News: Rotherham Council reiterates issues with Whitestone solar proposals

Rotherham Council's issues with a massive solar farm proposed in the borough are set to be discussed this week.

Plans recently moved to the next stage for Whitestone Solar Farm - a generating station with an estimated capacity of up to 750MW connecting to the National Grid Brinsworth Substation in Rotherham.

Whitestone is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), which means that it is applying for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to authorise its construction, operation and decommissioning. The final decision on a DCO application will be made at the national level by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Local councils are statutory consultees for NSIPs and a report is due to be presented to Rotherham's planning board this week before the Planning Inspectorate's preliminary meeting takes place next month.

On the use of Green Belt land, Rotherham Council set out that the solar farm conflicts with the Rotherham Local Plan and national policies, in that "the development would introduce substantial built form and industrialising features into land intended to remain open and to safeguard the setting and separation of settlements."

Promoters of the scheme, Green Nation, say that the proposed development is located on "grey belt land because the site does not strongly contribute to Green Belt purposes" and go on to say that "even if this position is not accepted, there are Very Special Circumstances that clearly outweigh any harm identified in terms of the five Green Belt purposes."

Rotherham Council does not agree with Green Nation's conclusion about land being grey belt given that there are historic towns nearby, that the land checks unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas and helps prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another.

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Rotherham Council has also raised issue with the loss of Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land and over the issue of the 60 year timescale, given that national policy is 40 years.

Concern has also been raised relating to the "scale, concentration and persistence of significant landscape and visual effects", particularly the impact on settlements such as North Anston, Wickersley, Ulley and Harthill, and various public rights of way and recreational routes.

Rotherham Council is also concerned about the harm to the setting of heritage assets and the proximity to a Local Wildlife Site at Brampton Common has been raised.

Concerns regarding the suitability and capacity of the proposed substation and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) location have been raised and on Biodiversity Net Gain, a way of creating and improving natural habitats, Rotherham Council said that "expressing an intention to achieve a 10% minimum gain does not go far enough."

The report concludes: "Whilst the Council recognises the contribution the proposal could make towards renewable energy generation and national net zero objectives, it maintains that a number of significant issues remain unresolved and require further assessment through the examination process."

The authority will continue working on its Local Impact Report - a comprehensive assessment of the likely impacts of the proposed development on the borough and one of the Council's principal pieces of evidence during the examination. It will also engage on the Statements of Common Ground, an important part of the examination process.

The planning inspectorate is currently accepting submissions from interested parties until October 27 before the formal examination process starts on November 10 with a preliminary meeting in Rotherham to establish the procedures, timetable and arrangements for the examination.

Images: Pexels / Mark Stebnicki

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News: University spin out scales up with £1.3m investment

Rotherham-based Productive Machines is eyeing expansion in Europe and the US following investment in its patent protected manufacturing machining technology.

The company is a spin out from the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and was founded by CEO Erdem Ozturk and CTO Huseyin Celikag, PhD experts in the field of machine dynamics and vibration.

Based within the Advanced Manufacturing Park's (AMP's) Technology Centre, Productive Machines uses a software simulation process called digital twinning to accelerate milling process design, reduce cycle time, eliminate quality problems and maximize productivity. Creating virtual replicas helps companies machine parts right the first time.

"SenseNC" software enables component manufacturers to optimise their machines for "first time right" machining, saving time and money by reducing material waste, increasing machine tool utilisation and improving quality.

The £1.3m investment has been led by existing investor Finance Yorkshire’s seedcorn fund with follow-on funding from ACT Venture Partners and Mercia Ventures.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has also invested in Productive Machines – its first equity investment in high value companies in South Yorkshire, supporting employment and commercial growth in leading digital manufacturing innovation.

The investment round was further supported by a £1.1m loan from Innovate UK.

The investment will support the company’s growth ambitions by creating local jobs and attracting more clients.

Target clients include large operators in the aerospace, defence, automotive, medical and precision engineering sectors.

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Erdem said: “Our clients machine complex, high-value components where a single scrapped part is costly. Our software removes the trial and error from their processes. SenseNC optimises the cutting conditions digitally before the machine touches metal so they get it right the first time and get more out of the machines they already own."

Productive Machines chairman Matthew Scherba added: “The investment from SYMCA and continued support from our existing investors enables us to help local manufacturers reshore back to the UK, including South Yorkshire, more aggressively commercially scale up our existing products in European and US markets and commercially launch our exciting new innovation.”

