Wednesday, March 9, 2022

News: Residential conversion planned for Rotherham church building

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An historic office block in Rotherham town centre, recently used by a church organisation, is in line for a conversion, under new plans.

At the Moorgate end of town, on Grove Road, an attractive early 20th century building is set to be reused as 13 new apartments according to a planning application submitted to Rotherham Council from Create Properties Ltd.

The building has been occupied by Hope Church, a community church, along with being the home of Rotherham Foodbank. Both uses have recently secured new premises elsewhere.

The plans, drawn up by Urbana Town Planning Ltd, show the proposed renovation and reconfiguration of the internal layout to create 13 new apartments, comprising three 1-bedroom apartments and ten 2-bedroom apartments.

Also in the plans is 1,500 sq ft of communal amenity space which has the potential to be a gym or coworking space. Eight car parking spaces in an existing undercroft parking area would be retained, and cycle storage facility for ten cycles would be added.

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The main building, previously used as council offices, is described in the plans as: "an attractive early 20th century building comprised of red brick and decorative stonework with ornate masonry. Above the main entrance is a date stone which reads 1923. Whilst not a designated heritage asset, the building is certainly an asset to the street and wider surrounding area. Of less architectural merit are the mid-late 20th century extensions which adjoin the early decorative part of the building on either side, more extensively so to the west of the original 1923 building."

The proposals include retaining the attractive central 1920s façade, reinstating the sash windows lost on the ground floor. Conversion of the building allows for improvement of the appearance of the 1960s extension, where elevations have been modernised through updated buff brick and zinc finishes as well as glazing upgrades.

The plans add: "The proposals represent redevelopment that will make a significant contribution towards achieving greater economic sustainability in the town. This will be contributed principally through investment represented which will manifest itself through jobs created during and after construction, as well as the cumulative impact of increased values in the area surrounding the site resulting from the proposals and the impetus for future regeneration that this is likely to help to create."

As the plans include less than desired parking (Rotherham Council standards ask for a maximum of one space per apartment, along with 50% visitor provision), applicants will need to demonstrate that the site is in the vicinity of good public transport links, public car parking, and safe and convenient on street parking.

Applicants also argue that residential development here "would not result in a significant uplift in vehicles manoeuvring on Grove Road when considered in the context of the current Hope Church and Rotherham Foodbank uses."

Images: WindsorPatania Architects

11 comments:

Anonymous,  March 9, 2022 at 8:52 PM  

Oh look another ghetto,still plenty of Roma in way over from Ukraine.

Anonymous,  March 10, 2022 at 1:52 PM  

And the application will appear on RMBC planning map when?

Anonymous,  March 10, 2022 at 2:13 PM  

The majority of these flats and apartments now being built in the town centre will become low-level social housing attracting the people and problems associated with this type of housing. Rotherham simply can not attract the number of affluent people to fill these properties

Anonymous,  March 10, 2022 at 7:40 PM  

Dumping ground for every undesirable from around the country and indeed the world!👎

Anonymous,  March 10, 2022 at 7:53 PM  

If you ever find yourself in the same situation as the people of Ukraine I hope you are afforded more kindness than you display

Anonymous,  March 11, 2022 at 11:02 AM  

We've been in same situation,it was called ww2,no one helped this country,and before you say US,no they didn't they helped themselves ,to our gold reserves.Charity begins at home,we have our own problems without importing them!

Anonymous,  March 11, 2022 at 4:21 PM  

Given all the "little England" views and negativity displayed on here I'm not sure anyone would want to move to Rotherham.

Anonymous,  March 15, 2022 at 8:35 AM  

How old were you during the Second World War?

Anonymous,  March 15, 2022 at 9:07 AM  

Not against this idea, it seems like a good use for the building, there's already quite a large flat development at the bottom of Grove Road, so it makes sense: bring an empty building back into use, and create the new homes needed on what's effectively a brownfield site.

I hope that RMBC will use this to re-visit the junction at the end of Grove Road - it's always seemed non-sensical that traffic is forced to turn left and join a traffic jam, rather than being able to turn right at the end of the road.

I can't help wondering what will happen to the food bank?

Anonymous,  March 15, 2022 at 3:54 PM  

Probably like you,not even born,I know my parents and grandparents who were around ,had the same view,look after your own and your homeland,charity begins at home!

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