News: Plans drafted for new events and sports venue in Rotherham

A former works sporting facility tied to one of Rotherham's most famous companies could be brought back into use under ambitious new plans.

A licence application has been submitted to Rotherham Council for the site of the Guest & Chrimes pitches on Bassingthorpe Lane near Greasbrough.

The former iron and brass foundry of Guest & Chrimes once employed 400 people on the edge of Rotherham town centre. Sports clubs and pitches were often made available by large companies.

Having been out of use as sports facilities, the site's owners have tested the water with car boot sales in recent years. Now plans drafted for the licensing application show a new future for the site which is in the middle of the proposed Bassingthorpe residential development scheme.

The new application for a premises licence is from SME Enviromental Holdings LTD, the company behind a number of regeneration projects in Rotherham town centre, including The Empire and The Bunka.

If approved, it would enable the Bassingthorpe site to allow the outdoor provision of the following licensable activities:

- Live & Recorded Music, Plays, Films, & Dance;
- Late Night Refreshment; and the
- Sale of Alcohol

The application would be for between May and September and limits the provision licensable activities to a maximum of 16 occasions between 11am and 12 midnight on any day of the week.

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Bassingthorpe Meadows is advertised as having seven acres of space for events.

Plans show a large venue space complemented with a pavilion and café, plus 77 to 110 car parking spaces.

The plans also show seven padel courts and an area for golfing activities - a netted driving range with 13 bays, a chipping area, and a putting area.

Last year, a masterplan was approved for Bassingthorpe - a proposed 2,000 home development on former greenbelt land where the vision is to create a "well-connected 21st century garden community" close to the proposed new mainline station at Parkgate.

The masterplan included a new neighbourhood park and sports facilities at the heart of Bassingthorpe and stated that Bassingthorpe Lane "has potential to become a key active travel route between Greasbrough and Rotherham Town Centre and the new mainline station."

Images: Google Maps

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News: Padel court plan to enhance urban entertainment venue in Rotherham

Plans have been submitted to create padel courts on the heritage high street in Rotherham town centre.

Rothbiz reported last year on plans for some exciting new projects, including a new spa and a golf-themed bar complete with a simulator setup, from a local developer that specialises in restoring listed buildings and creating residential and commercial spaces.

The 2017 masterplan places a greater emphasis on town centre living and leisure, as opposed to traditional retail uses, in continuing the regeneration of Rotherham town centre.

Having previously converted the former Post Office on Main Street, created a boutique hotel in the historic George Wright Building, and restored the Empire Theatre, attention turned to an unused underground building next to the George Wright.

The Bunka opened earlier this year - a premium underground VIP golf simulator and leisure venue located on Snail Hill featuring state-of-the-art TrackMan technology, in-house PGA coaching and a members-only bar. A spa in the building is set to follow.

With the underground conversion well underway, things are looking up, with applicant, Mark McGrail of SME Holding Ltd, now unveiling plans for two padel courts to be constructed over the hotel's car park that sits above the Bunka.

The plan involves the installation of a simple metal deck for two padel courts over the existing car park.

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Plans, drawn up by Just Architecture, state: "The site is currently underutilised and offers an opportunity to enhance the character of the area.

"The development includes two padel courts accessed from the GW [George Wright] courtyard. It is believed that with this part of the development a sense of cohesiveness will be achieved given the access to the GW Hotel, Spa and simulated golf, all located within the same complex.

"The proposal for 2 No Padel Courts represents a sensitive and sustainable development opportunity that respects its historical context, makes efficient use of underutilised urban land, and delivers an additional element to this urban entertainment venue."

Given that the site is within the town's conservation area, and the George Wright is a listed building, the plans state that the height and massing have been sensitively designed. The required fencing and protective panels around the courts will be covered by canopies, which the plans state: "although quite high in relation to the GW Hotel it will have little impact upon the GW Hotel given its semi-transparent nature." The development is also easily reversible due to its construction.

LED lighting is also proposed and to fit in the courts, the structure would go over the Snail Hill access road "but at a height that would not have any impact on vehicle access."

Rothbiz reported last year on initial plans and the disposal of the property that Rotherham Council deemed to be of "low strategic value and limited potential for income."

The Bunka website

Images: SME / Just Architecture

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News: Developer helping Rotherham town centre to turn over a new leaf

A developer based in Rotherham that specialises in restoring listed buildings, creating residential and commercial spaces, has announced details of some exciting new projects for 2025, including a new spa and a golf-themed bar complete with a simulator setup.

The 2017 masterplan places a greater emphasis on town centre living and leisure, as opposed to traditional retail uses, in continuing the regeneration of Rotherham town centre.

Branch Developments Ltd has been a pioneer in "bringing Rotherham back to life" with completed projects including the restoration of the former Post Office on Main Street and the boutique hotel created in the historic George Wright Building.

The family-run firm is keeping people up to date with latest projects via social media - including at the former theatre in Rotherham town centre that could be about to take centre stage again as a community arts and dedicated live music venue.

Rothbiz reported last month on the restoration of the Empire Building.

Another project involves converting an unused underground building next to the George Wright.

Rothbiz has reported on the property that was sold by Rotherham Council for £88,000. The car park, bought by the authority in 2020, sits between the boutique hotel and the former Primark building on the High Street. Also included within the proposed disposal area was the building below the car park, which includes a plant room at ground floor level and a large open plan basement area.

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Now work is underway at Snail Hill to create The Bunka and The Bath House.

The Bunka is described as: "an amazing and unique underground area offering the latest technology golf simulators with private VIP areas" with a cocktail bar and stonebaked pizzas.

The operators said on social media: "We will be coming soon to Rotherham town centre with the latest in golf simulation, tournament events and an in house local PGA professional coach!

"There will also be a sports therapist upstairs and a wellness spa, this is the ultimate town centre venue coming soon!"

The Bath House is described as an urban spa and therapy room based around the transformative power of hot tubs and spas.

Branch Developments has also announced that it is working on bringing a Fish & Chip Shop and an Oyster Bar Fish Restaurant to Rotherham town centre.

Branch Developments website

Images: Branch Developments

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