News: £26m allocated for new Rotherham cycle schemes

The latest schemes aimed at improving options for public transport, walking, wheeling and cycling in Rotherham will cost around £26m, according to the latest update from transport bosses at Rotherham Council.

Consultation for a scheme in the Eastwood area began in October with the proposals for the installation of new bus lanes and cycle lanes to create a sustainable transport corridor incorporating Fitzwilliam Road and St Ann's Roundabout.

Last month, consultation began on a similar scheme for the Moorgate and Broom area which is also set to address issues at Stag roundabout.

Matthew Reynolds, Head of Transportation Infrastructure Service at Rotherham Council, recently updated elected members on the new projects, saying that £16m had been allocated for the Eastwood scheme and around £10m allocated for the Moorgate and Broom Network Improvements.

The funding is coming from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS), £570m from the government to the region to bring significant improvements to South Yorkshire’s transport system.

For the Eastwood scheme, the biggest change proposed is for St Ann's Roundabout, where the council is proposing to bring the crossings up to ground level and fill in the subways to make the space feel more welcoming. For Fitzwilliam Road the plan is to provide bus priority and separate cycleways.

A bus lane in the Rotherham-bound direction would make bus services faster and more reliable and the bus lane at Mushroom roundabout would be extended to Chesterton Road. Painted cycle lanes are set to be replaced with dedicated cycle tracks to separate cyclists from motor traffic and improve safety and new designated parking spaces are also included.

£4.6m has been set aside for additional ideas proposed by the community for improvements in the neighbourhoods - streetlighting, road resurfacing, new crossings, addressing parking issues around the local schools.

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The Broom Road / Wickersley Corridor Sustainable Transport Scheme includes work at Stag roundabout, sustainable travel measures on Wickersley Road, the extension of the recently completed Broom Road cycleway, and an Active Travel Scheme in the Moorgate area.

A segregated footway and cycle route is planned from the existing scheme at Clifton Roundabout, through to Brecks roundabout.

Matthew Reynolds explained that the cycle scheme at Eastwood was a very difficult scheme. He said: "It is probably going to be more difficult to deliver than any other scheme we have on the books at the moment."

The council confirmed that there are issues at St Ann's Roundabout such as the subways and for bus operators. There are also some "considerable implications" in the area such as utilities in the middle of the roundabout and that run down Fitzwilliam Road. Flooding and disruption during the works were also being taken into account.

Reynolds added: "We are working really closely with the community, as much as we can, to understand what the concerns are and how we can improve the project. We are at the absolute first stage of feasability - there is plenty of time to shape it and plenty of time to work with people. Ultimately, we want to do that because we want something that everybody understands and buys into, and can see the bigger picture as to why we are doing these kind of schemes."

The funding deadline for the £16m project is March 2027 and Galliford Try Construction Ltd is working on the scheme.

For the other scheme, Reynolds discussed the issues with the zebra crossings at the Stag roundabout adding that: "It is an opportunity to bring improvements to the Stag - we can do some public realm work for example, bring some planting and greening, benches - that neighbourhood focus on the shops and amenities that are there."

The completion deadline in the current programme for the £10m project is January 2027. Esh Councstruction has signed up to deliver the scheme.

Reynolds added: "Again we are at the very early stages of consultation and engagement so we want to hear everyone's views on this."

RMBC consultation website

Images: RMBC / Google Maps

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News: Rotherham's first Banking Hub opens

A town in Rotherham left without a bank branch has seen services return with the opening of a new Banking Hub which could also boost the vitality of the area.

Ealier this year LINK, the UK’s Cash Access and ATM network, announced the addition of a new hub in Dinnington. The announcement followed a request from former MP, Alexander Stafford.

A planning application was submitted in September by Cash Access UK Limited for new signage at 31-33 Laughton Road, a former pharmacy.

The hubs are dedicated places where communities can access everyday personal and business banking services, such as withdrawing and depositing cash easily, or paying in cheques, over the counter. Owned by Cash Access UK, funded by the banks, and run by the Post Office, they're a way of bringing back banking to the people and areas that need it.

Each Banking Hub has a counter operated by the Post Office where customers can access services such as paying in cash and cheques, withdrawing cash and paying bills.

Representatives, called community bankers, from the major banks are available on different days. For Dinnington, Mondays are for NatWest, Tuesdays for Halifax, Wednesdays - Santander, Thursdays - HSBC, and Fridays - Barclays. Customers of all major banks and building societies can access cash services from the Post Office counter service, whenever the hub is open.

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Gareth Oakley, CEO, Cash Access UK: “Thanks to the exceptional industry collaboration from the banks who support us, I’m delighted that in a such short space of time we have been able to successfully open 100 banking hubs.

"Our hubs are proving extremely popular which shows that access to cash and banking services remains vital for millions of individuals across the UK, despite more people choosing to bank and make payments digitally. We're delighted to have reached this latest milestone and will continue our work to bring more of these services to the communities that need them most.”

Tulip Siddiq, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, added: "We are delighted to see the continued growth of banking hubs, which are playing an essential role in meeting the needs of communities where traditional banking options have declined.

"These hubs are not only vital for residents and businesses, but they also play a key role in revitalising our high streets, bringing footfall back to town centres, and repurposing unused buildings for community benefit.

"The success of these hubs proves that shared banking services can provide a solution that benefits everyone, from residents to local businesses."

Cash Access UK has undertaken new research to understand how the opening of the banking hubs have improved local high streets. Focussing on Brixham (Devon) and Rochford (Essex), two of the earliest hubs to open, the feedback is overwhelmingly positive with three in ten people saying they visit and spend more on the local high street because of the hub. Almost half (47%) of businesses surveyed said they have experienced an increase in footfall thanks to the banking hub. This is despite the fact that, UK wide, weekday footfall has fallen 18% compared with pre-Covid levels.

In Wath, also in Rotherham, a new temporary Banking Hub officially opened its doors in Montgomery Hall in September. It is expected that a permanent site will be found in the £9m library redevelopment.

