News: Revenues up but Xeros suffers delays with appliance manufacturers

Xeros Technology Group plc, the Rotherham-based creator of technologies that reduce the impact of clothing on the planet, has reported good operational progress across its key divisions in its latest financial results, despite wider appliance industry headwinds extending commercial timelines.

The AIM-listed group is taking greater ownership for the creation of its own washing platform to counteract delays.

Based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, Xeros recently published its unaudited interim results for the six months ended June 30 2026.

The results show group revenue increased by 67.7% to £0.1m, driven by income recorded across all of the group's technology areas (a first for the business). Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before tax) loss remained static at £1.6m, while administrative expenses decreased slightly to £1.8m due to tight cost management.

Xeros reported net cash of £3.5m in the preiod (£2.8m at the end of August 2026) and remains debt-free following working capital movements in respect of 2025.

Operational highlights included the retail launch of its XF3 external microplastic filter, which is now on sale in Germany via MediaMarkt, with a UK retail launch through Russell Hobbs expected imminently. Further launches are anticipated across major Nordic and US retailers.

In denim finishing, Xeros' partner Yilmak - the world’s largest denim processing machine manufacturer - achieved its goal of initial machine placements in Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, with further orders placed for Sri Lanka and India.

In its Laundry Care division, the firm reported continued progress with a major global washing machine brand under a previously announced breakthrough agreement. Xeros has also initiated an additional go-to-market strategy to launch Xeros-designed washing machine platforms by 2028, which it estimates could represent a £25m revenue opportunity.

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However, the company noted that macro-economic pressures and lower-cost Asian competition facing major European and US appliance manufacturers are extending partner programme timelines beyond its control.

As a result, early revenues previously anticipated in the second half of 2026 are now expected to shift into the first half of 2027.

The announcement discusses a project named "WM2.0" which has begun negotiations ahead of the anticipated appointment of one or two manufacturers in China. The project sees Xeros take greater ownership and responsibility for the creation of a fully functioning washing platform to counteract delays felt whilst working with manufacturers that licence Xeros' technology.

Neil Austin CEO at Xeros, said: "The Group has made good operational progress. Our external microplastic pollution filter (XF3), is now on sale in Germany through MediaMarkt; our denim processing partner, Yilmak, which is the world's largest denim processing machine manufacturer, has facilitated strategic machine placements across key denim manufacturing hubs; the breakthrough agreement for our Xeros laundry care washing machine with one of the world's largest washing machine brands continues to progress well.

"Whilst we have a few months delay in activation, we also have firmer foundations for growth with additional placements in Denim Finishing and distributors for XF3 lined up.

"The Board and I remain excited by the interest levels in, and potential for, Xeros's Technology."

The focus for the management team is distribution.

Speaking in a Q&A for investors, Austin added: "We need product which is ready and is in market, and we need that product to be as distributed as widely with high quality partnerships as we possibly can. If we do that, we give this business the very best opportunity to be able to establish those foundations.

"I'm extremely pleased with the progress that the business has been able to make and equally the things that I can see which we can't talk about just yet, which we know are coming as well. So we never take these things for granted. We are very careful when it comes to the use of the cash that we've got.

"I can say to you that in terms of the work that the business has done, we are establishing those foundations which are critical to be able to get us to the position that, as I said, the management team, the board ... will agree with, not least as well as investors, want us to get to."

Xeros website

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News: Plans emerge for Morphy Richard's former Rotherham site

Early stage plans show how a large vacant industrial unit in the north of Rotherham could be brought back into use.

The Swinton Works on Talbot Road in Swinton, Rotherham was home to appliance manufacturer, Morphy Richards since 1966. When production moved overseas, the 293,659 sq ft building remained as a HQ and warehouse facility until operations moved to a modern unit nearby.

Now discussions have begun between a prospective new tenant and Rotherham Council about using the 7.45 hectare site as a vehicle dismantling and parts recovery operation.

Motorspot Ltd has made a Screening Opinion Request to determine whether the proposed development constitutes Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) development and therefore requires an environmental statement with a planning application.

The request explains that the proposal is for a: "change of use of the existing site to a vehicle dismantling, depollution, recycling and parts recovery facility (sui generis).

The site was formerly occupied by industrial and commercial uses and contains existing buildings, hardstanding and associated infrastructure. The proposals seek to utilise the existing site and buildings, together with the retention and regularisation of minor site improvements including hardstanding repairs, drainage improvements and alterations to an existing shutter door. No significant redevelopment works are proposed."

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Activity would include vehicle reception and inspection, vehicle storage, the depollution of end-of-life vehicles (removing all hazardous fluids, materials, and components before a vehicle is dismantled), vehicle dismantling, parts recovery and storage, scrap processing, the storage of processed materials and the distribution and export of recycled materials and recovered parts.

Operating hours are proposes as 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 3pm on Saturdays.

The request states that: "potential effects relating to noise, drainage, surface water runoff, contamination and ecology are capable of being effectively managed through operational controls, existing and improved site drainage infrastructure, pollution-control measures and any recommendations arising from the supporting technical assessments."

The applicant has already undertaken drainage improvements for the protection of the water environment and a Flood Risk Assessment is being commissioned. The site suffered flooding in 2000 and 2007.

The entire site extends to 29 acres and was previously up for sale for £16m.

Motorspot website

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News: Whitestone solar plans accepted by Government

Plans to build one of the largest solar farms in the country have moved a step forward - it would cover 1,169 hectares of agricultural land in Rotherham and Doncaster.

