polymer beads rather than the usual large amounts of fresh water to clean clothes.

The AIM-listed firm is targeting commercial laundry and domestic laundry as well as the tanning industry and textile manufacturing.

IFB is the leading domestic appliance and commercial laundry equipment supplier in South Asia and is listed on the National Stock Exchange of India.

The Development and Licensing Agreement has a ten year duration and covers the incorporation and commercialisation of Xeros' water saving XOrb and XDrum technologies into selected ranges of IFB's domestic and commercial sized washing machines.

Xeros said that it will receive immediately a one-off exclusivity fee and during the development phase further payments when various milestones are reached. IFB will have access to Xeros' technology and has been granted rights to the Indian market on an exclusive basis and for other South Asian territories on a non-exclusive basis. The contract has the provision to add additional territories on a non-exclusive basis.

Xeros will also receive royalties based upon sales revenues after the machines have completed development. The firm is moving to "IP-rich, capital-light" business models.

Sales of commercial washing machines and domestic washing machines incorporating Xeros' technologies are planned to commence in India in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

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Mark Nichols, chief executive of Xeros, said: "This licensing agreement with the leading Indian OEM for both the domestic appliance and commercial laundry markets is another major milestone in the commercialisation of our cleaning technologies.

"IFB's capabilities and market reach make them a very strong commercialisation partner in a country where water demand is expected to increase by more than 60% over the next 30 years with some 80% of the current population already impacted by water scarcity.

"With this agreement, IFB's customers will be able to reduce water, detergent and energy consumption whilst simultaneously benefitting from improved cleaning performance and garment life extension."

In January Xeros signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Wuxi Little Swan Company Limited, a subsidiary of Midea Group, the Chinese manufacturer of home appliances. Midea is one of the world's largest manufacturers of domestic washing machines.

Officially launched at CES 2018, XOrbs last for many hundreds of washes before needing to be replaced and recycled. The beads gently remove unwanted molecules and contaminants from materials allowing washing machines to work more efficiently while using just a fraction of the water traditionally needed.

The XDrum is an elegant and inexpensive system which introduces the XOrbs during the wash as the drum rotates. 50% less water than conventional machines is used and the XOrbs are collected after the wash with a simple change of direction. Clean clothes are then removed from the machine as normal.

Xeros website

Images: Xeros

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News: Approval for next phase of business park

Plans have been approved that will enable the successful Sheffield Business Park to expand into Rotherham, where there is the potential to create around 1,000 more jobs.

Rothbiz has reported on the proposals for a parcel of land that was previously kept in the greenbelt when Sheffield City Airport was in operation.

The plan will see the 18 acres of land between Europa Link and the Parkway transformed to create a prominent business gateway to the Sheffield city region's wider Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID), with the development set to include building footprints ranging from 10,764 sq ft to 107,649 sq ft of B1b (research and development), B1c (industrial process), B2 (general industrial) and B8 (storage and distribution) facilities.

The outline plans include a potential total of around 270,000 sq ft of new commercial space.

SBP were advised by a lead consultancy team to support on the planning application including Turley Planning Consultancy, Bond Bryan Architects, WSP and JPG Engineers.

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Graham Sadler, managing director at SBP, said: "Having planning permission granted for our Phase 4 "masterplan" is an excellent outcome and provides further opportunity to attract OEM companies to join existing occupiers including Boeing and McLaren at the nucleus of the AMID. This will further establish Sheffield city region as a world class advanced manufacturing hub.

"I'd like to thank the whole project team and Rotherham MBC for their tremendous work and support to date. We look forward to continuing working closely together to bring our ambitious plans to life."

The outline plans with reserved matters was discussed at a recent meeting of the planning board at Rotherham Council.

Nigel Hancock, development manager at Rotherham Council, explained to the board: "The site is allocated for industrial and business puropses in the local plan and this is an industrial and business scheme. Any office uses will be ancillary to the other uses on site and it is likely that job creation will be anywhere between 350 to 700 new jobs.

"It is fully supported in local plan policy and it will contribute to employment growth. The principle is therefore acceptable. It is an extension of the business park and supports everything that is going on at the AMP [Advanced Manufacturing Park]."

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The proposals will add to the transport network but it is not considered to be severe and Highways England have no objections.

The plans were passed unanimously.

Outline planning permission provides flexibility and details of layout, access and landscaping will need to be approved as occupiers come forward.

Sheffield Business Park website

Images: SBP / Bond Bryan

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News: Here's where Lidl wants to build its next Rotherham store and it involves demolishing a church

A planning application has been submitted for a new retail foodstore in Rotherham by German global discount chain, Lidl, a year on from its last proposal in the borough.

Lidl was founded in Germany in the 1930's and has grown consistently, now operating over 10,000 stores in 27 countries. Launching in the UK in September 1994, Lidl today has 760 stores and 13 warehouses in England, Scotland and Wales, with plans to open a further 50 new stores this year.

Lidl already operates on the edge of Rotherham town centre and a new store is due to open soon in Dalton.

Plans have now been submitted for a new 20,000 sq ft store on a site at Rotherham Road, Swallownest that would involve the demolition of the Christ Church building and, at the rear of the site, improvements to changing rooms and playing pitches at the existing Miners Welfare Society.

The plans, drawn up by HTC Architects, show the store positioned on the site towards the north east corner with an active frontage including extensive glazed elements along Rotherham Road. 98 car parking spaces have been proposed for the retail scheme.

The new Lidl food store would create up to 40 employment opportunities.

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Rival chain Aldi, has secured planning permission for a store at nearby Fence but only an access road has been created.

Lidl's site, which is close to Swallownest Primary School, was allocated for community use, greenspace and green belt in the Council's local plan.

The application adds that community facilities will be improved and that the church will use proceeds from the sale to invest in partner churches at Ulley and Aston.

The applicants have also included a sequential assessment and an assessment of retail impact. 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 assessments conclude that there are no available sites within the Swallownest District Centre and that "the proposal would achieve the aim of enhancing consumer choice in the area, as well as reducing leakage of expenditure out of the area. There would not be a significant adverse impact on the centre."

There has been significant concern raised by the community about the proposed developments impact on the existing road network, particularly Rotherham Road. The Transport Assessment included with the plans considered that the existing road network would not see a significant increase in vehicle movements and the proposed development will not have a detrimental impact on the number or severity of accidents in the area.