Cash Access website

Images: Cash Access

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News: Revised plans for Rotherham country park café

An updated planning application has been submitted for a café refurbishment project and outdoor landscaping at a country park in Rotherham.

Securing money from the Government's Levelling Up Fund (LUF), £19.9m was awarded for a number of connected projects which aim to build a new leisure industry that responds to the challenges of economic recovery and health and well-being.

A £2.5m improvement plan for Thrybergh Country Park moved a step closer last year after plans for a new café building were approved but in July this year, Rotherham Council's cabinet approved a new way forward which meant that there is a "reduced scope" for the Thrybergh scheme where a brand new café building has been scrapped and replaced by a refurbished café and outside space.

Following market testing, the project required "revised budgets as a result of the impact of inflation and the volatile national and international construction market."

The new scheme has been given a budget of £789,873 and new plans, drawn up by the council's design and projects team, are for the refurbishment and alteration of the existing café building, and revised level access arrangements with the creation of a new ramped entrance and landing.

The development also includes increasing the size of an existing outdoor seating/terrace area, with associated hard and soft landscaping works. Fixed external canopies to accommodate covered seating for visitors of the café and country park could also be added.

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The application explains: "The proposed development seeks to improve the existing lakeside café and outdoor terrace/seating provision. The existing café is well established in the country park, and has been operating since 1995, and offers an ancillary function to users of the park.

"However, the existing café is outdated and limited in terms of its size and offering. It currently provides seating for up to 50 people, yet primarily serves takeaway food due to the existing seating being contained primarily in the conservatory, which provides a hot and unpleasant environment in the summer and is cold in the winter. The existing café building also provides a limited external seating area, which fails to fully take advantage of the attractive lakeside setting that the site occupies.

"The proposed alterations to the existing café would look to address the thermal envelope issues with the conservatory. By instating a new insulated flat roof to meet current regulations and replace/alter the existing glazing arrangement to create a habitable space and prevent the current heat gain/loss experienced with the existing conservatory glazing."

A new entrance would be to the lakeside with booth seating inside to make more efficient use of space. The new café design provides up to 60 covers internally, whilst the outdoor terrace will provide space for up to 100 covers externally.

As the development aims to improve the attractiveness of the country park as a destination for outdoor recreation, it is not considered to be inappropriate development in the Green Belt.

Plans conclude: "The upgraded café will significantly enhance the ancillary facilities supporting the overall function of the country park and will positively align with the key objective set out within the LPA's [Rotherham Council's] Cultural Strategy (2019- 2016) of improving facilities at the Country Park.

"The proposed development will also enhance the attractiveness of the country park as a destination for outdoor recreation and will clearly support the LPA's stated goal "enable everyone to get active, get creative and get outdoors, more often.""

Work on an £8,854,198 project at Rother Valley Country Park recently got underway.

Images: Google Maps /RMBC

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News: National bar group preparing to open at Forge Island

A fast-growing café-bar and dining business is taking steps to open at the Forge Island leisure development in Rotherham town centre.

Forge Island is the town centre's new landmark leisure destination delivered by Rotherham Council in partnership with Muse. The £47m development includes an 8-screen boutique cinema operated by The Arc Cinema and a 69-roomed Travelodge Hotel but new food outlets are yet to open.

Rothbiz reported last month that a number of operators had signed up and agreed to terms, and the first looks to be Loungers plc.

Loungers has grown from one brand and one site in 2002 to three brands and 280 sites today. The business comprises three distinct but complementary brands: Lounge café-bar, Cosy Club bar and dining concept, and Brightside roadside dining.

Loungers UK Limited has now applied for a premises licence for a unit at Forge Island, indicating that it would operate under the Lounge brand.

On plans for Forge Island, 5,618 sq ft Unit 4 is shown as the largest of the remaining units, a purpose-built restaurant building overlooking the new landscaped area alongside the River Don. On other plans, Unit 4 is shown as a 2,500 sq ft unit within the cinema building.

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The application is for the sale of alcohol, for consumption on and off the premises, on every day of the week between 10am and midnight and for the provision of late-night refreshment on every day of the week between 11pm and 12.30am on the following day.

The Lounge brand is designed to create "a home from home, offering delicious food and drinks, all day, on your doorstep." It is described as a neighbourhood café-bar combining elements of a restaurant, British pub and coffee shop culture. The offer includes breakfasts, brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks with a wide range including full kid's, gluten-free and vegan menus.

Lounges are principally located in secondary suburban high streets and small town centres and the estate has a consistent look and feel but each Lounge is individually named and tailored to the site and local area. Lounge currently operates at The Glass Works in Barnsley and Fox Valley in Sheffield.

With each new site, nearly £1m is invested into the local area and an average of 30 new jobs are created.

AIM-listed Loungers plc is currently undergoing a buyout by an American investment group which places its value at £350.5m.

Loungers has consistently reported revenue growth, and sector-leading like-for-like sales growth in spite of challenging trading conditions for UK hospitality as a result of, amongst other things, COVID, inflation and the cost of living crisis.

Directors expect to continue to open around 36 new sites per annum.

Lounge website
Forge Island website

Images: Google Maps / Loungers

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News: Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber welcomes new president

Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber has appointed experienced business owner Matt Travis as its new president.

Travis took over the helm of the member-led organisation from outgoing president Matthew Stephens at Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber’s recent annual general meeting, which was held at the Barnsley Civic.

With a background in planning and environmental consultancy, Matt co-founded environmental and planning consultancy Enzygo in 2008. Under Matt’s leadership, Enzygo has grown from a company employing three people to a 80-strong workforce, which operates from offices in Sheffield, Belfast, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff and Manchester. Today, the specialist environmental planning consultancy helps a diverse range of businesses operating in the housing, energy and transport sectors.