Rotherham Council and the three local MPs have all raised issues with the application.

Rothbiz reported last year on early stage plans being updated for Whitestone Solar Farm - a generating station with an estimated capacity of up to 750MW connecting to the National Grid Brinsworth Substation in Rotherham.

Initial consultation documents from solar developer Green Nation showed that vast areas of agricultural land in Rotherham and Doncaster, some safeguarded for the now-cancelled HS2 route, could make up the solar farm.

The northen site straddles the Rotherham and Doncaster border east of Hooton Roberts and north of Ravenfield.

Farmland adjacent to the M18 south of Bramley and Wickersley has also been identified to host thousands of solar panels, as has vast areas of fields either side of the M1 south of its junction with the M18. This includes sites near Ulley, Aston and Brampton, out towards North and South Anston, and the other way to land between Treeton and Whiston.

In the south of the borough, sites could be included in the solar farm development that are close to Kiveton Park, Harthill and Woodall.

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.

Having assessed application documents, the Government's Planning Inspectorate has now accepted an application for an order granting development consent.

A three month pre-examination stage will now begin looking at the issues which will need to be discussed at the examination stage which is where the applicant, anyone who is registered to have their say, official bodies and people whose land is directly affected can comment on the proposed development or answer any of the questions at each deadline.

Rotherham Council has already made a representation stating that: "it has been made aware of an apparent failure to serve the requisite notice on the occupiers of Springvale Farm, Springvale House, Morthen House, and New Sycamore Farm. In the absence of evidence demonstrating that such service has been lawfully affected, the Council’s position is that the statutory consultation requirements may not have been fully satisfied."

Local councillors, parish councils and local residents have raised insues over the quality and effectiveness of the consultation.

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John Healey, MP for Rawmarsh and Conisborough says that the consultation has been "fundamentally flawed" adding that each of the three sites are seperate.

The MP said: "Residents do not experience the same local impacts across these three areas, and no reasonable observer would describe them as one contiguous or coherent site.

"Instead of respecting the different communities and recognising each of the three schemes should be subject to a separate consultation, Whitestone has lumped the schemes together in a single consultation. No doubt this is for convenience and to cut costs, but aggregating the three schemes deprives communities of a proper consultation and fails to fully discharge Whitestone's obligation under the act."

Jake Richards, MP for Rother Valley, said: "Each of the three schemes exceeds the threshold for a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and therefore requires a robust, standalone consultation. Whitestone's decision to amalgamate them appears to prioritise administrative convenience and cost-saving over compliance with the Act [The Planning Act 2008] and over meaningful engagement with residents."

The MPs are asking the Government's chief planner to assess the the adequacy and validity of the Whitestone consultation.

Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, said: "Should this be found to be inadequate, I would urge you to ensure that proper, detailed consultation, which recognises the unique impacts across the three separate schemes, is undertaken prior to any planning application moving forward."

Applicants are hoping for a decision on the plans in Autumn 2027.

Whitestone website

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News: Esh Construction appointed to deliver £3.1m Rotherham flood alleviation scheme

Plans to strengthen flood defences at Whiston have taken a step forward with Rotherham Council appointing Esh Construction to complete the £3.1m Whiston Brook Flood Alleviation Scheme.

The project aims to reduce the flood risk along Whiston Brook, a tributary of the River Rother which flows through the centre of the village, and has been affected by recurring flooding in recent years.

Most recently, Whiston experienced significant floods in October 2023, with high water levels exacerbated by surface water runoff and pressure on existing drainage infrastructure. Flooding has previously impacted homes, businesses and the local road network, including Howarth Road and Long Lane.

Steven Garrigan, Divisional Director at Esh Construction, said: “Whiston has experienced the very real impacts of flooding in recent years, and this scheme will play a vital role in better protecting residents, businesses and local infrastructure.

“By combining flood storage, improved conveyance and naturalised watercourse enhancements, the project takes a holistic approach to managing flood risk while also delivering environmental benefits. We’re pleased to be working with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to deliver a solution that supports long-term resilience for the village.”

The project will introduce a series of targeted interventions at key locations to manage water flow more effectively, reduce peak flood levels and improve resilience across the surrounding area. Works will be delivered across three main sites.

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At Worrygoose Lane, Esh will install a new parallel culvert and upsize existing culvert sections to increase the maximum capacity the brook can hold alongside the construction of a new flood wall and embankment. Improvements will also be made to the culvert inlet headwall serving a tributary flowing from Sitwell Golf Course.

Upstream of the village, within agricultural land at Royds Moor Farm, an online Flood Storage Reservoir (FSR) will be created to temporarily store floodwater and release it in a controlled manner, which will target reduced volume and the speed of water reaching Whiston during heavy rainfall.

The project also includes realignment and meandering of Whiston Brook through the storage area, with existing culverts removed to allow the watercourse to run in the open. New wetland areas and backwaters will be created to support biodiversity, providing habitat for aquatic wildlife and plant species.

Further works will see the diversion of a Yorkshire Water surface water conduit to improve flow routing, along with upgrades to the B6410 Royds Moor Hill road crossing, where the existing structure will be upsized and new headwalls and parapets installed to increase flood capacity. Additional improvements will be carried out at nearby road crossings to help manage runoff and reduce surface water ponding.

Cllr Lynda Marshall, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Green Spaces at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, said: “We know flooding has been worrying for people living in Whiston, and we understand how it has affected people’s lives. This scheme is an important step in helping to reduce flooding in the future. It will help manage water during heavy rain and protect homes, businesses and local roads.

