News: Update on Droppingwell tip

The Environment Agency (EA) and Rotherham Council have provided updates on the controversial tip reopening at Droppingwell where the operator has not yet completed works to prepare the site for full operation and to fulfil the requirements of the Environmental Permit.

When landfilling operations ceased at the Kimberworth site, the planning permission and environmental permit allowing landfilling activity in January 1978 remained in place. The EA granted a permit variation in 2016 which allows for 150,000 tonnes of inert waste to be imported, and 55,000 tonnes of waste for restoration, each year.

On site works have been temporarily paused by the operator, Grange Landfill Limited, due to priorities elsewhere, and plant has been removed from site. The operator has not yet confirmed as to when works may recommence at Grange Landfill, but the Environment Agency anticipates that the operator will recommence activities on site early in 2022.

An update from the EA reads: "Once all engineering works to comply with the permit conditions are complete the operator will submit a validation report to the Environment Agency. If we are satisfied that all conditions have been met to the required standard, the Operator will be given permission to operate the landfill site.

"Please note that no waste disposal activities will commence until our Regulatory Specialists are fully satisfied that the landfill infrastructure has been engineered to the relevant standards."

Opponents, including residents, users of nearby football and golf facilities, the council, and the local MP, have raised concerns regarding traffic, noise and other impacts on the local area which has changed since the original plans were approved in the 1950s.

A council report shows that the authority served a Planning Contravention Notice (PCN) to Grange Landfill Limited in September 2021, keen to find out how they intend to comply with the conditions attached to the 1958 planning permission, specifically to condition 3 which stated that "tipping operations shall be so arranged that not more than 5 acres of the land referred to shall be out of cultivation at any one period."

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Local residents were concerned that Condition 3 was being breached during the preparation of the site for the new tipping operations.

However, the report adds that "the Council does not have any evidence to suggest that there has been a breach of planning control at this time but that this would not prevent enforcement action in the future should there be a breach of the conditions and it was deemed expedient to do so."

The position follows on from the Government confirming that it will not intervene in the planning issue at Droppingwell and use powers to revoke or discontinue the planning permission and to fund any compensation claims.

As well as planning issues, the report provides an update on the access road to the Grange Landfill site which is on land owned by the Council. Risks have been raised by visitors to Millmoor Juniors Football Club and the Council continues to keep its legal position under review.

On public rights of way situated across the Grange Landfill site, the Secretary of State has been asked to make a decision regarding a number of claimed rights of way.

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News: HSE inspection campaign sheds light on health and safety issues in South Yorkshire

Twenty-two inspectors inspected 71 business in Sheffield and Rotherham as part of a week of action in response to a sharp increase in the number of serious and fatal incidents noted by its inspectors within the last five years.

Focusing on conducting inspections on businesses where workers regularly undertake welding and use metalworking fluids, a high proportion of which are based in the area, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that 65% of businesses visited were in breach of the law.

Of those visited 46 companies needed to make improvements to better protect the health, safety and wellbeing of workers in metal fabrication, engineering, general manufacturing and waste and recycling sectors.

During the course of the week inspectors served three prohibition notices and 31 improvement notices. Examples of some of the breaches found included poor controls of welding fumes and metal working fluids.

In addition to where notices have been served, HSE has formally written to a further 23 local businesses to compel them to improve various aspects of health and safety.

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Andrew Denison, Acting Head of Operations said: “Protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of workers is of paramount importance and at the heart of what we do. Local inspectors have witnessed an alarming rise in the number of fatalities and injuries in the Sheffield and Rotherham area in the last five years.

"The high proportion of breaches identified during this initiative indicates that the risks were not being adequately controlled. Inspectors’ have taken robust proportionate action to deal with serious risks and to ensure companies are complying with the law.

"I hope businesses will take note and understand that they will be held to account if they fail in their responsibilities."

In 2020 around 12,000 people in the UK died from lung diseases likely to be linked to past exposure from work. There is scientific evidence to suggest that exposure to welding fumes can cause lung cancer and exposure to metalworking fluids can cause a range of lung diseases.

There were 12 worker deaths reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – under the “RIDDOR” regulations – in Sheffield and Rotherham between 2014 and 2021 and a further 594 serious injuries reported over the same period.

HSE website

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News: Early stage plans for live music venue at Guest & Chrimes site

Regenerating the historic Guest & Chrimes site in Rotherham has always been a tough gig, and now new concepts are being talked about in hushed tones.

Partners are working in harmony to finely tune ideas that would give music fans something to cheer at the derelict site. Topping the bill is a potentially unique venue with a capacity of up to 800, including a festival area.

Rothbiz reported last year that the plan for the Grade-II listed site was to use £4.5m of Town Deal funding to create a micro-brewery and fan zone at the former foundry which sits alongside Rotherham United's New York Stadium.

Described by those working on the proposals as a special site, previous plans have been hampered by high costs and the Grade-II listing.

With the backing of the Towns Fund, the development of a new building and new public spaces on the site could see 16,000 sq ft of new commercial space created alongside 0.26 hectares of new public realm.

The historic frontage was demolished following a fire but new plans would save the landmark water tower and address the existing building.

Consultants brought in to work up the scheme are talking with a brewery and venue operator, and the football club, who are said to be "on board with the plans."

Council minutes explain that the proposals include looking at the existing building (the tower being Grade II listed) as a venue with a capacity of up to 800, to include a festival area. Used as a fan zone on matchdays, this could include a micro-brewery and a coffee bar by day and music / entertainment in the evening.

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Simon Moss, assistant director for planning, regeneration and transportation at Rotherham Council, updated councillors on the site at the end of 2021. He said: "It has been a long-standing challenge, I think it is fair to say. The Guest & Chrimes building is a really interesting site, a huge amount of affection I think, and pride, in the heritage of the building, with good reason. But challenges, for sure, about what's the right kind of use for that site sitting in between the football club and the council offices. Challenges around how you address the heritage challenges whilst also trying to design a viable scheme.

"There's some very early concept images following the Towns Fund based around a fan zone which will be complementary to the football club and complementary to the town centre in terms of that leisure economy. Also thinking about potential music venue space and different options that could come together to try and make a development viable on that site."