Lidl have already stated that they are happy for parents to use their car park when dropping off and collecting pupils from the nearby school as long as they are within the maximum stay time of 90 minutes.

Rotherham Council will now need to decide if any adverse impacts would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of granting planning permission.

Lidl website

Images: Lidl / HTC Architects

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News: API Group relocate to larger facility

API Group, a leading manufacturer and distributor of foils, laminates and holographics, has relocated to new premises in Rotherham in order to create a new, larger UK sales and distribution facility.

The group's materials provide exceptional brand enhancement for consumer goods and printed media worldwide. Products are used in packaging across a wide-range of industry sectors including premium drinks, confectionery, tobacco, perfumery, personal-care, cosmetics and healthcare/ With roots in the British paper industry, the company's reputation is founded on a trading history going back over a century.

API Group has relocated its Waleswood sales and distribution facility to a new site, creating an even larger distribution centre from which to serve its growing UK customer base.

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The 18,000 sq ft warehouse and modern office space at Dinnington will provide the company with a state-of-the-art site, from which it can distribute its entire product range to its customer base in the UK and Ireland.

The new facility enables API to hold double the amount of stock of the previous site, as well as the latest in spooling, cutting and slitting machinery. The site is only four miles away from the previous location, so benefits from the same excellent transport links due to its proximity to the M1, whilst having little or no impact on staff, ensuring the team benefits too.

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Michael Kitchen, head of UK sales & distribution at API Group, said: "Since opening the UK distribution centre in Sheffield over five years ago we have continued to develop and grow our customer base. As a result of our success we are now investing in an infrastructure that will allow us to continue to expand and support the needs of our customers. The new site enables us to increase our stock holding as well as add more finishing equipment to further improve our service."

Dino Kiriakopoulas, CEO of API Group, added: "Our ambition has always been to grow our business in the UK and deliver better service to our customers. This move further represents our strategic plans for growth and another step forward in optimising our Group footprint to best service our customers."

API Group website

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News: Rotherham service station sold

Herringthorpe Service Station, a modern petrol filling station in Rotherham, has been acquired by expanding group operator, Karan Assets Holding Ltd.

The Jet branded, canopied forecourt has four pump islands with 22 nozzles, with capacity for over 45,000 litres of fuel across five storage tanks and a throughput of 1.8 million litres per annum. The open plan store was extended and fully refitted following significant reinvestment in the summer of 2015 and also houses a Subway franchise.

Its 12th acquisition, Karan Retail plans to double their portfolio in the coming years. Herringthorpe Service Station will continue to operate as a managed business, while the store has been rebranded and is trading under the Budgens banner.

Agents, Christie & Co sought an asking price of £1.5m for the freehold interest of the property.

Jon Booth, senior business agent at Christie & Co, said: "The price achieved in the sale of Herringthorpe Service Station demonstrates the role a managed, open marketing process can play in securing a genuine premium price. While the supply of quality sites remains limited across the North of England, those owners seeking an exit should ensure they leave no value on the table. With our market leading comparable data base of UK wide transactions, Christie & Co remains best placed to give reliable market advice."

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Previously owned and operated by Myuran Mahadevan and Pavatharini Myuran for 14 years, the husband and wife team decided to sell following their decision to relocate from Rotherham to Guildford in late 2017 in order to be closer to family. While they still own a trading retail site in the East Midlands, the pair plan to exit the retail market and enter the care sector in the next few years.

Myuran Mahadevan, said: "We have dealt with Christie & Co several times in the past with business transactions. We have known Jon Booth from Christie & Co for nearly four years now and have always had a good relationship. He encouraged us to put our site on the market with the price we had in mind and within two months of being on the market, we had an offer agreed to an established operator who was looking to expand his portfolio and we found him to be genuine.

"It took some time for us to complete the sale. Nevertheless, Jon had been on it throughout the process, and he really worked hard to make ends meet. We had a few obstacles down the line as the deal started to progress, however, he was there to negotiate with all the parties involved and move forward. Jon was available 24/7, and I would recommend him to anyone, as he was always a very dedicated, hardworking and supportive gentleman."

Christie & Co website

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News: Plans in for large Rotherham housing development

A planning application has been submitted for a 450 dwelling development on a former greenbelt site in Rotherham.

Landowners and applicants, AE Waddington, R Parkes & V Foers, successfully secured a residential allocation for the nearly 50 acre site off Lathe Road / Worry Goose Lane at Whiston through the development of the borough's Local Plan.

The site consists of two arable fields divided by a bank and hedgerow and sits between existing housing and Sitwell golf course.

Plans, drawn up by JVH Town Planning Consultants Ltd, state: "The overall vision for the site is to create an attractive and sustainable development, to provide a new living environment which will provide a mix of new homes, open spaces and attractive recreational areas in keeping with the edge of settlement location.

"The site has been actively farmed for arable crops under modern farming methods. The site is contained within two land ownerships, both of the land owning parties are collaborating to bring this land forward for development and have progressed the site through the stages of the development plan and now are working together to obtain an outline planning permission."

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A number of assessments have been included with the application covering highway matters, ecology issues, landscape, flood risk and drainage, utilities, ground conditions, air quality, and heritage assets.

The application has already attracted a number of objections.

One of the main issues is the impact on the local transport network and assessments conclude that the increased traffic can be accommodated on the road network without the need for highway improvements other than at Worrygoose Roundabout and the A6021/B6410 Junction.

Rotherham Council has previously highlighted that Worrygoose Roundabout requires £1m of upgrades and can be paid for by contributions from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which the applicants in this case will have to make a significant contribution to.

The development will also need to support affordable housing policies.

The plans conclude: "The scheme will provide an attractive development providing homes and open spaces on an allocated site together with making the necessarily planning contributions and CIL payments to enhance services in the surrounding area."

Waddingtons is perhaps best know for commercial development in Rotherham, bringing forward sites in Aldwarke, Eastwood and Dinnington.

Images: Google Maps / JVH

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News: Makers marks milestone on Rotherham's High Street

No. 26 Makers Emporium is celebrating its five-year milestone this month.

Transforming the former Snafu rock bar in Rotherham town centre, the Makers Emporium offers low-cost shared and professionally-managed retail space to a mixture of makers, crafters, artists and designers.