“We’re pleased to be working with Esh Construction on this project. We will keep residents updated during the works and will do our best to keep disruption to a minimum.”

It is anticipated that when the project completes, the Whiston Brook Flood Alleviation Scheme will significantly reduce flood risk through the village centre and limit the effects of high rainfall causing flooding in Whiston by storing the water in an upstream reservoir and slowly releasing it.

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News: S2S Group achieves record growth, surpassing £5m turnover milestone

The Rotherham-based S2S Group has reported a record year, achieving £5.6m turnover for the year ending December 2025, reflecting our continued year-on-year growth.

S2S Group at Manvers is one of the leading players in electronics manufacturing, asset recovery and electronics recycling, specialising in the disposal and management of IT assets at the end of their lifecycle, offering a certified and eco-friendly IT Asset Disposal (ITAD) service.

The performance marks another period of strong expansion for us, supported by a £500,000 investment from Bailie Group to accelerate growth.

The funding has enabled the group to strengthen its operational capability, including the addition of a new 18-tonne truck, enhancing its nationwide on-site data destruction service offering.

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S2S Group’s workforce has also grown, with seven new employees joining in 2025, bringing the total headcount to 42. The team comprises nine IT technicians whose specialist capabilities ensure data security and asset recovery through secure processing, testing, sanitisation and refurbishment.

Last year, S2S also expanded iys European presence through a joint venture with Irish data destruction specialist All-Star Shredding, strengthening cross-border capability and reinforcing the focus on compliance, security and service resilience.

Chris Hare, Chief Commercial Officer at S2S Group, said: “2025 has been a year of significant progress for S2S Group, with strong growth across our customer base, operational capability and service offering. Surpassing £5 million turnover is a major milestone and reflects the dedication of our team. This year, our focus is on scaling further, investing in our fleet, and enhancing our systems to support continued growth and efficiency.”

The group processed more than 50,000 IT assets for recycling in 2025 and securely destroyed over 380,000 data-bearing devices. A 51.4% reuse rate was achieved through the refurbishment and redeployment of more than 28,000 IT assets back to customers. In addition, 78% of internal waste was recycled, with zero waste sent directly to landfill.

S2S Group website

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News: Riverside Gardens takes shape in Rotherham town centre

A transformational project is taking shape to create new public space near to Forge Island in Rotherham town centre.

A Rotherham Council scheme that has secured external government funding, work got underway last year on Riverside Gardens alongside improvements on Corporation Street.

Planning permission was approved in 2023 for a scheme using a mixture of soft and hard landscaping to create a gateway on an area extending from the demolished Riverside Precinct, covering the old abattoir site behind Market Street and passing the Old Market, Keppel Wharf and Westgate Chambers residential developments.

C R Reynolds is leading on the work which has a total budget of £8,425,749 in the council's capital programme. G & F Formwork Ltd has been on site recently creating the complex retaining walls as part of the design.

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Cllr. John Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, said: "This is a big regeneration scheme that’s going to transform what was a previously underused area right beside the River Don, and we’re going to provide a new public garden and open space for visitors, shoppers, and residents to enjoy right here in the town centre.

"It’s a really exciting project. So what you’re going to see here is a brand new riverside walkway giving you new views overlooking the River Don and over to Forge Island. Throughout the site there’s going to be new planting, new seating, there’s going to be a children’s play area right at the top as well.

"The Riverside Gardens project is really important because regeneration isn’t just about big new buildings and infrastructure, it’s about improving and creating new public spaces for people to use and enjoy. So this new riverside walkway and public gardens is going to be here for visitors, for shoppers, for workers, for people who live and use the town centre to come and enjoy the new riverside views, to have better links to Forge Island and the rest of the town centre. And it’s just a really exciting example of the transformation that’s taking place across Rotherham town centre."

The 2017 town centre masterplan had the old abattoir site earmarked for a residential development in excess of 60 apartments. Housing plans here were also included in the 2020 hybrid planning application for Forge Island with developers including outline plans for later phases such as 50 riverside residential units on the abattoir site on the opposite side of the River Don to the cinema and hotel.

Images: Tom Austen

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News: Environmental permit application withdrawn for Rotherham site

The Environment Agency has confirmed that a permit regarding glass recycling at a site in Rotherham has been withdrawn.

Operators were previously served with a statutory abatement order following complaints from nearby residents.

Universal Glass Ltd has been operating from Rotherham Road in Dinnington. Rothbiz reported on a permit application for non-hazardous waste recycling which stated that the throughput of the site was proposed to be less than 75,000 tonnes a year, targeting "wastes consisting predominantly of glass, with smaller fractions of packaging materials."

The application is now listed as withdrawn and the local MP, Jake Richards has said that the firm has closed the site and the operation "will be moved to another location."

The MP said: "I would like to thank everyone who was involved in this campaign, your strength of feeling and demand for action has been heard and we have collectively ensured that this issue has been resolved for local residents.

"For the past 15 months, residents around the area have been contacting me to report a foul and toxic smell coming from the Glass recycling plant. Residents spoke about the impact on their day-to-day lives; not being able to open windows, avoiding going outside, and worrying about the effect on their health. Many described the smell as being particularly bad over weekends, and the strength of feeling was clear: people were frustrated and wanted action.

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"Residents were also worried that the company had applied for an Environmental Permit, which would enable them to continue operating and further enhance the risk to residents’ safety and quality of life."