Levelling Up Funding has also been secured for the area to deliver a riverside walk and improved public realm alongside new housing developments and a new bridge [potentially a Bailey bridge] to link Sheffield Road to the Guest & Chrimes site.

Empty since 1999, the site was purchased by Rotherham Council for £2.6m from developers, Evans in 2010 and is now controlled by the football club which has a very long lease from the Council.

English Heritage (now Historic England) "strongly objected" to 2012 plans to demolish the former factory and an application to "de-list" the Guest & Chrimes building was submitted in 2019.

The firm manufactured sluice valves, fire hydrants and water meters, and following a very large order from Spain, the company moved to the present site in 1857. The significance of the complex was deemed greater than previously thought, given the importance of brass manufacturing to Rotherham.

Towns Fund schemes are set to be completed in 2024.

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News: Rotherham hospitality and leisure businesses can now apply for grants up to £6,000

Hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses in Rotherham are now able to apply for the Government’s Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant which could offer them up to £6,000 in support grant.

The grant is to support businesses that offer in-person services that were affected during the Omicron COVID-19 outbreak. It applies to businesses where the main service and activity takes place in fixed rate-paying premises in the hospitality, leisure, and accommodation sectors. The business does need to be the rate payer to apply.

Grants are being offered per premise, and the amount paid is varied by rateable value of each eligible premises. The criteria for which businesses are eligible – and those which are not – has been set by the Government.

To apply, businesses will need to complete an application form and must provide the required evidence. You can get further information about what you need to include in your application, and to submit an application, at www.rotherham.gov.uk/business-economy/financial-support-business/2.

Unfortunately, the Council is unable to make payments for this grant without an application. This has been made clear in the guidance from Government and the Council has no discretion.

Businesses such as cafes, bars, restaurants, boarding houses, hotels and B&Bs, soft play centres or areas, and wedding venues, can apply.

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But the grant is not for businesses such as gyms, sporting or fitness classes, personal care, or businesses who predominantly offer a takeaway service such as food kiosks or cafes who generate 50% or more of their income through a takeaway service.

Applications should be submitted as soon as possible. No new claims will be accepted after Saturday 26 February 2022 and all applications must be completed with all supportive evidence by Monday 28 February. Any unresolved claims outstanding on 1 March 2022 will be closed as per Government’s guidelines.

Rotherham’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Community Safety and Finance, Cllr Saghir Alam, said: “The Council is pleased to be administrating this Government scheme to help businesses in Rotherham. The pandemic has put a lot of strain on many hardworking businesses, with the hospitality and leisure sectors particularly hard hit. I know that this scheme will offer many business owners some relief after a very difficult year of operating. We want to see this funding claimed and retained in Rotherham to support our economy and local jobs but it is time limited, so, if you are eligible, please do not delay and apply as soon as possible.”

In addition, the Council is responsible for designing its own scheme for discretionary relief.

In March 2021 the Government announced a new COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) of £1.5 billion. The fund will be available to support those businesses affected by the pandemic but that are ineligible for existing support linked to business rates. However, Government only announced Rotherham Council’s funding allocation of £4.8m and the detailed scheme guidance in December 2021.

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News: The Rotherham company helping Brompton reinvent the bicycle

There are key parts of amazing things that are made in Rotherham - Rolls-Royce engines, Stanley knives, McLaren supercars. Here's one more to add to the list - Brompton bikes.

Brompton Bicycle, a British manufacturer of iconic folding bicycles has launched its lightest bike ever, and it has been made possible by CW Fletcher, a precision engineering firm based in Rotherham.

CW Fletcher supplies a diverse range of industries, including aerospace, nuclear and space exploration. Its "Sterling Works" is part of a 9.5-acre combined site located at Wales Bar in Rotherham where high-strength, lightweight assemblies in ordinary and exotic metallic materials are fabricated and high value-added components are machined.

The precision engineers told Brompton that their folding bike could be made in titanium when others said it couldn't.

The product of three years of research and development, Brompton has brought its fold to life in titanium by forging new construction techniques, designing over 150 components and building a dedicated factory in Rotherham in order to create the ultra-light Brompton T Line.

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The two companies created Brompton Fletcher seven years ago and have previously created titanium components such as forks and rear ends for the Brompton Superlight.

Now at the facility whole frames are precision-engineered in titanium, then orbital and tig-welded for strength. In Brompton's London home, the T Line is finished with new componentry and tuned for the city, setting a new benchmark for folding bikes in lightness, ride performance and robustness.

Using titanium means that the T Line frame weighs 37% less than the original all-steel equivalent and is just as strong. Weighing 7.45 kg in total, it is comparable to a carbon road bike.

Paul Williams, chief operations officer explained the challenges Brompton overcame to create T Line: "Whilst Titanium ore is a relatively abundant material, turning it into something usable for bike manufacture takes an extraordinary amount of effort. It proves worth it though, as it has the highest strength to density ratio of any metallic element, along with great impact strength and corrosion resistance, making it the perfect material to create the ultimate lightweight folding bike, able to withstand the punishing impacts of the city.

"Working with Titanium takes a high level of knowledge, experience and diligence, so finding the right partner who shared our vision and belief in what could be achieved with Titanium was critical. Our relationship with C W Fletcher, based in Sheffield started over seven years ago and they have a long history in manufacturing going back over 100 years. With them we built Brompton Fletcher, a dedicated company with a purpose-built production facility and skilled team able to work with this demanding material and fabricate these fantastic titanium frames."

Adam Cox, manufacturing engineer at Brompton Fletcher (pictured, left), said: "All the frames we make are handcrafted and handmade. We take titanium tube, titanium plates, and weld them into frames that then get shipped down to London and built into the T Line bike.

"As a metal, titanium can be quite difficult to work with, whether you're machining it, rolling it, bending it, or in our case, welding it."

Matt Kirk, production lead at Brompton Fletcher, added: "It's not like steel so we have to form it and build it in a different way. We have to play with different wall thicknesses and different bend angles, and with the way we bend stuff, springback.

"It makes you proud that you've worked hard to make that weld as good as you possibly can. It's so rewarding."