Funded by the High Street Renewal Award and delivered in partnership between Rotherham Council and The Source Skills Academy, it aims to support new start-businesses looking to trade for the first time, raise awareness of their products and letting them see for themselves what takes to run their own business.

Since opening in 2014, the High Street store has supported over 100 talented local artisans, crafters, designers, makers and independent businesses.

Having been influenced by her review of High Street, the store was officially opened by Mary Portas. On a return visit, the retail guru said: "I love this place. It's unique, creative and full of talent and new ideas."

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Cllr. Denise Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, said: "The Makers Emporium is a lovely building giving visitors access to a wide selection of unique products and gifts, information on local attractions and the local theatre box office, all under one roof.

"Over the last five years, it has given local makers, crafters, artists and new start businesses a unique opportunity to trade for the first time in a professionally managed retail space, so I'm delighted to see it celebrating its fifth anniversary this month and would encourage everyone to visit and see what's on offer."

The Makers Emporium has also served as an apprenticeship training hub, with seven apprentices from The Source completing their qualifications here before moving into full-time employment within the retail industry.

Daniel Stanbra, director of operations at The Source, said: "The Source has been working with Rotherham Council to support the Makers Emporium so that it can be a centre for retail apprenticeships in the town centre.

"Over the last few years we've seen some very capable and skilled apprentices come through the Makers Emporium's door who have gone on to find employment and progress their career further. We’re really proud to have provided them with a fantastic place to establish their career path."

Makers Emporium website

Images: Makers Emporium

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News: Skills Bank back open for business

A new look Skills Bank has been launched as part of a strategic aim to increase the number of high productivity jobs in the Sheffield city region (SCR).

The Skills Bank was designed to give employers greater purchasing power and control in how Government funded training is accessed. The aim is to create a demand-led skills system and encourage companies to co-invest in skills support for their own employees.

After a new procurement exercise, Skills Bank is now delivered by Calderdale College. The business led programme developed by the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) uses devolved government funding, matching private sector investment with public funding.

Part of the SCR Growth Hub offer to businesses, funding is available to businesses that make a strong case for how the investment will deliver growth. The service aims to cut through red tape to enable firms to access bespoke, tailor made training.

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Dan Jarvis, mayor of the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority, said: "We're a region that has some fantastic businesses and world class training facilities, including our Further Education Colleges, the National College for High Speed Rail and the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre. The Sheffield City Region Skills Bank is another important part of our work to build a skills system that delivers for businesses, communities and the economy.

"Skills Bank is an example of an innovative locally designed solution and shows the benefits of devolving resources to local areas."

Recommended reading: The Crucial Role of Line Managers in Boosting Employee Productivity

James Muir, chair of the Sheffield City Region LEP, added: "Businesses tell us that publicly funded training for businesses can be hard to access and that the system is complicated. Skills Bank and our advisors can help businesses cut through this. This is good for the region, good for the profitability of businesses and helps grow the skills of our workforce.

"So long as a business can show that it helps boost productivity and grow our economy it should be a straightforward transaction. It's win-win. I'm absolutely delighted that it has gone live."

Ebrahim Dockrat, director of commercial services and partnerships at Calderdale College, said: "Skills Bank is a fantastic initiative for Sheffield City Region and we are thrilled to be in a position where we can support local businesses.

"Our focus will be on helping employers develop the skills they need to grow their business and we bring a huge amount of expertise from our many years of working closely with the Education and Skills Funding Agency on major funded training programmes."

SCR Growth Hub website

Images: SCR Growth Hub

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News: Plans progress for massive expansion of AMP

Plans are being updated for a further 430,500 sq ft of commercial space on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported last year that landowner and developer, Harworth Group, had secured outline permission that would provide consent for around 35 acres of land to be used for flexible high quality business, manufacturing and office floorspace.

The UK's premier advanced manufacturing park is at Waverley, Yorkshire's largest ever brownfield mixed-use development at 740 acres. Consent has been given for 2.1m sq ft of commercial space and just under 1.5m sq ft has been built, delivering 1,500 skilled jobs.

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The remaining 15 hectares of the former mining site have been prepared for commercial development. The remaining undeveloped plots will provide further high-quality business, manufacturing and ancillary office floorspace.

The latest phases will see the continuation of the successful R-Evolution development and the introduction of a new scheme called AMPlify.

There is the potential for over 2,000 new jobs to be created through the development of the remaining land. Three times as many people are now employed at the AMP than were employed at Orgreave Coking Works when it closed in 1990.

New companies will be able to move in alongside the likes of McLaren, Rolls-Royce and the multi-million pound research facilities of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

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The masterplan shows a range of units to the South and East of the £50m Mclaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC). Three units and a new service road are set to be created on unused land between the existing AMP and the Parkway.

The latest application provides details to address the conditions of last year's approved plans and covers materials and appearance, access and tree planting.

The applicants are hoping to amend the conditions so that sub areas covered in the outline permission can be delivered separately over a longer time period.

Agents for the AMP are Knight Frank and Gent Visick.

Harworth Group website

Images: Harworth Group

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News: Beatson Clark preserve top reputation

Folláin Preserves, a premium Irish food producer, intends to go global after working with Rotherham-based Beatson Clark to rebrand its glass packaging.

Founded in 1983, the County Cork based company, which produces a wide range of high-end, home-made food products, decided to overhaul its current packaging and approached Beatson Clark for a bespoke solution.

The Greasbrough Road firm, which has been making glass bottles and jars in Rotherham since 1751, specialises in providing glass packaging solutions for niche brands in the food, drink and pharmaceutical markets worldwide. Experts worked with Folláin's marketing team to design and produce a 330ml jar. The curved square jar will be used for Folláin's range of preserves, pickles and relishes.

Folláin – which is the Irish word for wholesome – predominantly sells its products into the Irish market but wanted to grow its sales in Europe, and felt the time had come to replace its standard glass jar with something more unique and premium in look and feel.

Laura Hewson, marketing and sales manager at Folláin Preserves, said: "We are a premium brand, and we wanted our packaging to reflect that with something unique to us. The standard jar we were using didn't represent the quality of the contents within.

"Our aim was to create a vintage and old fashioned-style jar, which would become a collectable, encouraging customers to reuse and recycle them. With support from the team at Beatson Clark, we have managed to achieve just that.

"We worked with Beatson from design right through to the final production run. We spoke to lots of glass manufacturers, but Beatson Clark demonstrated their credibility to work with a brand of our size and their competency in terms of capacity, design specification and size of the project."