The permit would have allowed for HGVs to deliver waste which would be crushed and screened outside with a second screening inside. Once treated, the materials would then be considered a specified, saleable product, and would no longer constitute a waste. Different products would be separately stockpiled and bagged before being loaded to HGVs for onward delivery.

Permitted work would have been carried out 8:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday and 8:00 to 16:00 on Saturdays.

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News: Firm applies for environmental permit at Rotherham site following complaints

The Environment Agency is due to decide whether to grant a permit regarding glass recycling at a site in Rotherham.

The process takes place after operators where served with a statutory abatement order following complaints from nearby residents.

Universal Glass Ltd operates from Rotherham Road in Dinnington. The permit application for non-hazardous waste recycling states that the site includes nine buildings, only two of which would be used for the storage and processing of waste. The others are used as an office, site maintenance and weighbridge etc.

Aplicants say that the throughput of the site is proposed to be less than 75,000 tonnes a year, targeting "wastes consisting predominantly of glass, with smaller fractions of packaging materials."

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Delivered by HGVs, waste would be crushed and screened outside with a second screening inside. Once treated, the materials will be considered a specified, saleable product, and would no longer constitute a waste. Different products would be separately stockpiled and bagged before being loaded to HGVs for onward delivery.

Permitted work would be carried out 8:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday and 8:00 to 16:00 on Saturdays.

Consultants for Universal Glass, MPG say that: "All activities will be conducted in accordance with Environment Agency Guidance.

"There are no emissions arising from the proposed activities. However, the storage, handling and treatment of waste hasthe potential to generate dust and noise emissions" adding that with high concrete block walls, no adverse impact is predicted. Installing hoods on feed hoppers, misting systems or water sprays could also minimise dust.

Responding to the consultation for the permit, Jake Richards, MP for the area, is raising the concerns of constituents. The Rother Valley MP said: "Over the past 14 months, residents living near the site have repeatedly contacted me as their local Member of Parliament to raise concerns about a persistent and often very strong odour affecting the surrounding area.

"It has also been reported to me that Environmental Health officers have attended the area and have experienced the odour themselves. In addition, residents have submitted more than 100 impact statements describing the severity of the issue and the effect it has had on their daily lives. The volume of reports clearly demonstrates the level of concern within the community.

"There remains a lack of confidence locally that the issues will be adequately addressed without further scrutiny."

Respondents also raise issues regarding dust and glass particles from the operations, with some reporting breathing difficulties.

Rotherham councillors have previously discussed motions of no confidence in the Environment Agency on issues such as flooding in Catcliffe and Treeton and Droppingwell Tip in Kimberworth.

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News: Rotherham Council hails "visible difference" made by Street Safe team

Over 1,620 hours of high-profile patrols in Rotherham town centre are part of Rotherham Council's investment aimed at reducing both actual, and perceived crime and Anti-social Behaviour (ASB), and increasing feelings of safety.

Recruited thanks to a £570,000 investment in last year’s budget - the Street Safe Team has been patrolling Rotherham’s town centres daily, providing reassurance to residents, tackling antisocial behaviour, and supporting partner organisations.

The team aims to improve feelings of safety and security in the town centres of Rotherham, Wath, Swinton, Dinnington and Maltby. The team provide a visible, uniformed Council presence, with a particular focus on hot spot areas.

The team has provided dedicated resources utilising their ability to deploy various powers to bolster enforcement and alongside existing uniformed presence, provide a welcoming and reassuring presence in the town centres. By being a highly visible presence, the team has acted as the "eyes and ears" of the Council and are identifying and reporting issues where they are unable to intervene directly.

With Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) in place, the council say that the Street Safe Team has increased its capacity for both preventative and responsive interventions such as building and coordinating local intelligence, dealing with street drinking, anti-social behaviour, as well as enforcement for issues such as littering and wider environmental issues (commercial waste etc). The team will be undertaking parking enforcement once training is complete.

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A report to the council's cabinet sets out that, since going live in November 2025, the team has delivered:

· 1,620 hours of high-profile patrols in Rotherham town centre · 112 hours of patrols across other town centres · 12 Community Protection Warnings · 9 Fixed Penalty Notices relating to PSPO breaches · 17 environmental waste cases raised · 17 intelligence reports, leading directly to arrests in four cases

The team has also provided vital support to vulnerable people, with six referrals for vulnerable adults and four emergency first-aid interventions, including one that uncovered a domestic violence incident.

The authority has also invested in created a Roadside Cleansing team, working with other teams to form a coordinated effort to improve the look, feel and safety of Rotherham’s public spaces.

Cllr. Lynda Marshall, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Green Spaces, said: “Residents have told us that clean streets and safe neighbourhoods are their top priorities, and these teams are delivering exactly that. You can already see and feel the difference their work is making across our communities.

Cllr. Saghir Alam, Cabinet Member for Finance and Community Safety, added: “This isn’t something the Council is doing alone – it’s all of us together looking after our neighbourhoods, reporting issues, supporting one another and taking pride in where we live.

“With continued investment and the dedication of these new teams, we’re building on this positive progress and creating the cleaner, safer Rotherham that residents expect and deserve.”

A refreshed communications and perception-management plan has been developed focusing on "rebalancing the narrative" around town centre safety, promoting positive developments and encouraging public reporting and the use of support services.

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News: South Yorkshire Mayor: "Whitestone is the wrong scheme"

Oliver Coppard, the mayor of South Yorkshire says that he is convinced that plans for a massive solar farm that could take up acres of green belt land in Rotherham "is the wrong scheme."