Brompton website
CW Flecther website

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News: Rotherham firms invited to supply chain event

An event is being held next week to help South Yorkshire businesses understand what social value is and why it's important to businesses in the supply chain.

Social value and sustainability are fast becoming purchasing priorities for consumers alongside price and convenience, and supply chains are under intense scrutiny as a result.

The South Yorkshire Supply Chain Managers and the Social Value Portal team are hosting an online event on January 25.

Social value can be a narrow or broad term referring to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities of an organisation, such as procurement policies or standards and values set by an organisation or project on how to address socio-economic difference within the local community. It is also used to describe how to achieve greater value through whatever an entity is engaged in, for the benefit of the wider society or particular groups.

The event is free and is open to all businesses within the South Yorkshire Region – Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. It is part of the South Yorkshire Supply Chain Support Scheme, a new, free service aiming to enhance the trading opportunities in the region.

Businesses can book a place on the South Yorkshire supply chain event here.

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Four Supply Chain Managers have been brought in as part of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s (MCA's) Renewal Action Plan (RAP), which has been developed in close partnership with the South Yorkshire business community, councils, universities and other partners. The RAP sets out a roadmap for how the region can put itself on the path to recovering from the massive economic disruption the pandemic has caused.

SME businesses can access advice through the Supply Chain Managers on a one-to-one basis, through their local authority. The experts have been brought in to research and bring forward tender, sales and supply chain opportunities for South Yorkshire businesses.

Neil Wilkinson is the supply chain manager for Rotherham

Chair of South Yorkshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership James Muir, explains: “There are many challenges to the supply chain at the moment: the energy crisis, increasing costs when buying from overseas, pressure on businesses to be more sustainable and the impact of Brexit. These highly experienced Supply Chain Managers are here to advise and support local businesses in sourcing goods, suppliers and staff locally or within the wider region.

“We’re looking forward to helping to bring buyers and suppliers much closer together in South Yorkshire for mutual benefit.”

Recommended reading: How To Avoid These Classic Mistakes For Small Business Owners The MCA is also developing a Social Value Contract for South Yorkshire having chosen to ensure that investment and economic growth goes together with inclusion. It is committed to the principle that investment has to return good social and economic value.

Growth Hub website

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News: £4m to revamp Rotherham's towns and villages and what it'll be spent on

Details have been revealed on projects that are set to benefit from a new £4m Towns and Villages Improvement Fund that aims to help reinvigorate town and village centres across the Rotherham borough.

The fund, which was supported by Rotherham Council’s Cabinet as part of its 2021/22 capital budget, will be used to brighten up neglected areas in smaller town and village centres, helping to restore confidence and a little civic pride in communities and also support local businesses.

The funding is due to be prioritised and spent in places that have not benefited from recent investments.

An update to Cabinet shows that projects have been put forward by Ward Councillors in consultation with their communities, including improving shopping parades, parking and green space.

Delivering scalable improvement works across local villages and townships, the overall aim of the scheme is "to work with neighbourhoods across the borough, to enhance their lived environment, through a variety of improvement projects, focused on town and village centres."

A framework has been devised for the capital scheme where projects will be allocated funds between April 2021 and March 2024.

Local councillors have been encouraged to act as community champions, engaging with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to create projects that will have a positive impact within their communities.

A number of schemes have been put forward and separated into four categories, dependent on meeting the objectives of the funding, the complexity of the scheme proposed and the potential cost of the project.

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Schemes coming forward first, seen as the least complex, timely and meeting the objectives of the scheme, are:

- Creation of off-road parking next to Brinsworth Lane shops
- Improvement to the area outside Ridgeway Convenience Store at East Herringthorpe
- Green link corridor between Greasbrough Park and Greasbrough Recreation Ground
- Off street parking at Laburnum Parade shops, Maltby, utilising and improving existing green space
- Improvement to area outside of Masefield Road shops, West Melton (pictured)
- Refurbishment of Broadway shopping parade, Swinton

A number of other schemes include land and buildings that are privately owned and require more work. These schemes focus on The Pastures at Todwick, Wellgate on the edge of the town centre, Ravenfield Crossroads, St. Johns Green in Kimberworth Park, the Swinton Bridge area, Maltby High Street, Whiston Village Centre, Thurcroft High Street and Bawtry Road in Wickersley.

Recommended reading: How Do Leading Sites Keep Online Slots Fresh?

Maltby town centre is undergoing a masterplanning exercise which should highlight projects for this fund.

Much of the recent regeneration investment in the borough has been in the town centre with Council funding joined by money from other pots such as the Government's Future High Street Fund and Town Deal. Swinton town centre has also been lined up for larger scale regeneration.

Proposals for Dinnington and Wath were turned down by the Government as part of its Levelling Up Fund but they are being included in bids to further rounds of the fund.

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News: More flats planned in Rotherham town centre

Plans have been submitted to convert a former pool hall and retail unit into an apartment block in Rotherham town centre.

15-21 Doncaster Gate is a three storey red brick building in a mix of styles that previously contained Riley's sports bar / snooker and pool facility.

Located at a corner junction between Doncaster Gate, Howard Street and Percy Street, the 17,000 sq ft property sold at auction last year from a guide price of £225,000 and now the new owners have unveiled plans that could see 26 new apartments created over the three floors.

The first application, from DBG Contractors Ltd, is for the conversion of the snooker hall to 20 residential apartments, leaving the potential for the ground floor to continue as three commercial units.

A further application is for a change of use of the ground floor - mainly a long-vacant retail unit - from commercial to residential use. Six more apartments are shown.

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The plans, drawn up by PADD consultants, state: "The proposals aim to utilise the potential of the site and upgrade and refurbish the existing building. Minor architectural interventions are proposed to the external elevations to allow the building to function as apartments and to improve the external aesthetics of the site.

"The apartments layouts work with the existing footprint and internal structural walls and columns. The proposed apartments are designed to be functional, adaptable homes all with open plan kitchen /living/ dining rooms. The apartments utilise existing window openings (some are to be extended) which provide good levels of natural lighting to all habitable rooms."

The site was initially used as a department store but the Southern part of the property was identified within the Rotherham Town Centre Masterplan as a "detractor to quality."

The application explains that the existing building is currently falling into disrepair and requires refurbishment particularly to the external elevations.