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The jar has a deep twist-off neck and has been finished with a simple and clean-looking label.

Dean Arey, design engineer at Beatson Clark, worked with Folláin to design a pack which would allow them to take their brand to the next level.

"Rebrands of this size are often critical to the development of a brand, so it was important for us to achieve a design which Folláin felt would elevate their position in the European market," said Dean.

"With a major packaging overhaul of this size, developing the concept is as critical as the quality of the finished product. We have found that many companies of Folláin's size approach us as their packaging partner for rebrands because we have design and manufacture capabilities in house and are able to work with them on every aspect of the project over the medium and long term.

"We firmly believe taking a flexible approach makes us the go-to glass manufacturer for rebrands. We are able to give customers something completely bespoke, which, in an ultra-competitive food and drink market, is very important."

Beatson Clark website

Images: Beatson Clark

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News: More clean air measures in Rotherham

Rotherham Council is launching a borough-wide initiative to promote low-emission vehicles and improve air quality.

"Driving Clean Air" will see the authority link up with local car dealerships to provide information about cleaner vehicles and help customers find out about the benefits of switching.

Alongside dealership promotion, a series of roadshow events and online advertising will target customers who are actively thinking about changing their vehicles.

The move comes after draft proposals to address illegal levels of air pollution in Rotherham were revealed at the end of 2018 - including reducing speed limits on the Parkway and banning HGVs on the A629 between the town centre and junction 35 of the M1.

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The Driving Clean Air campaign will help car buyers decide whether a cleaner car is right for them. By giving the public reliable information on the benefits of cleaner fuel types and moving away from diesel vehicles, which are generally responsible for producing more harmful nitrogen oxides.

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, said: "Increasingly people are aware of issues around air quality, and as electric and hybrid-electric vehicles become more common and cheaper to buy, the prospect of never having to buy petrol or diesel again becomes more and more realistic.

"Over the coming months we will be introducing more electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and tackling more polluting buses and HGVs in parts of the borough where there are known air quality problems. But everyone has a role to play, and that's why we're launching this new, Government funded campaign to help everyone to make the best choice for them."

Driving Clean Air website

Images: Driving Clean Air

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News: Tata Steel deal keeps staff in the region

Tata Steel is to relocate one of its support operations from offices in Rotherham to new premises in Sheffield this summer.

The steelmaker is vacating the research and development site of the Swinden Technology Centre (STC) in Rotherham. Tata considers that it is no longer a suitable home for the R&D arm and announced in 2014 that it is relocating research to Warwick University.

Rothbiz reported last month that the 6.7-acre site on Moorgate has been put up for sale. A full planning application was submitted last year and includes 101 new properties, including 27 high-end apartments incorporating the conversion of the existing buildings.

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Now a commercial property deal has been secured that sees Tata Steel acquire a 12,000 sq ft unit at ARBA Group's recently refurbished Meadowhall Business Park to accommodate approximately 60 staff from its core business support and specialist environmental testing functions. Fit out works has now started.

Richard Burns, director at ARBA Group, said: "The success of our development at Meadowhall Business Park confirms that high quality accommodation, which can be flexibly used, attracts tenants.

"Not only that, but the location has been key. We are on a prime site close to the M1 with an immediate useful surrounding environment for businesses. We have city centre amenities in an out of town location with retail and leisure attractions close by."

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Having decided to sell, in 2017 the Indian-owned steelmaker concluded a deal with international industrials and metals group, Liberty House, to acquire Tata's Speciality Steels business for a total consideration of £100m which included the key operations and Aldwarke in Rotherham.

British Steel, a long steel products business founded in 2016 with assets acquired from Tata Steel Europe, also had R&D operations at Swinden Technology Centre. Last year, the company secured a 15,063 sq ft unit on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

Tata Steel website

Images: ARBA

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News: New discount retailer to open in Rotherham

The UK's newest discount store is set to open a new outlet in Rotherham next week.

One Below offers 5,000 products for £1 or less and sells a wide range of high street brands such as Coca Cola, Pedigree, Heinz, Kellogg's and Cadbury's.

The store has trend-led bargains across ten departments including groceries, home, health and beauty, baby care, toy, DIY, partyware and craft.

The business has been launched by Poundworld founders Chris Edwards Senior and Christopher Edwards and has plans to open 50 stores this year across the UK.

The new Rotherham store, in the former Maplin unit at Parkgate Shopping, is set to open on April 19.

The opening follows new stores in Sheffield and Doncaster. One Below has its HQ and warehouse in Barnsley.

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Poundworld was founded in 1974 and was acquired by TPG Capital in 2015 for £150m when it was undergoing an aggressive expansion and store opening plan. However the chain entered administration last year and all shops closed when a buyer could not be found.

Poundworld stores closed at Parkgate Shopping and in Rotherham town centre, where the chain's Bargain Buys store also closed.

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Christopher Edwards, managing director of One Below Retail Limited said: "One Below will be the only name on the high street offering everything it sells for either £1 only or even less than a pound with branded, quality products costing as little as 29p.

"We're also happy to be able to employ many of the former Poundworld staff, who were some of the 6,000 employees to have lost their jobs when the new owners of the business, TPG Capital, sent the business in to administration in 2018.

"We look forward to helping our customers to save on a variety of their favourite products."

One Below website
Parkgate Shopping website

Images: One Below

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News: Satisfaction high amongst tram-train users

The innovative tram-train service between Rotherham and Sheffield is certainly on the right track when it comes to passenger satisfaction.

An independent survey by Transport Focus for operator, Stagecoach, has revealed that 100% of respondents are satisfied with the overall journey and journey time on the route which uses the heavy rail line from Meadowhall to Parkgate and the tram network in Sheffield.

Passengers in South Yorkshire are the first in the country to benefit from the innovative pilot project, which entered public service at the end of October. Funded by the Government, the trial uses special vehicles and pioneering technology and aims to show how similar services can be introduced across the country.

It has not been without its problems, from being late and over budget, to a derailment on the first day of services. This week services were suspended for a day due to a vehicle fault which led to the requirement for further checks to be carried out on other Citylink trams.

For the first time the survey asked passengers on the new tram-train service for their views. Satisfaction with the overall journey and journey time on this route was 100%, and 92% were satisfied with the value for money.