Rothbiz reported last year on early stage plans being updated for Whitestone Solar Farm - a generating station with an estimated capacity of up to 750MW connecting to the National Grid Brinsworth Substation in Rotherham.

Initial consultation documents from solar developer Green Nation showed that vast areas of agricultural land in Rotherham and Doncaster, some safeguarded for the now-cancelled HS2 route, could make up the solar farm.

The northen site straddles the Rotherham and Doncaster border east of Hooton Roberts and north of Ravenfield.

Farmland adjacent to the M18 south of Bramley and Wickersley has also been identified to host thousands of solar panels, as has vast areas of fields either side of the M1 south of its junction with the M18. This includes sites near Ulley, Aston and Brampton, out towards North and South Anston, and the other way to land between Treeton and Whiston.

In the south of the borough, sites could be included in the solar farm development that are close to Kiveton Park, Harthill and Woodall.

Following a second round of consultation, the plans have been updated again.

Proponents of the scheme say that the size of the scheme has been reduced significantly.

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An update reads: "We received more than 10,000 pieces of written feedback. We have now reviewed all of the feedback we received. Where the feedback applied to the masterplan, we have made a number of changes to address concerns.

"In response to feedback from two rounds of consultation and ongoing stakeholder engagement, the size of Whitestone has been reduced significantly. The final size is now 1,169 hectares (2,888 acres), which includes 691 hectares (1,707 acres) for solar and associated infrastructure and 637 hectares (1,181 acres) for environmental mitigation and enhancement. Compared to the initial masterplan, this is a reduction of 37% of the developable area and a reduction of 17% of the total size of the project."

Following a public meeting on the plans, Oliver Coppard said: "I went into the room with significant doubts about the scale of the development, and the huge cost it will impose on the local community. I left the meeting convinced that it is the wrong scheme, with huge flaws in the public consultation, the design and the delivery, and it should not be imposed here, in the heart of South Yorkshire.

"I’ll be taking away all the comments and questions that were raised tonight, and following up with all those who attended and are interested in what we might be able to do to mount an objection to the Whitestone Solar Farm.

"It’s not in my gift to stop the scheme, and I can’t promise that will be the eventual outcome, but I can promise to explore all of our options and to work with partners and our communities to raise our voices together, and to do what we can to make those voices heard."

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.

A DCO submission is expected in Spring 2026.

Whitestone Solar Farm website

Images: Whitestone Net Zero Limited

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News: Xeros successful in £5.95m fundraise

Xeros Technology Group plc, the Rotherham-based creator of technologies that reduce the impact of clothing on the planet, has raised close to £6m to fund operations.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, Xeros is a Leeds University spin-out that has created a number of technologies, such as the use of polymer beeds in washing and filters to collect microplastics.

The AIM-listed firm secured funding through a successful fundraise, retail offer and follow on, which included existing and linked shareholders.

Net proceeds will provide the group with at least 12 months' working capital and will be used to strengthen the company's balance sheet, enabling execution of current contracts, pursuit of global opportunities and to provide reassurance to contract counterparties.

Funding will also provide working capital as the company advances commercialisation of its core technologies.

For the six months ended 30 June 2025, Xeros posted a net loss narrowing by nearly 11% compared to the previous reporting period. The loss for the last half-year stood at £1.73m, down from a loss of £1.94m in the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA loss fell to £1.6m from £2.4m.

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The company recently signed a breakthrough agreement with one of the world's largest branded washing machine manufacturers that will result in the mass production of domestic washing machines using Xeros' Laundry Care technology (XDrum and XOrbs) under the manufacturer's brand.

Xeros anticipates that similar paid for agreements will follow, with three further global washing machine manufacturers currently in technical verification.

Announcing the placing, the board said that it was "confident about the prospects for the Group and now have in place commercial and development agreements across all three of the Company's technologies that are capable of delivering meaningful revenue.

"Commercial traction is expected across the Group's technology portfolio, with major laundry, machinery and electronics brands taking the technology to market."

Neil Austin, CEO of Xeros, said: "We have immediate commercial opportunities within domestic laundry for care and filtration, denim processing, and commercial laundry. Major global players across these areas are working with us to use our technology to help them improve performance, lessen environmental damage, and save energy, resources and money. This fundraise will ensure we continue the positive trajectory achieved in 2025, which is taking us ever closer to the global adoption of Xeros' technology."

Xeros website

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News: Shining a light on a sustainable future at ASD

A commitment to a sustainable future has led to ASD Lighting operating with an impressive 93% UK supply chain.

The Rotherham-based company has established an Environment and Sustainability Policy to grow the business without compromising quality, innovation or market position.

ASD recognises that its activities result in greenhouse gas emissions and waste generation, but is aiming to mitigate these impacts through training staff, investing in innovative and sustainable technology, and working with partners and stakeholders.

Sustainability is about much more than the environment, so ASD strives to have a positive impact on staff, customers, the communities it serves and the locations in which it operates.

The company aspires to be an industry and community leader in sustainability, with directors setting an example through decision making and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

The aim is to involve and empower staff at all levels through training, engagement, and opportunities for innovation, with employees encouraged to propose and participate in initiatives.