During the AGM, Matt outlined the vision for presidency by announcing a commitment to ensure that the voices of South Yorkshire businesses are heard within Government, a pledge to help SMEs harness new opportunities presented through net zero, as well as reaffirming the Chamber’s commitment to its buy local agenda.

The event also saw business consultant and founder of IEKOS, Hayley Koseoglu appointed as vice president, and Mark Smith join Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber’s senior leadership team as deputy vice president.

Over the past 12 months, Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber has gone from strength to strength, welcoming 118 new members into the organisation, as well as successfully delivering 147 training courses and hosting a diverse range of networking events: from its popular annual Chamber Means Business Expo to the Chamber’s glittering awards ceremony.

The Chamber has also successfully launched a dedicated property forum, bringing together representatives from construction, property and public sector organisations to unlock the planning system. The Chamber has also been working collaboratively with Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to encourage key public sector organisations to buy local. As a direct result of this work, more than £70m has been reinvested back into the local economy.

Matt Travis, President, Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, said: “Chambers of commerce hold a truly unique place in the communities they serve and we should be proud of our achievements over the past 12 months. However, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels, and with many businesses in the region facing uncertain futures, Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber will continue to do everything in its power to create an environment where businesses of all sizes can unlock their full potential.

"The budget was a difficult one for many businesses, and one of my top priorities will be to work closely with South Yorkshire’s members of parliament to ensure their concerns are heard. I feel particularly proud of the steps the Chamber has made towards building stronger local supply chains, and as a direct result of this work, more than £70m has been retained within the local economy over the past year alone.

"I first joined Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber shortly after launching my own business. During that time, the support we have received from other chamber members, the dedicated staff working tirelessly behind the scenes, as well as the opportunities to collaborate with others has been instrumental in the growth and development of Enzygo. In my new role as president, I am looking forward to working alongside our 1100 strong membership and helping to create an environment where businesses of all sizes across South Yorkshire can truly prosper.”

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Matthew Stephens, Immediate Past President, said “Looking back over the past two years, I think we can be incredibly proud of our achievements. Today, Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber ranks as one of the top performing chambers of commerce in the UK in terms of growth and member retention. I feel particularly proud of the steps we have taken to launch the Chamber’s dedicated property forum, which is already reaping dividends.

"It’s been an incredible honour to be president of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber. Matt and I have worked closely over the past two years, and I look forward to continuing to support him during his presidency.”

Carrie Sudbury, Chief Executive, Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, added: “The success we have achieved over the past 12 months is a testament to our hard-working staff, as well as the vision and drive of our past president Matthew Stephens. I feel particularly proud that Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber continues to be one of the top performing chambers in the UK, in terms of membership growth, retention and the many different opportunities the organisation provides to give its members the chance to connect and engage with others.

"Our new president Matt Travis, has played an integral role to the realisation of our ambitions in recent years, and I am looking forward to working alongside him to continue to equip businesses across South Yorkshire with the vital support needed to prosper.”

Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber provides support and representation to more than 1100 members, ranging from sole traders and SMEs to some of the region’s largest employers. Collectively, the Chamber represents a 70,000-strong workforce and provides support and representation to business owners across the region.

Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber website

Images: BR Chamber

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News: Accountants help build foundations for construction company

Local firm, Henworth Construction Limited is now open for business, with support from South Yorkshire-based accountants, Brearley & Co.

Led by experienced industry professionals James Halksworth and Neil Hennessey, Henworth Construction is poised to make a significant impact on the market with a focus on large-scale commercial projects across all major sectors.

Committed to delivering high-quality, cost-effective solutions, the Thurnscoe, Barnsley enterprise already boasts an impressive client roster across retail, logistics, leisure & health / living sectors, including M&S, Pure Gym, ASDA, Barchester Healthcare and Newsholme Developments.

The launch follows a management buy-out of UC Build North Ltd by some of its directors and a subsequent rebranding.

The establishment of Henworth Construction was made possible with the support of Rotherham-based accountancy firm Brearley & Co.. Setting the stage for future success, Brearley & Co provided expert financial guidance and support throughout the process, ensuring a smooth transition.

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James Halksworth, Director of Henworth Construction, said: “With decades of combined experience, we’re excited to launch Henworth Construction and bring our expertise to the UK construction market.

"We’re passionate about building and look forward to working with clients to bring their projects to life, both locally and nationwide.”

Mark Smallman, Managing Director at Brearley & Co said: “Leveraging our network and financial expertise, we helped Henworth secure funding and partnerships, ensuring a smooth launch. Our team worked closely to provide tailored financial advice and introduced them to Charlotte Higgins of Taylor Emmet Solicitors, Dave Mathieson of Begbies Traynor and Tom Adamson from Lloyds Banking Group who gave the business support."

Henworth Construction has a strong team of skilled professionals with a wealth of experience in the construction industry. The company is committed to quality, trust and clear communication, and strives to exceed client expectations on every project.

Henworth Construction website

Images: Brearley & Co

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News: Piling works complete on £4.1m Rotherham Riverside project

It will have sounded like something reminiscent of the thumping of the old Rotherham Forge and Rolling Mills and now more than 250 sheet piles have been installed as part of a project to open up a riverside area of the town centre for development.

Esh Construction commenced public realm improvement works in the Water Lane area earlier this year. £4.1m of upgrades on land just off Westgate are creating a new access road a new walkway along the River Don into the town centre to complement the new housing developments and leisure scheme at Forge Island.

Specialist techniques have been employed and a total of 127 pairs of piles, weighing up to six tonnes each, have been installed with varying lengths between 14-18m through a five-week period. A temporary piling mat, which extends to 170m long, 8m wide and 550mm deep and equating to 1,500 tonnes of capping was also constructed to support the heavy plant and machinery that will be used throughout the piling works.

Esh has already carried out remediation and repair work to the river walls.

Michael Sherrard, Construction Manager at ESH, said: “In our investigations into the designs for a new pathway, we discovered that the existing brick wall would not support the new footpath, so we had to provide a new piled foundation that had a 100-year design life and that’s where the sheet piling construction comes in.

