News: Plans tweaked for Forge Island as work continues
With construction well underway, Rotherham Council and national urban regenerator, Muse Developments, its delivery partner, have made minor changes to the plans for the Forge Island leisure scheme in Rotherham town centre.
More public realm is being added to the riverside area.
Construction work started last year with lead contractor Bowmer & Kirkland, after Rotherham Council stepped in to fund the scheme when the funding available to Muse, "significantly reduced."
Plans were approved in 2020 for the scheme which will include a new Arc Cinema, Travelodge hotel and six food and drink outlets, which are already fully let.
Applicants now want to make non-material amendments to the previously approved planning permission which "reflect design development as the project moves from the planning approved drawings to detailed design for construction purposes."
Rothbiz reported earlier this month that the cinema will have two flagship Hypersense screens, including Dolby Atmos sound, a giant screen and a 4K Laser projector – which creates a truly immersive experience. Additionally, it will also have six medium-sized screens that provide an intimate atmosphere for smaller showings – perfect for Arc's popular events like ‘Silver Screen’ and ‘Kids club’ which will be launching in Rotherham.
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Across the river, the acquisition and demolition of the former Wilkos store by the council has prompted a rethink for the café and public realm in that area.
With the Riverside Precinct and Chantry Buildings gone too, the site on Corporation Street is being readied for proposals that include a 1,500 sq ft café in a new open area called "Millgate Place" that connects Forge Island (and its new bridge) with the heart of the town centre.
The plans, drawn up by Tetra Tech consultants, state: "The proposed amendment on Site B north to the café arrangement and the surrounding public realm layout reflects the opportunity to enhance the Forge Island project detail following a change in circumstances since the grant of the original planning approval.
"The Wilko store adjacent to the boundary of Site B north has now been demolished and, subject to the amendments now proposed, allows the café and public realm design to take advantage of the more exposed aspect to the north and better orientate the building within its immediate environment but also improve its integration with the wider public realm and connectivity to the riverside.
"The previous arrangement comprising a retaining wall and steps can be removed and the land graded to allow level access (1:20 max) on the footpath connecting back into the riverside path to the north. This is considered a significant public realm enhancement with improved accessibility compared to the original planning approval."
The Thistle Group's Caffé Noor is signed up to take on the unit when construction is complete in 2024.
Planning approval is still awaited for a much larger public realm scheme along the river at Domine Lane and Market Street.
Forge Island website
Images: Muse / FaulknerBrowns
More public realm is being added to the riverside area.
Construction work started last year with lead contractor Bowmer & Kirkland, after Rotherham Council stepped in to fund the scheme when the funding available to Muse, "significantly reduced."
Plans were approved in 2020 for the scheme which will include a new Arc Cinema, Travelodge hotel and six food and drink outlets, which are already fully let.
Applicants now want to make non-material amendments to the previously approved planning permission which "reflect design development as the project moves from the planning approved drawings to detailed design for construction purposes."
Rothbiz reported earlier this month that the cinema will have two flagship Hypersense screens, including Dolby Atmos sound, a giant screen and a 4K Laser projector – which creates a truly immersive experience. Additionally, it will also have six medium-sized screens that provide an intimate atmosphere for smaller showings – perfect for Arc's popular events like ‘Silver Screen’ and ‘Kids club’ which will be launching in Rotherham.
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Across the river, the acquisition and demolition of the former Wilkos store by the council has prompted a rethink for the café and public realm in that area.
With the Riverside Precinct and Chantry Buildings gone too, the site on Corporation Street is being readied for proposals that include a 1,500 sq ft café in a new open area called "Millgate Place" that connects Forge Island (and its new bridge) with the heart of the town centre.
The plans, drawn up by Tetra Tech consultants, state: "The proposed amendment on Site B north to the café arrangement and the surrounding public realm layout reflects the opportunity to enhance the Forge Island project detail following a change in circumstances since the grant of the original planning approval.
"The Wilko store adjacent to the boundary of Site B north has now been demolished and, subject to the amendments now proposed, allows the café and public realm design to take advantage of the more exposed aspect to the north and better orientate the building within its immediate environment but also improve its integration with the wider public realm and connectivity to the riverside.
"The previous arrangement comprising a retaining wall and steps can be removed and the land graded to allow level access (1:20 max) on the footpath connecting back into the riverside path to the north. This is considered a significant public realm enhancement with improved accessibility compared to the original planning approval."
The Thistle Group's Caffé Noor is signed up to take on the unit when construction is complete in 2024.
Planning approval is still awaited for a much larger public realm scheme along the river at Domine Lane and Market Street.
Forge Island website
Images: Muse / FaulknerBrowns
21 comments:
The minor planning alterations being the construction of four 36 floor residential blocks strategically aligned to block the view of Rotherham Minster from all the town's main gateways. A spokesperson for the developers, PhilistinesRUs, said "English Heritage can go spin on this"
The council don't half love a 'public realm'
Tall storey
Another term for open area for local low life's to get pissed and Tek drugs on.Get fu***Ng building stuff,we've got loads of open areas in town centre and a massive park(Clifton)5 minutes walk away!
That's ironic really because the low lifes and druggies always speak so highly of you.
I'm sure they do ,but I've no time for scum,that ruin town for hard working,law abiding people.
Selt the Rotherham public a dream now every message RMBC put out seems like a step back from that dream .. anybody else feel short changed ?
Joke of a town,run by jokers,who are voted in by clown's!
By clown's what? Do you get someone to read out the messages to you before you dictate your monosyllabic responses using English as a second language?
Second language?
Selt?
Have you ever considered enrolling on a literacy course?
Apologies ‘sold’ didn’t know I was going to be judged on my spelling
Despite all the doom and gloom I think Forge Island will be a tremendous success. But I do fear for all the cafes, wine bars and bistros in Wickersley when all the yummy mummies desert them for the fine dining offered on F I. And don't forget that afterwards they can pop to Parkgate and get the chubby little feet of their kiddy winks measured for designer trainers.
Tbh,I think it's you is pretty dumb.And as for the English second language jibe,isn't that border line racism?Or is it wacism🤣
I think the proletarianisation of Wickersley has been driving away the area's yummy mummies and coffee intelligencia for quite some time. Apparently the hottest barristas are currently to be found at the Tasty Bite in town and the KFC drive through in Canklow
And I do believe that the Tasty Bite specialise in services for smokers, mobility scooter users and tea drinkers who can swear very loudly at passers by.
Spot on there old bean. If I have to pass that establishment I walk in the middle of the road. Likely to get hit with a sausage sandwich behind the earhole
What do you mean? That is Rotherham cafe culture at it's finest. You could almost imagine you were sat in Montmartre.
That is true. If only they would put up a few brollies and scooter huts outside, the ambience would be truly Parisienne
You must be Deluded or a clown, RMBC don't build anything higher than 7 storeys So 36 is absolutely ludicrous
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