In line with Rotherham Council’s target for the borough, ASD Lighting aims to become Net Zero for greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

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The company has been making progress since 2013 when it installed 600 solar panels on the roof of its Mangham Road factory on Barbot Hall Industrial Estate. Each year they generate around 90,000kWh of electricity and through their use ASD avoids around 18 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Since then, ASD has brought its Powder Coating line in-house, saving approximately 95 per cent of waste powder, which is reclaimed and returned to the process. Carbon dioxide emissions have also been reduced by up to 86% from the process, and a heat exchanger transfers waste heat from the line and uses it to warm the Dispatch Warehouse, reducing the energy required for heating.

The company is a full member and supporter of Recolight, a charity working in the lighting sector to provide expert sustainability advice and has implemented waste disposal and recycling schemes to ensure that no waste goes to landfill.

ASD Lighting employs a dedicated Environment and Sustainability Officer, Greg Bristol, who works on factory, business and product sustainability. Product designers have been trained in circular manufacturing principles and the company has begun work on calculating the embodied carbon in its luminaires, and the circularity of its production processes. Materials with lower carbon footprints are being investigated, with products designed for durability and minimal environmental impact.

Greg said: "ASD, as a locally based UK manufacturing business, has all its operations in one place. This makes it easier to have influence as a sustainability professional. There is a desire within the company to be more environmentally friendly. It is an exciting place to be and to contribute to the sustainability journey.

“We rely on a majority UK supplier base for the components we currently outsource. This improves reliability and continuity of supply, as well as helping to further reduce our transportation emissions.

“We are a relatively small organisation and face many challenges, including the cost of materials and energy, a competitive marketplace, and the need to incorporate sustainability as a core part of doing business.

“I hope we can be an example to other small businesses who find the environmental challenge daunting, that it can be done and that it will benefit those businesses in the short and longer term.”

ASD is a member of Betterworld.Solutions - the group founded by Rotherham-based AESSEAL and whose members have a board level commitment to put environmental projects first.

ASD Lighting website
Betterworld.Solutions website

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News: The challenge of restoring pride in Rotherham with £20m

A £20m regeneration fund has been welcomed in central Rotherham but the leader of the council admits that it will be a challenge to spend it so that each resident feels the benefit.

Rothbiz reported earlier this month on the regeneration plan being developed for the government's Pride in Place Programme.

Previously called the Long-Term Plan for Towns and then renamed as Plan for Neighbourhoods, £20m is for the next ten years for the central Rotherham area where interventions in line for funding will need to come under the themes of: regeneration, high streets and heritage; health and wellbeing; education and opportunity; cohesion, safety and security; or work, productivity and skills.

The plan has been shaped through extensive consultation with residents and stakeholders and will be delivered in partnership with a newly formed Neighbourhood Board, which includes representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors, as well as South Yorkshire Police, local councillors and Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham.

The first period of delivery is expected to begin in April 2026, with further investment plans to follow in 2030 and 2033.

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Cllr. John Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, said: “This is welcome investment in communities that have gone without for too long. And while it will certainly not fix all the challenges faced by our residents it will help us create safer, healthier, and stronger communities where we hope people will feel proud to live and work.

“We’ve listened to residents and built a plan that reflects their priorities. Over the coming months, we will be able to set out plans in more detail to ensure we are getting the best value from this funding.”

The vision statement for the Pride in Place regeneration plan states that regeneration will bring back purpose to cherished buildings, create safe and welcoming public space and breathe new life into the town centre. It adds that: "The success of Rotherham’s plan will be felt by the Rotherham community who will feel empowered to participate, and recognise a growing sense of belonging and pride, as they come together more to celebrate where they live."

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council said: "We've managed to end up with a fund, that whilst it is welcome, is on its third name before we've managed to spend any of it - which I think is unprecedented. It is absolutely welcome funding, it was welcome funding under the last government and it is welcome funding under this government. The long term nature of it is particularly welcomed as a sustainable fund over the course of the decade.

"It is worth refelecting that it is largely capital funding, funding for "stuff" - goods, items and buildings, rather than people's wages and the provision of services. And inevitably, given the geography of the area, that means that something doesn't get built in every one of those places. It would be a very small thing that would be built in each of those places.

"We need to look at that geography as a whole in order to be making decisions alongside the neighbourhood board about where it should be spent. We are particularly keen to be working with those communities on their priorities around its spend to ensure that we are getting the most sustainable benefit for improving lives of people in the central Rotherham area. That does meen that it is a complicated scheme to administer. It isn't the same as getting a chunk of funding to build, for example, some provision at one of our country parks in the way that we are currently delivering.

"It really is good that it is sustainable over a period of time and not just a one off but it will be more of a challenge given the geography and the scale of the area covered to be able to produce an impact that each resident will feel directly in a way that we would want them too. It is a big, and quite difficult, piece of work to administer, this particular fund, for the benefit of residents in the central Rotherham area."

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News: Xeros sign breakthrough launch agreement with global washing machine brand

Xeros Technology Group plc, the Rotherham-based creator of technologies that reduce the impact of clothing on the planet, has signed an agreement with one of the world's largest branded washing machine manufacturers.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, Xeros is a Leeds University spin-out that has created a number of technologies, such as the use of polymer beeds in washing and filters to collect microplastics.

The latest deal will result in the mass production of domestic washing machines using Xeros' Laundry Care technology (XDrum and XOrbs) under the manufacturer's brand.

Xeros' "XOrbs" last for many hundreds of washes before needing to be replaced and recycled. The beads gently remove unwanted molecules and contaminants from materials allowing washing machines to work more efficiently while using just a fraction of the water traditionally needed.

The manufacturer, which cannot be named due to commercial sensitivity, is a global leader, and top ten brand, selling around seven million domestic washing machines per year, operating predominantly across North and Latin America.