“These are about as long a sheet pile you are likely to use along a section of riverbank like this and the sections being installed are some of the heaviest available on the market.”

The logistics of getting the 18m sheet piles to site brought challenges with police escorts and movement orders, as well as getting the crane and the rig to site too.

It is anticipated that as the existing riverbank erodes, the new piled foundation to the footpath, with accompanying balustrade would become the new exposed river wall in time, futureproofing the river bank and maintaining the footpath at the same time.

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Esh Construction worked closely with piling experts Sheet Piling UK during this key phase in the project. Emirates Steel Arkan (EMSTEEL) GreenSheetPile™ low carbon sheet piles were used to create the lowest amount of embodied (embedded) carbon within the required sheet piles.

The manufacturing process behind GreenSheetPile™ – the Electric Arc Furnace method – results in much lower amounts of embedded carbon within the finished steel products produced than is the global steel industry norm. Where a typical amount of embedded carbon with global steel sheet pile is 2,300kg per tonne of finished product, the GreenSheetPile™ sheet piles have an embedded carbon value of 708kg per tonne of finished product.

Sheet Piling UK’s director, Andrew Cotton, said: “We are delighted to have worked in a collaborative manner on the Rotherham Riverside project with Esh Construction to ensure the complex sheet piling works were delivered safely, on programme, and within budget. The sheet piling works represented a key element of the project and having a reliable supply chain partner to deliver such works is key to the overall success of the project.”

Other works on the Riverside have included cut and fill operations, deep drainage works and Japanese knotweed removal, with gabion baskets planned to create a retaining wall feature along the new pathway.

The next phase of the works, moving into 2025, will see the piling mat removed and the area between the wall and deep piles back filled, with the capping beam and balustrades to be fitted, enabling the team to proceed with the construction of the new pathway.

Having acquired the land in the area in 2022, Rotherham Council has identified Riverside Residential Quarter Phase 2 in the next phase of regeneration for the town centre, working up the first stages of planning and feasibility for more housing.

Esh website

Images: ESH

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News: Brand-new T Level facilities at Rotherham college

A multimillion pound upgrade at RNN Group's college campus in Rotherham town centre has been completed. It has been designed to help create the next generation of skilled employees by overhauling college facilities for T Level students.

The £8m project is bolstered by government-backed capital funding, cutting-edge T Level centres have been created at RNN's Rotherham and North Notts campuses.

The latest renovations have breathed new life into the colleges’ existing spaces. These new-look learning environments have been modernised to the unique demands of the technical qualifications, featuring bespoke classrooms and hands-on learning areas.

Students need a space that gives a seamless transition to working out in the field on placement. Specialist facilities, such as a simulation clinical ward, virtual reality digital suite, high-tech hair and beauty salon, and ground-breaking construction centre, are poised to redefine the T Level learning experience.

Keith Sanderson, director of campus at Rotherham College, said that the T Level projects have been all about improving the student experience. He said: "Whenever we do any work on campus, it’s always with the mindset of ‘will it enhance learning?’ Our vision is to ensure our learners leave college as fully skilled and well-rounded tradespeople.

In return we want our learners to take ownership and responsibility for their new spaces, creating those positive behaviours that make students more employable when they leave college like time management, communication and being proactive.”

T Levels are the new era of post-GCSE learning. The two-year technical qualifications are a popular alternative to A-Levels that combine classroom learning with 45 days of work placements. One T Level is the equivalent of three A-Levels and they are assessed using a mixture of practical tasks, projects and exams.

RNN Group is diversifying its educational landscape by introducing a wide range of T Levels across its three further education colleges. T Levels are now available in areas like construction, digital, education and childcare, engineering, health, and business administration.

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In Rotherham a 12-month renovation project at the town centre campus’s Clifton Building has been the biggest project undertaken here in recent years. The £4m construction centre brings all four sub-specialisms of bricklaying, joinery, plumbing and electrical installation under one roof. Previously, the department had been split over two sites: Rawmarsh Road and the Clifton Building.

An old library has been renovated to create a two-storey multi-purpose workshop that is flexible and future-proof.

Each floor houses practical multi-use bays, with workings for bricklaying, joinery, plumbing and electrics so that our construction students can get a flavour of all areas of construction. A new lift can transport building materials up to the relevant floors.

There are breakout areas with IT resources for planning and theory work along with health, safety and welfare lessons. It has a CAD and VR suite with computer-aided design software and virtual reality technology for students interested in site surveying and construction specific drawing techniques.

In the new digital suite at Rotherham College there is a virtual reality suite, gaming room, animation studio, a green room for podcasting. The new digital suite will be used by our future web developers and software engineers who are studying T Levels in digital and digital design and production. It will also be used by students who are studying games design and development.

It also has new cyber labs for use by our cyber security HTQ students when they’re doing hands-on tasks like pentesting and digital forensics.

In the future, other departments from the Rotherham campus will be able to use the VR facilities for their courses, too.

RNN Group website

Images: RNN Group

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News: Chair announced for South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership

Sarah McLeod, CEO of Wentworth Woodhouse has been announced as the new chair of South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership Advisory Group.

The South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership is a collaboration between the South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority SYMCA, Sheffield City Council, City of Doncaster Council, Rotherham MBC, and Barnsley MBC. Its purpose is to work collectively on shared priorities and targets to foster the growth of the local visitor economy.

As Chair, Sarah will establish and lead an Advisory Group made up of key stakeholders from Visitor Economy businesses across the region.

Sarah joined Wentworth Woodhouse in May 2017 as CEO to steer the regeneration of the Rotherham stately home in what was described as “arguably the UK’s greatest heritage restoration of a generation.” Seven years later and the project continues to go from strength to strength with a turnover of £3.5m a year and successfully raised funding for and delivered £30m of capital works. Earlier this year Sarah was also awarded and OBE for her services to the heritage sector.