Finance Yorkshire Chief Executive Alex McWhirter said: “Productive Machines has proved the potential of its SenseNC software products which are enabling companies to optimise their component manufacturing.

“Finance Yorkshire is pleased to be part of a substantial investment round which will enable Productive Machines to grow through further innovation and the capture of new clients across Europe and the US.”

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: "Productive Machines is a great example of the talent, ideas and innovation we have right here in South Yorkshire. Our £450,000 investment, combined with private sector backing, will help them expand their capacity, bring new products to market, and reach new customers both here in the UK and around the world.

" I want South Yorkshire to be a place where ambitious businesses with good ideas can start up, scale up, and succeed. When local companies like Productive Machines grow, they create good jobs, drive innovation and help to build a bigger and better economy.”

Productive Machines website

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News: Rotherham Council refuses plans for 24hr gaming centre

Plans to convert a vacant former bank in Rotherham town centre into a 24 hour adult gaming centre have been refused.

Rothbiz reported last month on plans from London-based Chongie Entertainment UK Ltd which trades as Little Vegas and Little Macau.

A relatively new entrant in the adult gaming centre (AGC) UK market, the Little Vegas brand was established in 2020 and now has 18 venues, mainly across the South East of England.

The website explains: "Little Vegas brings the feel of the casino right to your local high street. We offer the latest slot machine games, giving players an authentic and modern gaming experience."

Plans showed how the 1,500 sq ft unit would be brought back to life with rows of modern video slot machines around the edge with two islands of screens in the middle of the gaming centre.

A new lobby, toilet and coffee station are also shown on the plans which would create 7.5 FTE jobs.

The former Alliance & Leicester and Santander branch on College Street was most recently used as part of a family arcade.

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In refusing the plans without going through the council's planning board, officers concluded that a 24 hour operation would result in unacceptable noise and disturbance to neighbouring residents.

It was agreed that noise from within the premises could be controlled using mitigation measures but the same couldn't be said for noise generated outside the premises during the night,

The planning officer's report reads: "The proposal would result in customer arrivals and departures throughout the day and night, generating noise, activity and general disturbance in close proximity to residential properties. Unlike noise arising from within the premises, such impacts would be difficult to control or mitigate through planning conditions and, given the close relationship with nearby residential accommodation, are likely to adversely affect living conditions, particularly during night-time hours.

"The proposal is considered unacceptable and would result in significant harm to residential amenity."

Rotherham Council does operate a policy for supporting night-time entertainment uses but only when they "improve the range and diversity of uses within the town centre and do not give rise to unacceptable impacts on residential amenity." The policy further advises that uses operating beyond midnight will only be encouraged within the Westgate, Market Place and Corporation Street areas of the town centre.

The report said that the AGC use "does not support or contribute towards the retail function of the frontage" of the building which is on the town's primary shopping streets, and adds: "The proposal would not contribute positively towards the Council's strategy for directing and managing evening economy uses within Rotherham Town Centre and would fail to support the creation of a diverse and attractive town centre offer for a broad range of users."

The operator has had some success on securing planning permission for other towns on appeal, some for 24 hour operations and others with restricted hours.

In Rotherham, Rothbiz reported in 2022 that Merkur Slots had opened in a vacant unit following a partly successful planning appeal. It wanted a 24 hour operation but was restricted to operating between the hours of 8am and midnight.

In 2023, Royal Amusements secured planning permission for a vacant unit on Effingham Street for an AGC. Planners concluded that: "There is no doubt that the proposed use would not generate the level of footfall from a retail use, but in comparison to a vacant premises this would still be a benefit, including associated linked trips and employment."

Rotherham Council said that a 24-hour a day operation could not be supported and a condition was imposed to ensure that an otherwise unacceptable development could be made acceptable by limiting the opening hours to between 8am and midnight. An Adult Gaming Centre Premises Licence enabling 24 hour use of Category B machines here was approved by the Council's Licencing team earlier this year.

Images: BRH

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News: Bumpy ride continues for Rotherham-based bike retailer

The company that saved British bicycle designer and retailer Planet X Limited, has itself appointed liquidators, three years later.