The agreement will follow a paid-for, time-bound process with defined milestones and deliverables, and is anticipated to complete in around 12-18 months. Post completion, revenue will come from a royalty payment for each Product Certification Mark used, and from the sale of XOrbs.

Xeros anticipates that similar paid for agreements will follow, with three further global washing machine manufacturers currently in technical verification.

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Neil Austin CEO at Xeros, said: "The Agreement to develop a Laundry Care machine with a top ten global brand is a game changer for the Group and on a personal level the key moment I have been working towards since joining the business. We are absolutely thrilled to be working with them and believe this is the strongest evidence yet for the global adoption of Xeros' Care Technology."

The group recently reported a significant improvement in its financial performance, with the latest interim results showing a considerable narrowing of its losses.

The AIM-listed group posted a net loss for the six months ended 30 June 2025, narrowing by nearly 11% compared to the previous reporting period. The loss for the last half-year stood at £1.73m, down from a loss of £1.94m in the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA loss fell to £1.6m from £2.4m.

Xeros currently has another three global washing machine manufacturers in technical verification but the launch of IFB's 9kg Xeros-enabled washing machine has been delayed.

Highlights from the period include Yilmak securing its first denim manufacturing partnership for its Xeros denim processing machines with a prominent Pakistan-based manufacturer, Ambition Apparel, which produces over nine million pairs of jeans a year.

For XFiltra, which captures up to 99% of all microplastic particles shed from clothing during a domestic laundry cycle, Russell Hobbs plans to distribute Xeros' external filter into UK retailers whilst a Letter of Intent has been signed with Guangdong Welly Electrical Appliance Co. LTD ("Welly") a key supplier to the fast-moving Chinese appliance industry.

Xeros website

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News: Rotherham Council’s Net Zero plans for borough

Rotherham Council is working out how the borough can reach Net Zero by 2040 which could include commercial or community-owned renewable energy generation.

A new Local Area Energy Plan would also include assessing the feasibility of a low carbon district heat network in Rotherham town centre.

In 2019, the authority declared a Climate Emergency and agreed a plan of action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by the council and the wider borough. Targets were set around reducing the council’s greenhouse gas emissions to be net zero by 2030 and Rotherham-wide greenhouse gas emissions to be net zero by 2040.

Net zero greenhouse gas emissions means that the council will aim to reduce missions as much as possible. It will then consider balancing the amount of emissions produced with the amount it can remove from the air.

Tender documents explain that Rotherham Council wishes to understand the capacity of the market to deliver a Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) which covers the whole borough.

The plan would set out a pathway to "Net Zero by 2040" in line with local and regional decarbonisation goals, accounting for committed government policy and spending as appropriate.

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Evaluating projects, policies and partnership actions, the plan would also identify opportunities for commercial or community-owned renewable energy generation in the borough.

The documents also state that the council "wishes to understand the capacity of the market, costs and timescales associated with assessing the feasibility of a low carbon district heat network in Rotherham Town Centre, to include the identification of heat network opportunity areas, evaluation of low carbon heat sources (including but not limited to mine water heat, waste heat from industry and air, water or ground source heat pumps combined with renewable electricity generation) and technologies for implementation, delivery models, project costs, forecast return on investment and opportunities to attract external funding and investment."

Heat networks distribute heat or cooling from a central source or sources, and deliver it to a variety of different customers such as public buildings, shops, offices, hospitals, universities and homes. By supplying multiple buildings, they avoid the need for individual boilers or electric heaters in every building.

Rothbiz reported in 2023 that Rotherham Energy Limited had secured £25m to build a new Rotherham Energy Network. Proponents of the scheme, 1Energy, have given it a total investment cost of £61.84m. The low-to-zero carbon (LZC) heat network will distribute upgraded waste heat from the £150m biomass power station at Templeborough.

2.1 miles of pipes would distribute heat starting at Templeborough with a "West Network" that will go south west to the industrial areas and an "East Network" that will go north east to the south-western part of Rotherham town centre.

Passing the AESSEAL New York Stadium, the pipeline could serve Rotherham Council's Riverside House, properties on the High Street, University Centre Rotherham, Clifton Park, the Markets and Rotherham Leisure Complex.

Solar panels are also being installed at the new markets and library and Rotherham Leisure Complex.

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News: Ron Hull Group planning Rotherham expansion

Leading recycling firm, Ron Hull Group, has submitted a planning application that would enable the expansion of its Rotherham site.

Back in 2011. the company bought a vacant 4-acre former warehousing site just a few hundred yards from its Mangham Road base on the Barbot Hall Industrial Estate. £4m was invested at the site's main 80,000 sq ft building with the installation of new plant and machinery.

Now plans show a new 54,000 sq ft unit between Greasbrough Road and the existing operations closer to Parkgate.

Application documents explain the the group acquired the land when Rotherham Council indicated that it would likely be used as employment use as part of the wider Bassingthorpe development. A previous application, since withdrawn, was to use the site for storage.

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The latest plans explain that the aim is to move certain processes indoors and "the proposal promises better working conditions and improved control over material quality — for instance, reducing the moisture content on wood that currently devalues its quality when processed in the open.

"Full skips would be delivered into the building where their contents are emptied. The skip contents will be moved via conveyors and be subject to optical, laser and magnetic scans and selection.