The plans add: "The windows are in need of replacement and the external cladding panels are outdated and lack unity. Whilst reconfiguring the internal layout the proposed scheme will also improve the elevational treatment of the building."

Stone effect cladding is proposed to the northern and southern buildings which will "tie the two buildings together and give them a coordinated identity."

On the ground floor, the Howard Street elevation would be reconfigured to remove an unsightly roller shutter door and create an entrance to the apartments in the centre of the northern building.

The most recent tenants, Pot8's, have recently submitted an application that would enable them to relocate across town and create a new pool hall on Main Street.

Images: Auction House West Yorkshire

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News: Plans in for a further 200+ houses on former Rotherham greenbelt

A second set of plans have been submitted for a large residential development on former greenbelt land in Rotherham. If they are granted it would see outline approval for over 200 houses, joining 450 already approved nearby.

Rothbiz has previously reported that landowners had worked together to secure a residential allocation for the nearly 50 acre site off Lathe Road / Worry Goose Lane / Sheep Cote Road 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.

The latest outline plans are for a site at land off Shrogswood Road and include a residential development of up to 217 homes and means of access.

Outline plans for a 450 house development on adjacent land at Whiston were approved by Rotherham Council's planning board in 2020.

JVH Town Planning have put together the latest application for E V Waddington Ltd and plans state: "The proposed development is for the residential development of 8.83 hectares of land and includes open spaces landscaping and sustainable urban drainage. 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."

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Vehicle access is set to be off Shrogswood Road which currently becomes a private road and leads to the golf club. A transport assessment is included with the outline application.

Drainage is set to be addressed with basins and ponds as part of a sustainable urban drainage system.

A percentage of affordable housing would be expected with a development this size but plans state: "At this time it is not possible to specify the exact number or locations of these units as this information is not known at this outline stage."

A number of objections have already been received, as they were for the 450 house proposals, with flooding and traffic being big issues for residents.

For example, studies have concluded that multimillion pound improvements are necessary at the nearby Worrrygoose roundabout. The junction already operates at capacity with queues. A condition was attached to the earlier 450 house application to include road widening, bus lanes and new crossings here.

In the 217 house proposal is a scheme which includes entry widening on the B6410 Worrygoose Lane approach to the roundabout, plus the potential introduction of Keep Clear markings at the junction with Lathe Road to prevent queues impacting on the operation of that junction.

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News: TV retailer set to grow from new Rotherham premises

Electrical retailer, Crampton and Moore, has secured a seven-figure funding package from HSBC UK to support expansion.

The family-run retailer of televisions and home appliances, has used funding from HSBC UK to acquire the 40,000 sq ft former JTF building in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported last year that JTF Mega Discount Warehouse had closed its stores, including one in Rotherham, having collapsed into administration.

Crampton and Moore will use the Catcliffe site as a new office space, warehouse and large showroom for its expanding range of products.

The funding from HSBC UK has enabled the business to diversify its product range and helped it achieve more efficient operations. The aim is to improve its delivery and installation service for customers through the expansion of its fleet.

The South Yorkshire company has grown turnover by 20% over the last two years and is now forecasting to double this in the next 24 months. It is set to hire five more employees once the move to Catcliffe is complete and will seek to bring in more delivery drivers as part of its ongoing expansion plans.

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Robert Moore, managing director at Crampton and Moore, said: "The relocation of our operations marks a major milestone for the business and means we can now progress with our exciting plans for further growth and development.

"We're grateful to HSBC UK for providing funding which helps us service the huge increases in product demand, whilst ensuring we retain our unique offering that combines the convenience of online shopping with our personal customer service. We're looking forward to a successful 2022 with a new state-of-the art office, warehouse and showroom facility."

David Leonard, relationship director at HSBC UK, added: "We're delighted to be funding the relocation of Crampton & Moore: a trusted family-run business which continues to put customers and the local market at the forefront of its plans. Having outgrown its existing premises, the business can now put its expansion strategy into practice, creating jobs for the South Yorkshire region."

Crampton and Moore website
HSBC website

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News: MTL Advanced wins armoured steel contract

Rotherham-based MTL Advanced has been chosen to supply armoured steel for the production of the UK’s MoD Boxer Armoured Vehicle Programme, under a £-multi-million, multi-year contract awarded jointly by WFEL and parent company KMW.

The armoured material will be used in the Boxer vehicle hull assembly, which will be fabricated at WFEL’s specialist Manufacturing Centre of Excellence in Stockport.

MTL Advanced have invested in excess of £2m in new capital equipment to help support this project and meet increased demand. The new investments have been spread around the various manufacturing cells of the Rotherham business, to provide an enhancement in capacity, in line with the production schedules for the UK Boxer vehicles contract.

MTL operates a 300,000 sq ft facility at Brinsworth.

In a major boost to the local community, this contract award has contributed to the creation of 30 new jobs at MTL Advanced, who have also welcomed 12 new Apprentices to their Engineering & Welding Apprentice Academy during September, demonstrating MTL’s on-going commitment to train the next generation of Engineers. MTL Advanced says that investing in the next generation of talented engineers is critical to their ongoing success.

The company has also recruited an additional four young job seekers as part of the nationwide KickStart campaign and new Graduate schemes have also been brought forward, to upskill MTL’s staff and provide them with further education and career progression opportunities.

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MTL Advanced General Manager, Karl Stewart, said: “We are really excited to have been awarded this major contract, which will give us the opportunity to work in partnership with WFEL and KMW on such an important UK Defence project. We look forward to engaging closely with WFEL and KMW’s engineering teams and leveraging our armour manufacturing expertise to help make this Boxer Vehicle programme a great success for the British Army.

"As a company located at the heart of the Sheffield-Rotherham Advanced Manufacturing corridor, the region that was the cradle of the Industrial Revolution, we are immensely proud to be able to bring such a prestigious multi-year contract to Rotherham for the benefit of our local community.”

This is the latest sub-contract to be awarded by WFEL, a key partner in the manufacture of the Boxer Armoured Vehicles for the British Army, under the $2.3 bn contract signed in November 2019 between ARTEC and the UK MoD.