In 2023, Planet X Limited was sold in a pre-pack deal to Winlong Garments Limited, a company funded by Baaj Capital LLP. The move saw all 33 employees transfer to the purchaser as part of the sale.

Founded in Sheffield and laterly operating from Aldwarke, Rotherham, the business has been designing and building road, gravel and mountain bikes for over 30 years, under brands including Planet X, Holdsworth, On-One and Titus. In addition, the company sells a range of clothing and accessories via its online store. In 2020, Planet X’s employees acquired the business from its founders and set up an Employee Owned Trust (EOT).

Earlier this month Winlong Garments Limited announced that it is to be wound up voluntarily with Jeremy Bleazard of XL Business Solutions appointed as liquidator.

The Planet X online store continues to trade, operated by Retail online Ltd, a Chesterfield-based business incorporated in August.

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Rothbiz reported in 2023 that a relative boom period during COVID, as people rushed to buy bikes, was followed by a slump in sales that led to cashflow problems at Planet X.

Revenue grew to £19.1m with a gross profit margin of 28% during 2021 but customer demand in 2022 and 2023 reduced, following the end of COVID-19 national lockdowns and reduced consumer confidence generally. In August 2022, the business experienced cash flow pressure and administrators, Interpath Advisory were brought in and organised a £535,000 pre-pack sale of the business.

One of the largest Planet X creditors was Santander who funded the company through a term loan and a trade loan with a total indebtedness of £6.26m. In the end, only £309,831 of the bank's debt was realised leading to a large shortfall.

Unsecured claims totaled £736,595 and a first and final dividend to unsecured creditors of 6.11p in the £ was agreed last year.

Planet X website

Images: Planet X

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News: Rotherham restaurants paired together

Two popular restaurants in Rotherham within yards of each other have confirmed plans to combine, according to Visit Rotherham

Rothbiz reported recently on The Garrison and The Olive Lounge in Wickersley, that both announced that they would close and both said that changes were on the menu.

The 1920s themed restaurant, The Garrison, opened in 2020 focusing is on British inspired local produce plus unique cocktails and proper beers. The Olive Lounge served authentic homemade tapas with quality wines, beers and original cocktails and the W Bars team announced at the end of 2025 that they had taken over the premises. The W Bars team are part of the same group that operates the W Italian Restaurant on nearby Bawtry Road.

An update on social media states that the team at The Garrison will be joining the team at The Olive Lounge as it transforms into Vida - a Mediterranean restaurant, cocktail bar, and music lounge.

Visit Rotherham reports that Elliott Vaughan, founder of The Garrison, said: "Roughly 1506 services later, that’s the last. Just short of 6 years of The Garrison and we’ve had a blast; for everyone who has joined us and supported us over the years, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It means everything to me, my team and my family, and you have been appreciated more than you know it.

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"We are incredibly excited to announce that we will be joining the team at The Olive Lounge (which has recently been taken over by W Italian). Together, we'll be bringing an exciting new lease of life to the venue as it transforms into Vida; a Mediterranean restaurant, cocktail bar, and music lounge. It's a project we're truly passionate about, and we can't wait to welcome both familiar faces and new ones through the doors. Keep an eye out for the launch of our social media pages and website where we'll be sharing more details over the coming weeks.

"As for The Garrison at 129 Bawtry Road, the future is still in the balance of what, or who is to come next. All will be disclosed upon finalising."

The Olive Lounge has recently seen its planning permission for an extension turned down by Rotherham Council.

Plans showed a single storey glass extension to the front facing Bawtry Road that would take the venue from 2,799 sq ft to 3,552 sq ft.

Planners objected to the appearance of the proposed extension concluding that it would be "a prominent addition which would materially affect the appearance and character of the host property and form an incongruous feature that would have a detrimental impact on the existing street scene."

In response, a new application has been submitted.

The latest plans are for a similar glazed front extension that would take the venue to 3,400 sq ft. The main difference between the two proposals is that the latest planned extension doesn't reach and follow the footpath boundary to the front of the property.

The former Garrison premises at 129a Bawtry Road benefits from planning permission for a change of use from a restaurant into a micropub and a decking area to front of the property.

However, as the premises is within the Cumulative Impact Zone, the current alcohol licence restricts the use of the premises so that it can only operate as a restaurant. Conditions state that the premises will not operate exclusively as a bar at any time and that alcohol shall only be served to customers seated.

Images: Olive Lounge / Google Maps

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