Sarah McLeod said: “I am delighted to be announced as the Chair of the South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership, and I look forward to the next steps which will involve recruiting members to the advisory group in the coming months. I look forward to working closely with the destination partners and VisitEngland to take the partnership forward as well as celebrating and making the most of what this region has to offer both visitors and local people.“

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Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire added: “I’m South Yorkshire’s biggest champion. We’re the birthplace of football and the home of snooker, we powered the Industrial Revolution and have England’s oldest national park. We celebrate art, music, and literature like nowhere else. And now through the Local Visitor Economy Partnership we have the opportunity to share our beauty, our history, our culture and our talent with the rest of the world.

“I know Sarah McCleod OBE will be a fantastic champion for South Yorkshire and will join me in shouting about how amazing South Yorkshire truly is.”

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “I am very pleased to welcome Sarah as the new Chair of the South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP).

“This announcement shines a timely spotlight on the industry’s economic importance and the fantastic work underway with stakeholders across the region to grow the visitor economy. We look forward to continuing to work with the South Yorkshire LVEP, building on the region’s success and ensuring it remains a top destination for both domestic and international visitors now and in the years ahead.”

Rothbiz reported last year that the South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership was accredited by VisitEngland. It is being led by representatives from Marketing Sheffield and sector leads from the partner authorities to deliver a plan for growth. The partnership held its inaugural stakeholder event at Magna Science Adventure Centre earlier this year which also saw the launch of the South Yorkshire Destination Management Plan.

Wentworth Woodhouse website

Images: WWPT

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News: Rotherham colliery restoration plans updated

A planning application has been submitted to make changes to a reclamation scheme of Maltby Colliery in Rotherham that would have seen the Green Belt returned into woodland and grassland by 2023.

Owned and operated by Hargreaves Services plc, the 500 acre colliery was mined for over 100 years until geological conditions could not be overcome and underground operations ceased in 2013.

It had been expected to continue coal production until 2025 but the winding tower was brought down in 2014 and the mine shafts have been filled and capped. With the sudden closure, the future restoration scheme, included in the planning permission for the mine's operation, was re-examined and plans were approved in 2017.

Rothbiz reported earlier this year on the intention of the site owner to update the plans.

The 2017 scheme, which has been delayed by COVID, involved cut and fill operations and the importation of 1.32 million tonnes of suitable fill material and 150,000 tonnes of soil making materials. The 2024 scheme includes the importation of approximately 1.63 million cubic metres of suitable fill, including soil making materials, and would extend the restoration until the end of September 2033.

The latest application also confirms proposals to develop a quarry on the north east part of the pit yard which would provide for the extraction of 3.9 million tonnes of magnesian limestone to supply local markets and those further afield.

After quarrying and backfilling, a development platform for beneficial employment use would be created.

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Reagrding traffic impacts, the plans explain: "It is assumed that approximately 300,000 tonnes per annum of fill, including soil making materials, will be imported by HGVs using the existing site access off the A631 Tickhill Road during the Proposed Development.

"Mineral export by HGVs will be approximately 200,000 tonnes per annum during Phases 3 to 7 inclusive [up to 2029] and it is envisaged that two thirds will be round trip movements importing fill on the return leg to the Site. This will generate an average of 128 HGV movements (64 in/64 out) per working day similar to the currently approved reclamation scheme. It is assumed that the remainder of the fill import and mineral export will be by train using the existing rail head on the pit yard until the end of September 2033, with up to 16 trains per week."

It is envisaged that fill material will typically include inert and/or non-hazardous wastes such as construction and demolition arisings. A permit from the Environment Agency will be required.

Applicants, Maltby Management Limited (MML), add that the new scheme "represents a safe, sustainable and appropriate proposal which is achievable in both a practical and economic sense and is not reliant on European, national or local government funding which is no longer considered available.

"MML anticipate that any ‘gate fee’ revenue received from the import of fill, including and soil making materials, to the Site will contribute towards the cost of implementing the reclamation of the Colliery Tip and MML will need to finance any residual balance to complete the Scheme where necessary."

In 2023 Hargreaves exchanged contracts on 28-acre site at Maltby for the sale of 185 residential plots that will generate gross proceeds of £4.9m.

Hargreaves website

Images: Google Maps

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News: Medical equipment manufacturer moves back to Rotherham

Wassenburg Ltd, which is a world leader in manufacturing endoscope reprocessing products and solutions, has taken a 10,900 sq ft modern warehouse and office unit at Ignite @ Magna Business Park in Rotherham.

The Dutch-owned company is taking a five-year lease, at a headline rent of £8.95 per sq ft at Templeborough.

The move is made possible by global steel business Danieli moving from Templeborough to a new purpose built headquarters in a prime plot on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

Andrew Betts, Managing Director of Danieli, said: "As part of Danieli’s relocation to the Advanced Manufacturing Park following significant expansion, Knight Frank was appointed to market our former premises which offered a high quality, industrial/business unit, with above average office content. Following strong interest, a letting to Wassenburg was agreed and Nick Wales of Knight Frank Sheffield has been retained to sell the investment."

Rebecca Schofield of Knight Frank, who dealt with the letting, added: “The Ignite at Magna Development continues to prove popular; the premises are of high quality and are well located with easy access to J33 and 34 M1. Unit 4 Ignite was well received to the market and the layout and fit out proved attractive to occupiers. Wassenburg was attracted to the quality of the unit and the split between office and warehouse space, and it is great to see them relocate and expand in the area.”

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In 2011 Wassenburg transferred its UK operation from Hellaby to Smithy Wood in Sheffield.

Rakesh Javer, Managing Director at Wassenburg, said: “We are delighted to relocate to Unit 4 Ignite. The high-quality facilities and strategic location provide the perfect base for our operations as we continue to expand and serve our customers more effectively.”