The company will be attending a KickStart recruitment event on Wednesday January 12 at the Youth Hub at Rotherham United Community Sports Trust, New York Stadium. Local individuals will be presented with the opportunity to apply to one of the newly created positions and work on exciting contracts, such as the UK Boxer Programme.

MTL Advanced will also be hosting an open evening during National Apprenticeship Week 2022 on Thursday 10th February, where local school leavers and anyone interested in starting a career in engineering will be welcome to discuss the company’s apprenticeship opportunities for September 2022.

MTL Advanced website

Images: KMW

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News: Plans lined up for new Rotherham pool hall

Work is underway on a new pool hall in Rotherham - right on cue for a masterplan which focuses on improving the leisure offer in the town centre.

Last year, the former Rileys snooker hall and sports bar sold as part of a Doncaster Gate plot at auction for £260,000.

This meant that the tenants, operating as Pot8's, began racking their brains for a new venue nearby. A good break saw a soon-to-be completed development accross the town became available and operators look set to give it a shot and start from scratch on Main Street.

The pool hall is looking to take a 5,334 sq ft unit within Westgate Chambers - the largest private-led regeneration project currently ongoing in Rotherham town centre.

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Renovation plans for Westgate Chambers were approved in 2018. A £10m scheme designed by Sheffield-based Self Architects involves the creation of a showcase commercial, retail and residential development that involves renovating the buildings that surround a landscaped internal courtyard, including a superb Georgian Grade II listed building, one of the oldest surviving historic structures in Rotherham town centre.

The buildings, close to the important regeneration site of Forge Island, were bought by the Council in 2006 but the authority's own redevelopment efforts were hit by the economic downturn and a removal of Government funding. Having sold the properties, the current scheme, by Peter Hill of developers HMP Bespoke Construction Ltd, is providing high quality retail, leisure and commercial space at street level with contemporary apartments above.

An application has also been submitted for new alcohol licence for the premises at 8 - 10 Main Street, known by many as the former Body-Tec gym.

Change of use plans, drawn up by Self Architects, show that the ground floor would have a small bar area, six pool tables and drinks tables aimed at casual play and socialising. The basement area is aimed at more dedicated pool playing with ten tables and another small bar and a shop selling pool equipment.

Images: Google Maps

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News: Muse man makes Harworth switch

A leading man in the effort to bring a cinema to Rotherham at the Forge Island regeneration scheme has taken up an new role at Rotherham-based Harworth Group plc, a leading regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment.

Based close to its flagship Waverley development, the listed firm is a specialist in brownfield regeneration and has a £250m income-producing portfolio across the UK.

Dan Needham has joined as Development Director in a newly-created role that is seen as central to the delivery of Harworth’s strategy to double the size of its business over the next five to seven years.

In his role as Development Director, Dan will be responsible for progressing a number of Harworth’s strategic land and major development sites, reporting to Chief Investment Officer, Jonathan Haigh. Dan is a Chartered Surveyor with 30 years’ experience in delivering commercial and mixed-use schemes across the Midlands and North of England.

Needham was most recently Development Director at Muse Developments, the urban regeneration arm of Morgan Sindall Group plc, where his major projects included a mixed employment and residential development at Harrier Park in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire delivered in partnership with Rolls-Royce plc; Forge Island in Rotherham, a leisure-led scheme developed in partnership with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council; and the 22-acre Doncaster Civic & Cultural Quarter.

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Dan Needham, Development Director, Harworth Group plc, said: "Harworth has established itself as one of the leading development and regeneration specialists in the UK. I am thrilled to be joining the company and look forward to helping Harworth deliver its pipeline of regionally significant projects across its regions, creating sustainable new jobs, homes and communities.”

Needham leaves the Forge Island project, where Muse is Rotherham Council's partner, having worked to secure planning consent for a new leisure scheme in Rotherham town centre with an 8-screen boutique style cinema, modern hotel, food and drink outlets and car parking.

Last year, major hotel brand, Travelodge, exchanged a long-term deal to become an anchor tenant. This followed the news earlier in the year that boutique cinema operator, The Arc, had agreed to open its seventh site at the scheme.

Harworth website

Images: RMBC

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News: Updated plans for 715,000 sq ft speculative logistics development in Rotherham

Another set of updated plans for a huge distribution centre development alongside the M18 motorway in Rotherham have been submitted.

Outline plans were approved for "Interchange Park" at Hellaby in 2020 and applicants said that it could be home to over 1,000 jobs. Since then, Panattoni, the largest industrial real estate developer in Europe, has bought the Cumwell Lane site and gained approval for changes to the plans.

Now Panattoni has submitted a reserved matters planning application to Rotherham Council for a 715,000 sq ft speculative development, now-called Panattoni Park Rotherham, consisting of the 630,000 sq ft facility (a maximum of 21 metres high) and a smaller 85,000 sq ft facility (15 metres).

The 40-acre Panattoni Park Rotherham is located in an established distribution location, immediately adjacent to junction 1 of the M18 and just two miles from junction 32 of the M1.

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The plans provide more details on the size, layout and appearance of the buildings, along with a landscape strategy and details of access within the site.

Both are proposed to be steel frame buildings with metal cladding in a palette of silver/metallic/grey, with feature entrances and glazing to the office elements.

As already approved in previous plans, vehicular access to the new units is to be via Cumwell Lane which is off the A631. A dedicated access road will be provided to both units from Cumwell Lane for HGVs.

The detailed scheme includes a total of 490 car parking spaces, of which 99 will provide for electric charging and 25 will be provided as accessible spaces. An additional 189 spaces for HGV parking is also proposed. Parking for 180 bicycles will be provided across the site.

Dan Burn, Development Director for the North West and Yorkshire at Panattoni, said: "We look forward to working with all stakeholders through the planning application process with the aim of bringing forward this nationally significant development."

Local occupiers include Great Bear, Clipper Logistics, DX and FedEx. Letting agents are M1 Agency, Legat Owen and Knight Frank.

Panattoni website

Images: Panattoni

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News: Wilko, over and out

Wilko, the value general merchandise retailer, has announced plans to close 15 stores this year, including one in Rotherham.

The Worksop-based High Street chain confirmed that it had briefed its team members in Rotherham town centre of the decision to close the store because favourable lease terms cannot be agreed with the landlord.