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Tim Bilby, managing director at Stagecoach Supertram, said: "These survey results are a great endorsement of the commitment and hard work our people at Supertram put into delivering an excellent service for our customers.

"We are particularly pleased that the survey supports our own findings that the new Tram Train service has been extremely popular with users, and it is providing a key new link in South Yorkshire's public transport network.

"We offer high-quality, great value, fast, frequent and punctual tram services which connect easily to other modes of transport and it's great to see that our customers have recognised that.

"People in Sheffield and Rotherham rightly take great pride in their tram network and we work hard every day to deliver the services that they rely on to access employment, education, health and leisure facilities. Along with SYPTE, we are also involved in helping to safeguard the tram network for many years to come through the on-going rail replacement project. However, we are not complacent and will continue to challenge ourselves to do even better."

Tim Taylor, director of customer services at South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), added: "Supertram is a popular travel option and it's great to have such a positive response to this survey, year-on-year. It's especially encouraging to note, while 41% of the most satisfied respondents have easy access to private transport, they choose to use the tram. We're also particularly pleased with passenger satisfaction on Tram Train services.

"It's reassuring to receive such a good response after the short time services have been running. Together with Stagecoach, we're committed to continuing to make improvements and invest in the future of the network, for even better customer journeys."

Supertram website

Images: SYPTE

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News: Council progresses plans for expanding selective licensing

Rotherham Council is progressing plans to extend its selective licensing scheme to Parkgate and Thurcroft to tackle the low housing demand and significant and persistent levels of antisocial behaviour related to the private rented sector.

Rothbiz reported last year that the authority was considering extending the powers which are already used in four areas where a licence fee for each property must be paid for by the landlord or agent and where each licence contains a set of conditions that the landlord must meet.

Over 2,000 Rotherham properties in Eastwood, Masbrough, Dinnington and Maltby are registered on the current scheme, around 90% of all licensable property, and the Council reports that it has seen "significant successes in improving housing conditions to make properties safer for our most deprived communities."

The issue is set to be discussed by the Council's cabinet next week and would involve over 400 privately rented properties in parts of Thurcroft and Parkgate.

If the proposals are agreed, all private landlords in these designated areas will be legally required to have a licence for any rented house they operate and to make sure that they meet their obligations to provide appropriate housing. Amongst these are obligations relating to the safety and security of the property, taking steps to deal with anti-social behaviour, and maintaining the appearance of the property.

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Landlords would also be supported in ensuring their tenants meet their responsibilities to their properties and neighbourhood. Selective Licensing gives the Council greater powers to intervene where problems arise.

70% of respondents to the Council's consultation in Parkgate and 64% in Thurcroft were in favour of a mandatory selective licensing scheme in each of the respective areas.

Cllr. Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Housing at Rotherham Council, said: "There is a high reliance on the private sector for housing in both Thurcroft and Parkgate, communities which face particular issues in terms of unemployment, poor health, and higher levels of crime than the average. We know that by improving housing conditions, we can have a direct impact on the quality of life for both tenants and others in the community, so I was pleased to see such strong support from local residents for the proposal.

"The first stage of our selective licensing scheme showed how by working with landlords we can have a big impact on housing conditions, but also be in a position to take enforcement action on those landlords who let their tenants down when we have to."

The costs to implement the scheme are set to be covered by the income received. A revised fee of £521 is proposed for a five year single occupied house Selective Licence, but with a reduction to £394 for high performing landlords.

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News: Pricecheck powers into Profit Track 100

International wholesaler and distributor Pricecheck has been listed in a league table of 100 private companies with the fastest growing profits.

Pricecheck is a leading supplier of international branded consumer goods, working predominately in the health and beauty sector, dealing with discounted clearance stock. In 2016, the ambitious firm moved to new premises at Beighton Link Business Park in Rotherham.

The annual Sunday Times BDO Profit Track 100 ranks Britain's private companies with the fastest-growing profits over the past three years. Pricecheck, which was founded in 1978, makes its second entry in the Profit Track 100 list and is ranked 90th.

Earlier this year Pricecheck was named in the Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 which honours companies with the fastest growing international sales.

Pricecheck has a diverse network of UK customers and exports to 80 countries. It has a turnover in excess of £80m and achieved annual profit growth over three years of 58%.

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The business recently secured partnerships with world-leading brands including Johnson & Johnson, Coty, and Lindt. The company has also developed its skincare, fine fragrance and alcohol offering to capitalise on expanding markets both internationally and in the UK.

Financial targets have been set at reaching a £100m turnover by 2020 and £200m by 2025.

Mark Lythe, joint managing director at Pricecheck, said: "Pricecheck is achieving growth that’s both structured and consistent. We're continually pushing boundaries and business opportunities.

"We're committed to investing in the very best people, training, development and technology. This combination has led to excellent, ongoing growth across the business.

"We've been building and maintaining close relationships with suppliers, customers, partners and allies for 41 years. To see Pricecheck continually recognised in the FastTrack awards is a tremendous credit to our hard-working and ambitious team."

Pricecheck website

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News: More time to sign up to pioneering Working Win trial

People and businesses have more time to sign up to a research trial testing employment support for those with health problems who are struggling with work.

The aim of the trial is to assess the best type of support for those who are out of work, or struggling in their current job, due to a physical or mental health condition. So far, more than 2,700 people have signed up to take part in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw.

The innovative research trial, one of only two such projects in the UK, launched in May 2018, with the closing date for referrals originally set for March 2019. However, this has now been extended by six months, until the end of October, which gives volunteers more time to get involved.

Dan Jarvis, mayor of the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority, said: "The extension is great news for the Working Win trial. It is important that we have as many people as possible signed up to take part, so that we can find out whether the new type of support being tested really is the most effective option.

"In this time of political uncertainty, it is particularly important that we have the best services in place to support people struggling with work. I fully support the NHS and Government departments who want to use the Working Win trial to find the best way to help people into good jobs, which in turn will benefit our region's economy."

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The trial has been commissioned by Sheffield city region (SCR) with funding from NHS England. South Yorkshire Housing Association are responsible for delivering the support to those who volunteer to take part.

Being a randomised control trial, it means that people who take part will be randomly placed into one of two research groups. One group will receive the service and the other group will be provided with detailed information about existing services in their area. It tests out how effective a new type of holistic support is for people who could stay in work, or get a job, if they just had the right sort of support for physical or mental problems.