Ignite @ Magna offers easy access into Rotherham and Sheffield. It is also around one mile from Junction 34 of the M1, and also close to Junction 33 of the M1 allowing distribution networks across the entire country. Well known occupiers nearby include ETA, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Parcel Force and AESSEAL.

Wassenburg was established in 1984 by Gerrit Wassenburg, and has developed from a family company into a global player as an expert in all aspects related to automated endoscope reprocessing.

Since its establishment, Wassenburg, with headquarters in The Netherlands, has grown exponentially and has sales offices in The UK, Ireland, France, Germany, the US and an exclusive distributors network in Europe, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

Wassenburg website
Danieli website

Images: Knight Frank

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News: Plans approved for houses at Waverley Railside

The planning board at Rotherham Council has voted to approve an application for one of the remaining plots of land at the massive Waverley development in Rotherham.

At Yorkshire's largest ever brownfield mixed-use development, Harworth Group is transforming the former Orgreave coal mining site in to a new sustainable community that will comprise up to 3,890 homes, shops, restaurants, a primary school, and leisure and community facilities, including 310-acres of green open space.

177 dwellings are proposed for a plot of land known as Plot 4 or Waverley Railside.

The site is bound by Highfield Spring to the north, the Sheffield-Worksop-Lincoln railway to the south, and industrial units to the east and west (Pasuda and the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP)).

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As plans progress for housing on the site, a potential Waverley train station is also being progressed by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA). This would be potentially located next to this site on the Sheffield-Worksop-Lincoln line and be centred on the existing railway bridge which would be upgraded to provide access for all users of the potential new railway hub.

With a mix of housing sizes, from 1 bed to 4 bed, the planning board heard that 113 affordable housing units are to be provided on the site (63.8%), including five 4-bed affordable dwellings and 12 1-bed affordable dwellings.

Jane Beckett, associate director at Barton Wilmore, presented the plans to the planning board on behalf of Harworth Group. She told the board that the plans "deliver much needed affordable housing - a mix of size and tenure will all help to contribute to that affordable provision needed locally. We've tried to work with officers, not to argue about viability, to make sure we are achieving the 21% overall on site."

A number of objections were received but planners concluded that: "The proposed development adequately addresses how the development does not affect the amenity of any existing nearby residents, and that the amenity of the future residents will also be acceptable" given the location near to the road and railway line.

Waverley website

Images: Harworth / nineteen47

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News: £11.5m new road opens in Rotherham

There is some Christmas cheer for shoppers and commuters as a delayed new link road in Rotherham opens.

The new 800 metre road between Aldwarke Lane and both Stonerow Way and Stadium Way provides a second access route to Parkgate Shopping, via a roundabout between the two railway bridges. It is designed to relieve existing congestion on the A633 around Parkgate Shopping and improve traffic flow and bus journey times on the corridor and wider road network.

In addition to improving the vehicular, walking and cycling infrastructure, also included in the scheme is a new 300-space Park & Ride facility for the Parkgate Tram Train terminus, including electric vehicle bays.

The Parkgate Link Road has opened to traffic creating a new entrance and exit from Parkgate Shopping for the festive season but work continues on the car park for the Park & Ride.

Contractors Tilbury Douglas began work on the scheme at the start of 2023 with an initial completion date of February 2024.

Rothbiz reported in July how the completion date was pushed back to "Autumn 2024" as costs increased.

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The majority of funding is coming from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) Transforming Cities Fund.

Tilbury Douglas' appointment was based on a competitive tender which was completed in December 2021 on a fixed price basis, held until April 2022. The contract was worth £8,420,930 but the planning application wasn’t submitted until August 2022 and the preferred contractor "could not hold their tendered price which was increased to £9,293,987.05."

Various issues with earthworks, drainage, design changes and statutory undertakers’ diversions have occurred during the contract and resulted in an increase to £11.478m.

It is not clear what effect the cost increases will have on the £1.7m needed for upgrades to Taylor's Lane roundabout that was highlighted in the initial scheme.

Rothbiz also reported on how the new road has spurred landowners and developers into action. Outline plans were approved for five units for B2 General industrial and B8 Storage or distribution with a gross external area of 434,862 sq ft on a remaining 22 acre plot of undeveloped land bordered by Aldwarke Lane, Parkgate Shopping, the railway line and the new link road.

The Stadium Group successfully developed Parkgate Shopping retail park in the Enterprise Zone created on the former Parkage steel works. The remaining land was historically used to dispose of blast furnace slag associated with the former steel works and formerly contained coke ovens, a tarred slag works, railway sidings, liquid waste lagoons and a subsequent aggregate working plant.

Images: Tom Austen

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News: First festive season at Forge Island

Visitors to Forge Island in Rotherham can now enjoy some extra special "sparkle" lighting up the new leisure destination throughout the festive season.

To mark its first Christmas since completion, nationwide place maker, Muse – who delivered the scheme in partnership with Rotherham Council – has funded a new light installation in the form of a giant present wrapped in a bow which is now in situ in the attractive waterside setting.

The new landmark development for the town, Forge Island, which officially launched with a special celebration event in September, is home to independent movie theatre, The Arc Cinema and Travelodge Hotel, with a host of eateries set to join the neighbourhood in the coming months.

Raife Gale, Senior Project Manager at Muse said: “We wanted to celebrate the first Christmas season here with something special, and we hope this striking light installation will help spread a little festive cheer. I know there will be lots of people heading to the cinema to enjoy a Christmas film or visiting from further afield to stay at the hotel whilst seeing friends and family locally – and this is a gift from us to welcome everyone coming to enjoy Forge Island.”

The new light installation is a welcome addition to Rotherham town centre’s colourful Christmas illuminations – with hundreds of local people attending the town centre’s official light switch on earlier this month. Forge Island played its part in the celebrations – with processional performances from Punjabi Roots Dhol drummers across the new pedestrian bridge; a sound and light installation entitled ‘Breathe’ by Sheffield-based theatre company Pif-Paf and Moon Palace – a former school bus converted into a mobile observatory and artwork - parking up to offer people an opportunity to ‘star gaze’ on site.