The soon-to-be-vacated Corporation Street store is adjacent to the Forge Island regeneration site, where a mixed-use scheme anchored by Arc Cinema and a Travelodge hotel is being built.

A spokesperson said; “We have been looking at our options, but the reality is that we have been unable to reach an agreement with the landlord that makes this store commercially viable."

Rothbiz revealed in 2014 that wilko was set to take the large unit that was vacated by electrical retailer, Comet at Parkgate Shopping.

At the time, an agreement was reached with Rotherham Council and the retailer that would see the Corporation Street store staying open for at least five years if plans for Parkgate were approved.

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The town centre store is set to close in June 2022. The Parkgate store is unaffected by the latest announcement.

Jerome Saint-Marc, CEO at wilko, said: “Our history is steeped in serving our customers and communities going back to 1930 but there’s no denying the way people shop with us and where they want to shop with us is changing. As a business we’re evolving and this includes working with landlords for more favourable terms, as well as looking at locations and store formats. We’ll continue to pull together to make our business better to secure the future of over 16,000 team members.

“We’ll be doing everything we can to support our affected team members who will be offered any available positions in nearby stores. We apologise to customers but will continue to offer them everything they need in nearby stores or via wilko.com.”

Roger Jenkins, national officer at the GMB Union, said: "These closures are devasting for Wilko workers and the communities who use them. “It’s yet another nail in the High Street’s coffin and GMB calls on councils and landlords to review commercial leases and offer lower rents."

Last year, buildings next to wilko on Corporation Street were demolished as part of the Forge Island scheme. On the other side, the Mecca Bingo has closed permanently and proposals to create flats have been unveiled.

Rotherham Council has targeted Corporation Street and sites nearby for investment, eager to build on the catalyst Forge Island scheme which will host an 8-screen boutique style cinema, modern hotel, food and drink outlets and car parking.

Wilko website

Images: Google Maps

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News: National company spots vacated Rotherham retail unit

A large Rotherham retail unit that has had many uses in recent years is vacant again, but another national chain is working out how to take it on.

Since Homebase at Parkgate Shopping closed a decade ago, the large unit has been used by Best Buy, Kiddicare and as an outdoor sports store.

In 2014 JD Sports Fashion plc took on the lease of the vacated 45,000 sq ft Kiddicare store. It has been used as a clearance outlet for the company's outdoor brands such as Millets and Blacks.

JD went on to submit plans to enable the large unit to be subdivided into four separate units, each with their own entrance, but these works were never carried out. Instead, JD opened in the 15,000 sq ft unit that was previously occupied by Mothercare and the Millets outlet was closed down.

Now a new planning application shows that the Frasers Group is eyeing up the vacant store.

Founded by Mike Ashley in 1982, Frasers Group is now a collection of the world’s most iconic brands - notably Sports Direct, Flannels, GAME and USC.

The plans, drawn up by Jigsaw Planning, show how the unit would be transformed with the installation of a mezzanine comprising of 22,400 sq ft retail floorspace (Class E(a)) and additional 20,400 sq ft gym.

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The main operators would be Sports Direct and Everlast Fitness Club (In 2014 Sports Direct bought out the LA Fitness chain of gyms and underwent a rebranding).

Plans also show large space for designer brand retailer, Flannels, along with smaller space for Evans Cycles and GAME.

As the proposals would take the retail space of the unit up to nearly 90,000 sq ft, and the site is classed as out of town, a retail assessment and sequential test is also included.

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

As the applicant is looking for a large unit where a gym and retail store can be co-located, vacant units and undeveloped sites in Rotherham town centre and other local centres have been discounted, mainly for being too small. The sequential test concludes: "there are no more sequentially preferable sites within allocated centres that are suitable or available to accommodate the proposed development"

A retail impact assessment indicates that proposals would divert trade, mainly from the existing Parkgate Shopping Park (£7.29m), but adds that this would be "trade currently going to the existing Sports Direct store, which will be closed to facilitate the proposed development."

Meadowhall would also see some trade diverted to the new proposed unit (£5.28m), as would Rotherham town centre.

The assessment concludes: "Using the luxury and sports goods market share information, we have assumed that £2.12m will be diverted from Rotherham Town Centre, against a total turnover of over £140m; this amounts to an impact of just 1.5%."

The development of the vacant unit is the third attempt from Sports Direct to expand in Rotherham. In 2016, the group was looking at the 51,000 sq ft mini-warehouse vacated by B&Q to use for a number of its brands. It is now "the largest car retailer in the whole of Yorkshire" operated by The Trade Centre Group.

In 2018, Sports Direct applied to install a mezzanine level for a gym at the current Matalan store at Parkgate.

Frasers Group's unaudited interim results for the 26 weeks to 24 October 2021 showed that revenue increased to £2,339.8m, in comparison to £1,893.3m in the same period of the previous year. Statutory profit before tax increased to £186m from £106.1m.

Frasers Group website

Images: Google Maps

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News: VW Transporter specialists expand Rotherham base

Rotherham-based Leighton Vans has received a £1.48m funding package from NatWest to invest in company growth, enabling job creation, international trading capabilities and expansion to new premises.

As the UK’s market leader in Volkswagen vans sales, parts and upgrade services, the business has undergone significant growth in recent years. This includes increasing its sales and leasing fleet to meet national demand and adding additional desirable upgrade services for those wanting to add a premium touch to their Transporter.

The funding secured from NatWest enabled Leighton Vans to purchase an additional trading premises, adjacent to its current Templeborough base, to enhance its manufacturing capacity. The new warehouse is twice the size of the existing site, allowing Leighton Vans to transform a higher volume of Transporters, retain more stock and create a new streamlined dispatch area – enabling the capability to ship parts internationally and trade with markets in the EU, Netherlands and Australia.

Additionally, the new funding means Leighton Vans can continue to support the local economy and recruit ten new members of staff across various parts of the business to help grow its passionate team even further.

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Robert Pick, Finance Director at Leighton Vans, said “We have a valued relationship with the Bank and NatWest has been incredibly supportive throughout the process.

