News: Building work starts for newest resident at the AMP in Rotherham

Building work has begun on a new research and development centre for a world-leading engineering firm at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

Last year Rothbiz reported on planning approval for a purpose built unit between Brunel Way and the Parkway for Vulcan Engineering Ltd.

Currently based in Sheffield, Vulcan Engineering Limited specialises in the production of mechanical seals and encapsulated ‘o’-rings. The company has a global presence and is an established world leader in the development and manufacture of high purity, composite encapsulated seals that fulfil a demand in the market where an engineering polymer is either not available or is extremely cost prohibitive.

Caddick Construction has commenced work to build ‘Project Vulcan Seals’ - a £9.4m contract to create a new 52,000 sq ft testing, manufacturing and distribution development, facilitating the relocation.

Representing Vulcan Seals’ investment to create jobs and drive innovation, Project Vulcan Seals will expand the firm’s development and manufacturing of high purity, composite encapsulated seals to serve global demand.

The new development will have a focus on inspiring the next generation of engineers and the promotion of green technology, and is set to become a centre for high quality research at Harworth’s Advanced Manufacturing Park.

The park is currently home to approximately 100 companies, including Rolls Royce, Boeing and McLaren Automotive alongside the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

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The new contract builds on Caddick’s portfolio of high profile advanced manufacturing developments. This also includes Schneider Electric’s £42m Net Zero facility in Scarborough, which was delivered in partnership with sister company, Caddick Developments.

Steve Ford, Regional Managing Director of Caddick Construction Yorkshire & North East, said: “Project Vulcan Seals represents a significant milestone for Rotherham and the wider Yorkshire region as it grows in prominence as the home of advancing innovation and technical excellence. We are very excited to be working on behalf of Vulcan Seals to ensure their relocation and expansion plans deliver a state-of-the-art facility that enables world leading engineering.”

Gerard Quinn, Vulcan Seals Founder and Chairman of the Board, added: “Vulcan Seals were founded in Sheffield nearly 40 years ago and have evolved into a global manufacturer and supplier of Mechanical Seals and Encapsulated O-rings, with distributors in over 100 countries. Our new global headquarters and manufacturing facilities represent the next phase of that journey, with the aim of strengthening our capabilities, expanding our capacity and reinforcing the quality, consistency and responsiveness our customers rely on worldwide.

“Constructed to adhere to the exacting benchmark of the BREEAM Excellent Standard, with the support of our investors, this strategic investment will fuel sustained growth, generate additional local employment opportunities, and deliver long-term benefits to the region.”

Vulcan Seals
Caddick Construction website

Images: Caddick / Jefferson Shead Architects

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News: Bellows Road redevelopment back on track

Legal issues that have stalled a £10m Rotherham redevelopment scheme look to have been resolved, meaning that work can begin to complete the long-awaited scheme at Bellows Road.

The regeneration of the former shopping centre in Rawmarsh has long been on the cards after years of structural defects and underutilisation. Rotherham Council decided to use its compulsory purchase powers in 2009 with a view to redeveloping the shopping centre.

Outline planning approval was granted in 2009 for a mixed-use development of retail and housing on the site but developers ROK went into administration shortly after.

Plans for the first phase of retail progressed in cooperation with new council partners, Caddick Developments, and work began on five new units covering approximately 8,500 sq ft in 2013. Tenants include Tesco, Heron Foods, The Post Office and Vantage Chemist.

Rotherham Council has since been working to demolish the current Bellows Road centre in preparation for a residential development. Outline plans included 58 residential units and could have used Ikea-designed BoKlok houses and flats to create affordable properties. The housing phase of the development had been allocated over £4m from the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder but this national fund was withdrawn by the coalition government.

Demolition stopped because phone companies EE and Hutchinson had failed to agree to their phone masts being relocated from the centre. Rotherham Council has made several attempts over the last year to get things moving – including threatening a compulsory purchase order, and local councillors and John Healey MP launched a campaign and petition to get the three masts removed from the site.

Now legal documents have been signed and work can begin on the new mast on nearby Barbers Avenue. After this, the masts on the shopping centre will be taken down and demolition and redevelopment is expected to restart in January 2016.

Cllr. Simon Evans, ward councillor for Rawmarsh, said: "I am pleased to see the phone companies have finally done the right thing and stopped dragging their feet.

"It angers me that these companies miles away were able to halt such an important regeneration project in Rawmarsh."

John Healey, MP for Wentworth and Dearne, added: "I've been involved with the Bellows Road project for several years, and helped residents and councillors overcome a number of obstacles in that time.

"I was concerned to hear about another delay so I'm glad the phone companies have bowed to pressure from us and the council, and that work will start again soon.

"We want this development to go ahead to bring new jobs and housing to Rawmarsh."

Caddick Developments website

Images: Caddick

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News: Deal signed for Bellows Road development

Caddick Developments has signed an agreement with Rotherham Council that will see the Bellows Road Shopping Centre in Rawmarsh redeveloped into five new units covering approximately 8,500 sq ft.

Tesco, Heron Foods, Staniforths Bakers and Vantage Chemist have already signed up for the long awaited scheme with work scheduled to start on site at the end of April with the demolition of the current Joblot premises. Building work is then due to be completed by the end of October allowing for the tenants' fit-out in time for a pre-Christmas 2013 opening.

Once business tenants have moved Rotherham Borough Council will then close and demolish the current Bellows Road centre in preparation for a residential development. The housing phase of the development had been allocated over £4m from the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder but this national fund was withdrawn by the coalition government.

Rotherham Borough Council decided to use its compulsory purchase powers in 2009 with a view to redeveloping the shopping centre. As well as acquiring interests in the centre it has also been assisting tenants to relocate elsewhere.

The authority has being working with Caddick Developments to formulate plans for the new retail parade and they have now reached the point when Caddick is in a position to lease part of the Bellows Road site to accommodate the new retail parade. The Wetherby-based developers are expected to fund the retail development.

Myles Hartley, director of Caddick Developments Ltd. said: "We have been delighted to work with Rotherham Borough Council to bring forward these proposals that will see the construction of the new parade that will bring a new exciting shopping experience to the people of Rawmarsh. The new parade will include both well-known national retailers such as Tesco and Heron Foods as well as local retailers such as Staniforths Bakers and Vantage Chemist."

Caddick Developments website

Images: Caddick

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