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Andrew Bramidge, Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment at Rotherham Council: "The light installation at Forge Island looks fantastic and we'd love to see shoppers visiting Forge Island to take photos with it. We'd like to thank Muse for gifting the installation to Rotherham this Christmas.

"Forge Island is a key part of Rotherham town centre's bright future and we can't wait to welcome new food and drink offers over the coming months to join Arc Cinema and Travelodge. There's lots of work going on behind the scenes and announcements will follow soon, but in the meantime, we'd urge everyone to try Arc Cinema - especially with Christmas blockbusters hitting the screens - with free 3.5-hour parking for cinema goers."

In addition to big name showings including Moana 2 and Wicked, Arc are getting into the Christmas spirit with classic Christmas films for £5, event cinema with The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol, discounted family tickets, and a prize draw.

Forge Island has been completely transformed from a derelict site – which has historical significance as a former foundry and an iron works – into a flagship leisure destination for the town. Together with Rotherham Markets, the improvements at Forge Island are a key part of Rotherham Council’s large-scale regeneration plans which are a catalyst for kickstarting new life into the heart of the borough.

It is hoped that Forge Island will continue to be a central hub for family-friendly activities year-round and the team are exploring opportunities for even more activities to complement other events across the town.

Forge Island is located next to Rotherham train and tram station and there is free parking available on site for cinemagoers and Travelodge users. It is also free to park in all other Council-owned off-street town centre car parks every weekend.

Forge Island website

Images: Muse / RMBC

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News: Rother Valley MP "really concerned" over huge solar farm plans

Jake Richards, MP for Rother Valley, has met with the company that has started consultation on early stage plans for a massive solar farm that could take up acres of green belt land in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported last month on Whitestone Solar Farm, which if constructed, would generate up to 750MW of energy, enough to power up to 250,000 homes.

Consultation documents show that vast areas of agricultural land in Rotherham and Doncaster, some safeguarded for the now-cancelled HS2 route, could make up the solar farm. Sites in the Rother Valley constituency include fields near to Bramley and Wickersley, near Ulley, Aston and Brampton, out towards North and South Anston, and close to Kiveton Park, Harthill and Woodall.

Solar developer Green Nation has begun consultation on the scheme that would be classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and would not be determined by Rotherham Council, instead a Development Consent Order (DCO) application would be decided at the national level by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

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Jake Richards MP, said: "This week, I met with the developers to find out more about the proposal, which is still at a very early stage. The proposal is not finalised and there has been no application to the Secretary of State.

"However, even at this early juncture I’m really concerned about this project. Whilst we need local energy infrastructure, the sheer scale of what is currently being proposed and the location of some of the sites is worrying. The application is not for me to allow or refuse, but I want to shape it and put pressure on the company to ensure it is done right, if it has to be done. This means we need to protect local green spaces, minimise disruption and invest in the local area. If they do not do this, I will oppose it."

In-person consultation events have begun and online consultation continues to January 17 2025.

Developers explained: "During this period, we are presenting our early proposals and asking for your feedback. This feedback, along with the results of ongoing environmental and technical assessments will help inform the updated project design that we present for our second round of consultation next year."

Whitestone Solar Farm website

Images: Google Maps

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News: Office to resi conversion in Rotherham town centre

Another office building in Rotherham town centre could be converted into flats according to recently submitted plans.

The Rotherham town centre masterplan of 2017 confirmed the need for more housing and leisure uses as a way to develop economic vitality, bringing more life, activity and spending back into the town centre and moving away from the traditional retail market.

A planning application has now been submitted for 34 - 46 Moorgate Street, which is close to Rotherham Town Hall.

The plans, from Century Grove Ltd, show the proposed internal conversion from offices to 16 apartments across three floors.

Provisional drawings from Mark Smith - Architectural Design, show a mixture of 1 and 2-bed flats.

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34 - 46 Moorgate Street is currently home to Oxley & Coward Solicitors and proposals would see around two thirds of their town centre office footprint converted.

A number of legal firms have moved out of Rotherham town centre in recent years. Malcolm C Foy to Moorgate Crofts business centre, Parker Rhodes Hickmotts from Moorgate Street to Templeborough and Foys from All Saints' Square.

The plans for 34 - 46 Moorgate Street state that "the building will be upgraded internally with sound reduction insulation to comply with the current building regulations" and the council's Environmental Health department don't foresee any issues with a change of use.

Officers from Environmental Health said: "The area is mixed commercial / residential in nature. A site visit has also been undertaken and it was evident that noise levels in this area were relatively low."

Other residential conversions in the area have taken place along Moorgate Street and also include Douglas House, formerly offices for Norton Finance, and Maya Property Developments converting a disused office building on Ship Hill.

Images: Google Maps

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News: Rotherham export experts set for expansion with £20m Santander support

Advanced Alloy Services, a Rotherham-based supplier of high purity metals, revert and toll-process for the manufacture of high temperature superalloys, has received a £20m funding package from Santander Corporate and Commercial Banking.

The aim is to grow its business both domestically and internationally, as it pursues its strategy for growth in the UK, US and Asia.

Founded in 1993 the company underwent an MBO in 2019 and now operates from a purpose built 44,000 sq ft facility in Dinnington on the former colliery site supplying high purity pure metals and fully processed and certified superalloy revert to customers all over the world.

The new financing agreement will also allow the business to expand its partnerships with UK universities to research and develop new critical metals recovery processes with material from secondary sources. Financial support from Santander will facilitate these crucial innovation projects and help the UK develop security of supply of critical minerals and metals, essential for key infrastructure projects. Metal recovery projects will also help towards Net Zero targets, by reducing reliance of metals from primary sources and corresponding high carbon emissions from mining and refining processes.