Around 3,000 more people are still needed on the trial before the window closes in October.

Businesses in Rotherham can book a free consultation and workplace health check and employees can benefit from one-to-one coaching. The Working Win project can also deliver free mental health and physical health awareness training for employers and help employees to tap into Access to Work, a Government funding scheme that can pay for specialist equipment, transport solutions or on-the-job support.

Working Win website

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News: AESSEAL celebrates 40th anniversary

Rotherham-based AESSEAL, the world largest homogeneous mechanical seal manufacturer, is celebrating its 40th anniversary, with a series of events and a promise to continue investing and innovating.

The multi award winning Templeborough company, which designs and makes mechanical seals and support systems for a wide range of global industries including oil and gas, food, water, mining and pharmaceuticals, has grown from a small distribution business based on Attercliffe Road, Sheffield to a £180m+ turnover business employing more than 1,800 people across the world.

Under founder and managing director Chris Rea, the company has recorded near constant growth over the four decades, investing in wide ranging innovation including the development of its modular range of seals and processes that ensures customers receive the same product no matter where they are in the world. In addition, the business has been lauded for its community work, extensive apprenticeship programme and education outreach - which runs from primary schools right through to doctorate level.

The 40th anniversary celebrations kicked off with a gala dinner at Sheffield City Hall on April 1 where staff and special guests gathered to mark the company's achievements, and thank all their employees for their continued support.

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Each AESSEAL branch across the world (it operates from operates from 230 locations in 104 countries) will also be organising and holding a regional event for its staff and local customers.

Chris Rea, founder of AESSEAL (pictured), said: "We are very proud of what has been achieved over the last 40 years, from humble beginnings to what is today recognised as a global, market-leading business, which employs hundreds of people and also gives back to the local community in the shape of sponsorships and education partnerships. We were keen to not only mark this milestone anniversary and acknowledge the people that have contributed to its success, but also to put our flag in the sand and outline our plans to continue to grow and innovate."

Chris Rea purchased Aurora Engineers Supplies (where the "AES" comes from) in 1979, as a small distributor of mechanical seals, with ten employees and an annual turnover of £400,000.

By 1983 AESSEAL built its first manufacturing site on Mangham Road, Rotherham. Over the following years the mechanical seal range expanded, turnover grew to £2m and the company received the first of its 13 Queen's Awards. Export sales grew, overseas offices were opened, and turnover increased year on year.

Rea added: "Our achievements can also be attributed to our absolute commitment to continuous improvement – for both ourselves and our customers. After four decades of continued product development we believe we are in a very strong position - with a range of differentiated and enhanced patented technology for almost all Wet and Dry Gas Seal applications - and that we can secure as large a percentage of global applications as any other global mechanical seal supplier.

"Going forward our development will focus on emerging technologies and connecting the group's consultancy and reliability business digitally to its physical product range, in order to offer the best possible service to customers."

AESSEAL website

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News: United Caps seals planning approval for new Rotherham factory

United Caps, an international manufacturer of caps and closures, has received approval from the planning board at Rotherham Council for its multimillion pound new facility that will manufacture beverage and dairy closures - overcoming issues with its impact on neighbouring Bluebell Wood Hospice.

Rothbiz reported last year that the Luxembourg-based multinational had selected a site at Dinnington for its first UK location and the plans are for phased development on a 4.1 hectare site on the former Dinnington Colliery site.

United Caps has purchased the land from developer St Paul's Developments who produced the masterplan for the wider area, and have also sold adjacent plots of land to other developers for industrial development.

The initial facility will be 54,000 sq ft, with an option to expand to 215,000 sq ft as business growth demands. Four phases of between 50,000 sq ft to 60,000 are proposed. Each phase will add an additional bay incorporating further factory and warehouse accommodation. The offices, complete with a green living wall, will be constructed fully as part of the first phase.

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During the course of the application the layout of the site and building has been redesigned to have regard to the presence of Bluebell Wood Hospice in an attempt to reduce the impact of the proposal. The loading bays and 24 silos, that hold the plastic and are filled twice a day, have been moved from the front to the rear, screened from the hospice by the building itself.

Rob Morrell, principal planner at Rotherham Council explained to the planning board that: "Overall, the principal of the development is acceptable - it's industrial and business use allocation so it meets the policy requirements. The building is industrial in appearance but it has got to be functional for the proposed use.

"There has been negotiation to reduce the height of the building and move the office to the side nearest the hospice. Consideration has been given to the neighbouring use, both in terms of the visual appearance of the building and the noise that could possibly be generated, to ensure that there is no adverse impact."

The facility would be in 24 hour use but HGV movements (up to 40 a day) are to be limited to between 8am and 5pm on weekdays. Traffic assessments have been carried out and it was detailed that the manufacturing process would not create noxious fumes. Conditions around noise are also included.

The hospice, a local ward member and Dinnington St John's Town Council objected to the plans, which would create up to 120 jobs.

Nigel Hancock, assistant planning manager at Rotherham Council, added: "The hospice is a sensitive receptor. What I think that this company has done is shown that it can act as a good neighbour. It recognises that there is that sensitive use next door. It has put in significant mitigation measures to overcome those noise issues and is happy to accept very restrictive conditions that might actually preclude another user going on to that portion of the site.

"The balance is just about right for us."

The board subsequently voted to approve the plans.

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Formerly known as Procap, the company is a European leader in the development, production and sale of plastic caps and closures. It employs around 529 staff and had a turnover of €137m at the end of 2017. 2018 saw the company produce ten billion closures in a year for the first time.

A preferred partner to the world's leading companies, United Caps produces custom designed speciality closures for the likes of Arla, Danone, Unilever, L'Oréal and Pfizer.

United Caps website

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News: Rotherham NHS subsidiary talks halted

Rotherham Hospital bosses have shelved plans to form an NHS subsidiary company.

Rothbiz reported in October on consultants, Grant Thornton, being awarded a contract for support in setting up a Wholly Owned Subsidiary Business of The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.

Under severe financial pressure, some NHS trusts in England are seeking to save money by creating wholly owned subsidiaries, also known as subcos, companies to deliver services, including facilities and estates. Unions have called the move, "backdoor privatisation" and warned that trusts use the subcos to employ staff without NHS terms and conditions.

NHS Improvement, the national regulator, ordered a temporary stop asking trusts to "pause any current plans to create new subsidiaries or change existing subsidiaries" adding that it will consult on a new regulatory approach in October and issue new guidance.