“We are a business with our best days in front of us and have gradually progressed with our ambitious vision as the market leader for all things Volkswagen Transporter. We’ve seen rapid growth in the parts arm of the business, and this funding marks a new era for Leighton Vans. The new premises, with larger capacity and a bigger team, means we can enhance operations to better serve our customers locally as well as overseas.”

Liam Douglas, Relationship Manager at NatWest, said “We have been working with the Leighton Vans team for over five years and it has been fantastic to see the growth of its offering and community. It’s an exciting new chapter for business and it’s been great to support the team with its strategy.”

Leighton Vans moved to Rotherham in 2017, opening a brand new workshop and showroom.

Leighton Vans website
NatWest website

Images: Leighton Vans / NatWest

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News: Appeal turned down for Rotherham greenbelt housing plans

A planning inspector has dismissed an appeal by developers wanting to build over 100 new houses on "irreplaceable" greenspace in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported last year that the planning board at Rotherham Council voted to refuse the plans for The Pitches - going against a recommendation by its officers.

After consultation, Newett Homes reduced the proposals in scale, resulting in a proposal for 116 dwellings.

The application for the site at Stag was being recommended for approval, so long as developers provided over £1m as part of a legal deal.

The nine acre site on Wickersley Road has previously been used for football, cricket, hockey, tennis and bowls but it has been vacant for over five years.

The hearing for the appeal focused on whether the development would be contrary to Rotherham's Local Plan with regard to the protection of designated greenspace; the effect of the proposed scheme on the provision of protected greenspace; and "whether the proposed scheme makes adequate provision for any existing and additional need for Green Space and recreational facilities arising from the scheme with regard to its quantity, quality and suitable location."

Having visited the site, and heard representations from the applicant, council and the local community, planning inspector, Andrew McCormack, concluded that: "From submissions and my observations, it is clear to me that the site provides a significant visual amenity role for the local community and area. Accordingly, having taken all relevant matters into account, I find the broad amenity function that the site has provided in the past and continues to provide environmentally, physically and visually to the local community to be irreplaceable.

"I find that the site provides significant amenity value to the local community in terms of environmental and physical benefits. Whilst opportunities for its continuing use in this way have been restricted in recent years, the potential and desire of the local community is sufficiently evident to support the case for the site to remain as protected Green Space. The amenity benefits to the local community and its people, as I have heard and seen them, are location specific and cannot be replicated or reproduced elsewhere. As such, this overall amenity value provided through the site as I have set out is considered to be irreplaceable."

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The inspector also concluded that there are "no substantive material considerations which overcome the significant harm that would result in the loss of the protected greenspace on the local area and its residents."

During discussions over the plans, a figure of £912,000 was accepted by Sport England, due to go towards a replacement cricket pitch and field, replacement football facilities, a new bowling facility, tennis provision and to enable the Council to commission a new Playing Pitch Strategy. The inquiry showed that the total sum offered in the final Section 106 document was less than what it would cost to reinstate The Pitches site.

The inspector found that the mitigation package does not propose to create any new sports land, such as pitches or courts, and is based solely on qualitative improvements to sports provision elsewhere in the Rotherham area. Concern and doubt was raised about the deliverability, nature and location of the sports mitigation package.

Having heard the evidence, McCormack concluded that: "The proposed mitigation does not include a new football pitch, cricket pitch, tennis courts or a bowling green. There is, therefore, no direct replacement provision of the facilities that are on the appeal site, irrespective of their condition, and which would be permanently lost to the proposed development.

"The appellant stated during the Inquiry that what currently exists on the overgrown appeal site does not equate to useable sporting facilities which were previously used. As such, they do not constitute current provision and do not need to be replaced by something equivalent or better. In my view, the potential for those facilities on the site to be used again, regardless of any reinstatement or maintenance work and cost that may be needed, is sufficient justification to ensure that such provision is at least equivalently compensated for in quantitative and qualitative terms.

"I find that the impact of the proposed scheme on amenity in the local area, its residents and the loss of existing sport and recreation facilities at the appeal site would not be appropriately and adequately addressed and mitigated overall."

Images: Google Maps

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News: Engineers enable centrepiece artwork for Dubai Expo

Engineering specialists at Brier Solutions in Rotherham have provided the ingenuity for a bold and creative piece of artwork on display at The Dubai Expo 2020.

Based at the AMP Technology Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), Brier is a turnkey engineering solutions provider committed to enabling clients to succeed through innovative design, problem-solving and attention to detail.

The Dubai Expo 2020, rearranged due to the Covid-19 pandemic, recently had a grand opening that was watched by millions across the globe. Over nine million guests are expected to visit in person before the closing ceremony in March 2022.

The organisers of Expo 2020 sought a bold and creative piece of artwork which would sit in "Terra - The Sustainability Pavilion", one of three pavilions at the event which has the key theme of sustainability.

Commissioned by the Expo 2020 organisation, British artist Mat Collishaw created "Equinox" and Brier Solution’s involvement in the creation of this centrepiece started back in 2019 when they were approached by The White Wall Company. The White Wall Company are art fabricators who work with some of the world’s most renowned contemporary artists and gallery spaces creating show-stopping sculptures and exhibitions.

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The centrepiece is a giant lotus flower, featuring an orbit of insects, spinning on its vertical axis. Its petals act as ‘shutters’ – animating the insects within as they appear to fly, eat and pollinate in perfect harmony. The sculpture needed to consist of a flower that would raise and lower by a metre, spin at 60 RPM and have 18 petals that would open and close, changing the diameter from 2m to 3.2m. The stem, supporting the flower, needed to be as slender as possible and facilitate the raising and lowering. All this needed to happen in a tight envelope and be as elegant and refined as possible.

Brier engineers had to come up with something invisible and seamless.

With motors being too bulky, the solution was found using hydraulics; a single hydraulic cylinder mounted in the stem for the raise/lower operation, three mini cylinders mounted directly to a bespoke manifold in the top section to actuate the opening/closing mechanism and a single hydraulic motor to drive a small slew ring for the rotation.

It was also important for the engineers to choose parts that provide reliable, squeak-free and wobble-free operation over the required lifetime.

Brier Solutions website

Images: Dubai 2020

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News: Rotherham micro pub plans turned down

Operators have been refused planning permission for a micro pub at a popular Rotherham retail village.