Earlier this year, Advanced Alloy Services was recognised for its outstanding achievements in International Trade with a King’s Award for Enterprise. A presentation recently took place in Dinnington with His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Dame Hilary Chapman.

The firm has a turnover of £56.7m and employs over 40 people.

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Stephen Hall, Managing Director, Advanced Alloy Services, said: "With our new financing arrangement, Santander has differentiated themselves from other banks. Crucially, they have demonstrated support for the UK metals industry and with it the UK Critical Mineral Strategy, helping security of supply essential for key infrastructure. The onboarding team have been exceptional and facilitated a smooth transition in record time."

Liz Pickering, Relationship Director, Santander Corporate and Commercial, added: “We are delighted to have supported Advanced Alloy Services and delivered a bespoke refinance package which will support the company’s exciting opportunity for UK and international growth. Advanced Alloy Services Ltd is a well-established local business growing in its sector. The remit at the outset from the management team was to provide a flexible funding solution to enable the metal supplier to maximise international growth, which we achieved by working alongside UKEF. This has been collaborative approach, and we look forward to continue working with the Advanced Alloy team.”

The package includes a £10m General Export Finance facility (GEF), £10m Invoice Finance, FX facilities, and transactional banking, which offers the metals business flexibility, tailored to its needs.

Advanced Alloy Services website
Santandar website

Images: Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire / x

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News: Rotherham's first-ever Dutch-style junction?

A busy roundabout on the edge of Rotherham town centre could be changed to give priority to pedestrians and cyclists as part of a proposed multimillion pound upgrade.

Rothbiz reported in September that £1.05m of development funding had been released by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) to Rotherham Council to work up an improvement scheme at Ickles roundabout at Templeborough.

A £7.5m scheme aims to deliver "bus passenger journey time savings, improved bus journey reliability, better walking & cycling journey ambiance and mode shift."

The roundabout, which currently has underpasses for cyclists and pedestrians, is at the heart of the active travel schemes from Templeborough to Rotherham town centre.

Now Rotherham Council is looking for expertise from the private sector to work out if it could become a Dutch-style junction, but only if the impact on traffic is "acceptable."

Dutch-style roundabouts would give priority to pedestrians and cyclists with reduced road widths on the roundabout and entry and exit points designed to increase safety by slowing traffic. Drivers would reduce speeds and give way to pedestrians and cyclists on the approach to the roundabout. Drivers must also give way on the exit of the roundabout.

The theory is that slower speeds will mean that road users have more time to adjust and react to others using the road and crossings.

Dutch-style junctions, or protected junctions, separate people travelling on foot, by cycle, and in vehicles. This approach reduces the likelihood of conflicts and simplifies the operation of the junction into fewer stages, resulting in a more efficient traffic flow.

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Tender documents for "Dutch Roundabout Design Consultancy" state: "Rotherham Council is seeking to explore available skills and experience in the market place to consider if RMBC can subsequently engage a specialist transport consultant to determine whether a Dutch style signalised crossroads with at-grade pedestrian and cycle crossings can be accommodated at the Ickles roundabout (S60 post code) with an acceptable impact on traffic.

"The junction should also include bus priority. This exercise will be completed before letting a design and build contract as it may allow one of two options to be ruled out, providing much greater certainty."

Funding is coming from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS), £570m from the government to the region to bring significant improvements to South Yorkshire’s transport system.

SYMCA's Active Travel Implementation Plan sets out how, by 2040, a fully connected network of walking and cycling routes will link the region, transforming communities and ensure that people have the means and the confidence to leave their cars at home, and choose to travel on foot or by bicycle.

The recently completed Sheffield Road Cycleways project has delivered over 2km of new cycle routes on the A6178 Sheffield Road and Westgate between the town centre and the borough boundary at Tinsley. The route will provide a near seamless connection for cycling from beyond Meadowhall through to the Broom area.

Images: Google Maps

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News: Plans in for new micro pub in Rotherham

A Rotherham-based interiors company is hoping to fit out its new office building with a micro pub.

RWS Plastering & Drylining Ltd took on an empty former DIY retail store on Effingham Street in 2023, converting it into a modern office with a showroom shop for themselves, and at the same creating new commercial units.

A change of use application has been made relating to the whole building so that it can operate as three units.

A hairdressers has taken one unit with a café, run by enterprising owners associated with RWS, also taking space. The refit has uncovered space within the cellar of the building and the plan is to use this as part of a licensed venue.

Ow Do! Café & Bar is currently open and serves breakfasts, lunch and a variety of daily specials.

Operators are also wanting to use the rear of the building, which backs onto the River Don, with outdoor seating in an existing covered area accessed from the café / bar.

A premises licence has already been secured for the supply of alcohol between 12:00 and 23:30.

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Documents submitted with the plans state: "The proposal was to create a new Headquarters to house multiple offices, staff facilities and a meeting room required for the thriving Rotherham based dry lining, plastering and interior design company RWS.

"It also required a professional look including a welcoming, modest showroom front entrance which allowed existing and future clients to visit and experience the quality of the companies [sic] work and products.

"This allowed the use of two further units across the front and also the redundant cellar which was professionally stripped and tanked to make certain the buildings integrity was secured. The central [unit] is occupied by a hair stylist company while the final right-hand unit has a modern, American feel café which is ran by people associated with RWS. The basement is to be use as a micro pub with ample seating for 50.

"The proposed micro pub has also thrilled one of Rotherham’s best restaurants, El Lupo's, which is only a few doors down on Effingham Street. As their seating is at capacity most evenings, their bar area is compact and the concept of having somewhere sophisticated and finished to a high specification with modern facilities to offer their awaiting clientele until their tables are ready is a huge benefit for them."

The council's Environmental Health department has commented on the plans and its Noise Assessment Report, advising that conditions be attached to any planning permission restricting opening hours to 12:00 - 23:00 and for no amplified music or audio other than low level background music shall be played in the outdoor areas as the location is classed as a mixed residential/commercial area.

RWS website

Images: Google Maps

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