Having helped organise meetings between hospital staff, union representatives and the Trust's chief executive and chair to outline their concerns, local MP, John Healey says that the plans have now been shelved.

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John Healey, Wentworth and Dearne MP, said: "I welcome the decision by Rotherham NHS Foundation trust to call a halt to the proposals, it is sound sense for our hospital services and staff who work there.

"It's thanks to the hard work of NHS staff and unions who, together with MPs, have forced the hospital board to think again on the plans which had the potential to create a two-tier workforce.

"The fact that hospitals are even having to consider such complicated schemes to save money shows how stretched NHS finances have become."

Lynn Monk, branch secretary of UNISON Rotherham Health said: "The UNISON branch are very grateful for the support we received from John as well as the wider public of Rotherham in opposing the transfer of staff to the Wholly Owned Subsidiary.

"They realised that it would undermine the staff pay and pensions but importantly could have resulted in the wholesale transfer of many more staff out of the NHS, privatisation by the back door.

"UNISON members stood firm against it,‎ bolstered by the support from John and his colleagues."

Rotherham NHS Trust website

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News: New chapter for Rotherham's Central Library?

Rotherham Council is seeking views from residents and library users about the possibility of moving the Central Library back to a more central location in Rotherham town centre.

Currently based within cultural space at the Council's Riverside House, which opened in 2011, the central library holds the largest collection and range of lending materials in the borough. It was previously housed on Drummond Street alongside former council offices that were demolished to make way for the Tesco Extra.

The Council has now said that it is considering moving the library back across town into a new community/cultural hub that could be located opposite Tesco in the Markets, which is due to be developed as part of the Town Centre Masterplan.

Over the next four weeks both Central Library users and non-library users are being asked to go online to complete a survey and submit their views to the Council. Anyone visiting the library can also complete the survey with the help of library staff.

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Cllr. Sarah Allen, cabinet member for Cleaner, Greener Communities at Rotherham Council, said: "Libraries form an integral part of our community and it's important we make them the best we can for the future.

"During the consultation process on the Cultural Strategy, we received a number of comments from people who said they would make more use of the library if it was in a more central location.

"Local businesses have also told us that they’re keen to see more cultural and leisure facilities in the town.

"Moving the Central Library to a new purpose-built hub would enable the Council to create a facility which would be home to a variety of services and functions which would benefit the whole community.

"We're asking people to give us their thoughts and tell us which of its services they make use of. We'd also like to know about what services aren't currently offered by the library but which they'd like to see."

The authority had been hoping to make savings by subletting part of its offices but is reporting a pressure of £140,000 for its current budget in respect of a saving to let office space at Riverside House, as a result of the proposed tenant withdrawing.

The Council's Library Strategy for 2016-2019 stated that the number of visitors had reduced in some libraries due to many factors, including relocating the Central Library to the edge of the town centre, an increase in the availability of low cost e-books, many people using the internet instead of libraries to find information quickly and also significantly because of a reduction in the level of marketing and outreach.

Analysis from the national Libraries Taskforce from last year showed that Rotherham was one of only 31 library services that had increased their visit numbers over the year since 2015-16.

Rotherham Council is leading on a new cultural strategy and is also set to undertake consultation on the Library Strategy and future service delivery. The library service is currently recruiting for volunteers.

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News: Flybe take off jets from DSA base

Flybe, Europe's largest regional airline, has announced that it is withdrawing jet operations from Doncaster Sheffield, the regional airport for the Sheffield city region (SCR).

The company is currently being bought by a consortium led by Virgin Atlantic having made losses struggling with Air Passenger Duty and uncertainty over Brexit. It has also struggled with a reported £80m debt, mainly from leasing expensive jets.

As part of its strategy to reduce capacity, this week Flybe announced that it would return all of its 118-seat Embraer 195 aircraft to its lessors - a move that would see jet flights from DSA cease with effect from the start of the 2019-20 Winter programme. The base to service its jet services will also close.

It is expected that flights serviced on the smaller Bombardier Q400 aircraft will continue. These turboprop planes are used for the shorter flights such as Newquay, Jersey and Belfast.

Christine Ourmières-Widener, CEO at Flybe, said: "Our fleet reduction has always been core to improving our profitability. We are committed to assisting all our affected employees across the impacted Flybe bases. We remain fully committed to Exeter, Cardiff and Doncaster airports and will continue to offer a comprehensive choice of regional and European destinations operated by our 78-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft."

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A spokesperson for DSA, said: "Doncaster Sheffield Airport is forecasting record passenger numbers for the year ahead, over 15% growth. It will be the airports busiest year on record since opening in 2005. With an additional 250,000 seats already on sale and 11 new routes launched in the past year, passenger's numbers will soar to in excess of 1.4m making it one of the fastest growing airports in the UK in recent years.

"Flybe have operated services at various levels from Doncaster Sheffield Airport since 2006. Flybe have recently changed ownership with future plans to restructure including a move away from jet flying to stabilise the business across their network. We are working closely with Flybe, and expect them to continue operating at DSA beyond the current summer and winter 19/20 schedule which will be on sale shortly.

"With the launch of our new long-haul services with TUI to Sanford Florida just weeks away we are extremely optimistic about growth in the year ahead and beyond."

An announcement in 2015 that Flybe would base two Embraer Jet aircraft at DSA was hailed as a "transformational deal" for the airport as it meant that an additional 500,000 seats would be on offer.

Flybe website
DSA website

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News: Gulliver's getting involved in Rotherham community

Phase 1 of construction at Gulliver's Valley is well underway and the family firm behind the £38m development has outlined the community impact of the project.

Gulliver's has bought land adjacent to Rother Valley Country Park that was previously an area of opencast mineworkings. Following on from theme parks in Warrington, Matlock Bath and Milton Keynes, Gulliver's Valley is to be a year round destination aimed at 2 - 13 year olds and include a theme park hub, woodland adventure centre, ecology and education centre, lodges, hotels and a holiday village.

Writing a blog for the Sheffield city region (SCR) to mark English Toursim Week, Julie Dalton, managing director at Gulliver's Theme Parks and Resorts discussed some of the added features of Gulliver's Valley to create a theme park designed especially for families with young children aged two to 13 with a difference.