Rothbiz reported in August on plans at Deer Park Farm, a family run business based at Thrybergh that has evolved into a destination now offering bespoke furniture, antiques and a farm shop.

The application involved rearranging the current buildings in order to create a retail unit in a current storage building to be occupied by an antiques emporium. A separate building would then see the three current retail units changed into one drinking establishment and one retail unit (a flower studio). A third building containing the tea rooms is set to remain unchanged.

Work to create the Deer Park Tap was completed last year.

An application to vary the premises licence for the property was approved by Rotherham Council's Licensing Sub-Committee in September. It enables the sale of alcohol (for consumption on and off the premises) between 10am and 8:30pm Monday to Saturday and 11am and 8:30pm on Sundays.

However, the connected planning application, relating to the use of the buildings, has now been refused.

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The decision was made without going before the planning board and officers concluded: "The Council considers that the proposed public house and associated outside seating area (use class Sui Generis) would be in conflict with the residential properties on Arran Hill and Church View by introducing a use which would lead to unacceptable levels of noise nuisance and general disturbance to local residents during the daytime and evening in this residential location, and as such the proposal is considered to be contrary to ... [the] Local Plan."

Hannah Kent from the council's Environmental Health department, added: "I note that we have received complaints of noise, odour and rats being seen on the site in relation to the current usage, and there are numerous objections from neighbours concerned with a loss of amenity in relation to noise, odour, light and the location being so close with a direct line of site into their homes. I concur with their concerns and recognise that the proposal has the potential to significantly impact the amenity of the nearby residents."

A noise assessment submitted by the applicants concluded that the "noise associated with the development is considered to be negligible" due in part to the nearby road noise but Environmental Health disagreed, adding that numerous residents had already made complaints of noise from patrons and that "a raised human voice is clearly discernible in comparison to vehicle noise and as such is more intrusive."

Deer Park Retail Village website

Images: Deer Park Farm / Facebook

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News: Rotherham United cap stadium capacity

Rotherham United has chosen to temporarily cap the capacity of AESSEAL New York Stadium at 9,999 meaning that supporters will not have to show Covid-19 certification to gain entry to first team fixtures.

In December, the Government announced new rules to combat the spread of a new Coronavirus variant which mean that those responsible for any event with 10,000 or more attendees at any point in time, would be required to request the NHS COVID Pass as a condition of entry. This is the case regardless of whether the event is indoor or outdoor, or if attendees are seated or expected to stand or move around.

The League One club has not yet welcomed an attendance of 10,000 or more this season, and capacity is already reduced to 10,600.

Rothbiz reported in October that capacity at AESSEAL New York Stadium has been reduced by 1,500, until such time as the ongoing bridge repair works on nearby Don Street, are completed.

Bridge repair works were projected to be finished in December and Rotherham United's game with Lincoln City at AESSEAL New York Stadium was postponed after the visiting team said that it was unable to fulfil the fixture due to a number of positive COVID-19 cases in their squad.

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The NHS COVID Pass is used to demonstrate COVID-19 status when travelling abroad and domestically at venues and settings in England. To enter certain venues and events in England you must have proof of one of the following: you are vaccinated with two doses of an approved vaccine (or one of the single-dose Janssen vaccine); you have completed a negative PCR test or negative rapid lateral flow test within the past 48 hours; you are exempt from vaccination or vaccination and testing on the basis of a medical exemption or clinical trial participation.

A statement from Rotherham United said: "It is our responsibility as a cornerstone of the local community to remain vigilant and set an example when it comes to limiting the spread of the disease.

"We will, therefore, be continuing to enforce measures including the requirement to wear a mask (for anyone aged 11+) whilst in any indoor areas – including concourses and hospitality lounges – unless eating or drinking, or where medically exempt.

Recommended reading: Rotherham United

"Good practice for limiting the spread of the virus will also be encouraged including messaging around the regular washing and sanitising of hands, social distancing from others (where possible) and not attending fixtures prior to which you feel unwell or are showing symptoms of the virus.

"The club has extensively discussed the above matter and also studied the remaining home fixtures in 2021/22, and with the exception of any potential future cup ties, believe that it is unlikely that we will surpass crowds of 9,999. In the event that a league fixture looks likely to reach or exceed the capacity of 9,999, the club will reserve the right to reduce the away attendance or revisit this matter entirely and introduce a Covid certification scheme."

RUFC website

Images: RUFC

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News: £13.2m housing development set for Catcliffe

Great Places and Strata have started work on a new development of 76 affordable homes on land off Blue Mans Way at Catcliffe in Rotherham, following planning approval.

The £13.2mscheme, the inaugural partnership project for Great Places and Strata, will transform redundant scrub land into a high-quality, new housing development.

The scheme will provide a range of homes for Affordable Rent and Shared Ownership and drive tenure diversification in the area.

The scheme will comprise a mix of two-bed apartments, alongside one, two, three and four-bed houses with 29 available for shared ownership and 47 for affordable rent.

The one-bed houses are an innovative addition to the site, and offer a one-bed housing option with private garden and the increased versatility of a house.

The shared ownership will be available through Plumlife Homes.

The plans were approved without going in front of Rotherham Council's planning board, despite a number of objections.

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Helen Spencer, Director of Development at Great Places, said: “We’re pleased to be working in partnership with Strata to deliver this new scheme. It is a great example of what can be achieved through effective partnership work.

“This exciting new development really has something to offer everyone. It’s perfect for couples and young professionals looking for a new home in a great location and only a short commute from Rotherham and Sheffield.

“The demand for this type of affordable housing continues to be high and Great Places remains committed to creating great homes in all of the areas we operate in. Catcliffe compliments our current work in the local area, and we’re sure it will prove popular.”

Mark Leaf, Land and Planning Director at Strata, added: “We are excited to be working collaboratively with Great Places to deliver high-quality, new homes in the area. The project marks Strata’s move to deliver homes as a contractor using our new partnership model.

“As a Yorkshire-based business, we are also committed to helping boost the housing offer for local people and are pleased to transform redundant scrubland into a thriving new community.”

The development is due to take around two years to complete.

Great Places website

Images: Great Places / Strata

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