Gully's Dream Village is a brand-new initiative; creating a community where children with life threatening or life limiting illnesses can be given the opportunity to enjoy respite in a magical environment with their families free of charge.

Keen to embrace the beautiful natural surroundings that will encase the theme park resort, an education and ecology centre that includes forest classrooms, woodland crafts and outdoor learning adventures will be located on-site. Multi-use nature trials and outdoor gyms, open to the community free of charge, will encourage people to participate in physical activity and connect the resort with the wider Rother Valley area.

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Dalton added: "Being located in the Sheffield city region means that Gulliver's Valley will be situated amongst a further 68,000 businesses who are all striving to see the region thrive. Big investments are underway to continuously improve the region and Gulliver's Valley is looking forward to reaping the benefits of economic growth.

"We are big fans of other family attractions in the local area and are looking forward to working closely with them – we've already formed a relationship with Magna Science Adventure and we’re big fans of what they do! Gulliver's share a similar ethos with Magna, in that we all want to encourage families to get up, get out, get active, and enjoy value-for-money family days out; with a focus on providing education and adventures for everyone to enjoy!

"Gulliver's Valley is currently undergoing Phase 1 of construction – things will be coming up from the ground and really taking shape! We are looking forward to getting more involved with the local community in and around Rotherham in the coming months."

£1.5m of funding via the SCR was recently approved to support the first phase of the development.

Gulliver's Valley website

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News: Get up to Speed skills event inspires future engineers

South Yorkshire hosted the largest private sector skills showcase event last week, which was attended by over 3,000 young people from 69 schools and involved over 90 businesses.

And the organisers are already gearing up for next year's Get up to Speed (GUTS) event, which will again be held at Magna Science Adventure Centre on March 25 2020. This will also be the event's tenth Anniversary.

The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing) event was designed to inspire students from 8 to 25 years about careers in science, technology and the manufacturing industries, through a day of fun and interactive activities. Pupils attended from 55 South Yorkshire schools, whilst some pupils travelled from as far away as Newcastle!

Held at Magna in Rotherham, Get up to Speed involved exhibitors from industries as diverse as space technologies, medical implants, aerospace, acoustics, construction, rail, water and climate management and postural support. Companies, such as CNC manufacturer Mazak attended from as far afield as Worcester, whilst dozens of businesses attended from the Yorkshire region.

The motor industry for example was represented by the Sheffield Made Simplex 1921 automobile, right up to a McLaren and Tesla Model X Falcon Wing demonstrating its full dance mode.

Guest speakers included 24 year old Kate Turner who, as well as being a fully qualified train driver, is head of planning and the youngest ever senior manager in DB Cargo (UK) Rail based in Doncaster. Dr Rahul Mandal, research associate at the University of Sheffield's Nuclear Advanced Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) in Rotherham and the 2018 winner of the Great British Bake off (pictured) who was explaining that "if you can do baking you can do science and engineering and if you are doing engineering you can bake!"

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The day, organised by the work-wise Foundation and supported by businesses and other local support organisations whilst fun and interactive has a serious purpose as CEO of the work-wise Foundation, John Barber explains: "Get up to Speed aims to play its part in growing our wealth creating skills base to help us achieve our economic and social ambitions. It was created by industry to introduce, inspire, inform and interact with our next generation of scientist, engineers, designers and business leaders. It aims not only to reach out to young people but also those who influence and advise them so they also understand what's out there not only now but also what's coming in the future."

The event was sponsored by Liberty Speciality Steels, AESSEAL plc, Cooper Brown Enterprises, Doncasters Bramah and Capita.

Mick Hood, HR director at Liberty Speciality Steels, who were headline sponsor of the event, said: "It's simple for me, I truly believe the success of a business relies on its people. The Get Up To Speed event plays a vital part in building awareness in young men and women in education, their parents and their educators of what a career in manufacturing looks like and the underpinning STEM subjects required. The event grows every year and Liberty is proud to be part of it in its ninth year."

Marie Cooper, managing director at Cooper Brown Enterprises, added: "The whole day was action-packed and filled with great opportunities for young people to be enthused about engineering, science and technology careers – and they were! There was a real buzz of excitement around the event, which lasted the whole day! There were many more female students attending this year too, which was great to see."

Two business/education competitions were judged at Get up to Speed, including the Innovation contest, sponsored by Institute of Engineering and Technology, for which the students worked on a real business challenge. The winner was King Ecgbert School. Gulliver's held the Gully Fest wonderful world primary challenge which involved young people designing new rides and attractions for the 250 acre theme park which is being built in Rotherham. The winners of this competition were Wales School.

Get Up To Speed website

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News: Plans pitch up for houses on Rotherham sports site

Developers are looking to score big with plans for over 100 new houses on a site in Rotherham that was previously used for sports.

Newett Homes is proposing a high-quality residential development comprising 124 dwellings on land known as The Pitches at Stag.

The acre site on Wickersley Road has previously been used for football, cricket, hockey, tennis and bowls but it has been vacant for approximately five years, during which it has not been available for public or private use. The site also includes a club house.

Plans, drawn up by JRP and Quad Consulting, are for 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom dwellings and provides 31 affordable homes (24.8%) on site plus plans for landscaping, public open space and associated infrastructure. The former sports pavilion/clubhouse building will be demolished to facilitate the proposed vehicular access.

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Most of the site is allocated as urban green space and was promoted as a residential allocation in the development of the borough's local plan by the current site owners but this was rejected by Rotherham Council on the basis that "there is demonstrable demand for sporting facilities on site."

Applicants believe that "the evidence which the Council relied upon to justify the allocation was weak and limited weight should be afforded to the allocation in decision-making on that basis."

A public consultation took place in January with around 100 people attending and the plans have been amended to address concerns.

There has been some opposition to the plans and a group of local residents submitted an application to Rotherham Council with the aim of nominating the site as an Asset of Community Value but the applicants say that it does not meet the definition as it has not been used for over five years.

Applicants are proposing that the loss of playing pitches as a result of the development will be fully mitigated via improvements to existing provision elsewhere in the borough. An initial figure of £300,000 has been devised through a section 106 agreement and the development will also be eligible for the borough's Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

With one access road onto Wickersley Road, a transport assessment concludes that "generated traffic on the surrounding area has been shown to be negligible and it is therefore concluded that the proposals could be accommodated without resulting in a detrimental or severe impact upon the local highway network."

Newett Homes website

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