"Eventually via operative checks it will be split into different material streams. Materials such as ferrous and non-ferrous metals, wood, plastics, and hardcore are then either processed on site or bundled for recycling elsewhere on site or other appropriate facilities. The aim is to extract whatever is of value from the waste and reduce to a minimum the residual that is sent for further recovery and recovered fuel (wood chip) production."

Applicants anticipate an increased throughput of the site is some 250 tonnes and due to the increase in capacity that the development will bring, there is likely to be an increase of approximately 80 HGV two-way trips over the course of the day. The council's transport officers "do not consider this to have a severe impact on the adjacent road network."

A noise assessment has also been included with the application.

If approved, the new development would increase employment by 30 members of staff.

The plans conclude: "The unit would not only provide 30 much needed jobs but also increase the percentage of recycled material recovered. This in turn would reduce raw material requirements and help increase sustainability. In short it would help meet the companies [sic] aim of 'Nil to Landfill'."

Ron Hull Group website

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News: Selective licensing set to be extended across Rotherham

A scheme designed to improve housing conditions, crackdown on anti-social behaviour and protect tenants and communities from poor property management is set to be considered by Rotherham Council.

Selective licencing began in Rotherham in 2015 for properties in Eastwood, Masbrough, Dinnington and Maltby. It was later expanded to Parkgate and Thurcroft. The aim is to tackle the low housing demand and significant and persistent levels of antisocial behaviour related to the private rented sector.

The five year designations require landlords in specific areas of Rotherham to apply for a licence before renting out properties, funding proactive inspections and helping ensure homes meet essential safety and management standards.

The Council’s Cabinet will be asked to consider the introduction of new Selective Licensing designations later this month and, if approved, the new scheme will be introduced next year and run until 2031, covering areas including Rotherham town centre, Eastwood, Clifton, Boston Castle, Masbrough, Kimberworth, Thurcroft, Dinnington, Brinsworth, and Parkgate - all identified as having poor property conditions or high levels of deprivation.

The previous designation in Maltby is not proposed to be renewed after significant improvements were seen in the area during the 2020-25 period.

The cabinet paper explains: "Both previous schemes have delivered significant improvements to the condition and management of private sector rented properties in the designated areas. However, the latest information available from the 2020 to 2025 scheme also demonstrates that landlord behaviours in the majority of cases have not changed sufficiently to achieve the desired goal.

"The lack of a behavioural change in both landlord and tenants in all areas, in some cases over 2 periods of Selective Licensing shows that many landlords are still not proactively managing their tenancies, only becoming involved when the Council highlights issues. Some use this continuing non-compliance to illustrate previous schemes have failed. However, it is likely that without the 2020-25 proactive Scheme, 1,470 households would still be living in hazardous or poor living conditions."

Despite the first scheme which ran from 2015 to 2020, the second 2020-25 scheme saw over 2,300 properties inspected, requiring landlords to address more than 8,000 hazards. 13% of properties (1 in 7) were found to have the most serious Category 1 hazards. 155 Emergency Prohibition Notices were issued in circumstances where properties were unsafe for habitation.

More than 2,000 cases of anti-social behaviour and nuisance were addressed, and £40m worth of illegal cannabis grows were seized. 15 successful prosecutions were undertaken, while a further 23 cases are ongoing.

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The boundaries of proposed designations have been reduced so as not to cover areas unnecessarily. The overall Standard Licence Fee, made up from a Part 1 and Part 2 charge will be marginally reduced to £975, while landlords with a track record of providing good quality properties will be entitled to significant discounts on fees.

The council will also offer training opportunities to assist landlords and is setting out area plans to help bring further improvements to affected areas.

For 2020 – 2025 the licence fee income to the council was £1,161,093 with the total scheme cost of £1,294,898 for administration and maintenance. The estimated cost of the maintenance element is £2,968,163 over the next five years.

Cllr Linda Beresford, Cabinet Member for Housing at Rotherham Council, said: “The simple truth is that in some parts of the borough, too many private tenants are living in unsafe and poorly maintained properties. Dangerous electrical connections, damaged walls and ceilings, even on one occasion a property with everything including the toilet in just one room - no one should have to live like that. Poor housing has knock on effects for people’s health and the state of the wider community. There are honourable exceptions, but too often landlords in these areas have been too slow to step up and meet their responsibilities.

“We’ve listened carefully to feedback from landlords and residents, particularly around concerns about cost - both to landlords and the potential impact on tenants.

“So our plans include significant discounts for proven responsible landlords. The worst case scenario for tenants living in these properties, even if the full cost is passed on to them, is an increase in rents of less than £1 per week. But the flip side of this is that the costs of the scheme will fall disproportionately on those who try to opt out of their legal responsibilities.

“We also heard from residents who felt we had not got the boundaries quite right, so we’ve looked closely and made changes as a result.

“In the end though we won’t resile from our obligations to tenants and communities who are left at the sharp end of poor housing. Ultimately this is about working together to create safer, healthier communities.”

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News: Bodycote's Rotherham plant sets blueprint for global rollout

Bodycote has announced a significant milestone in its ambitious sustainability agenda; bucking the recent "green-hushing" trend and highlighting both the feasibility of 2030 decarbonisation targets and customer demand for greener practices.

Bodycote, the world’s leading provider of precision heat treatment and specialist thermal processing services, has announced that two of its UK facilities – which specialise in heat treating turbine blades for Rolls-Royce jet engines – are now operating with zero carbon emissions.

In what is believed to be a sector first, the Rotherham and Derby plants are now fully electric with 100% of the electricity covered by renewable energy sources. No fossil fuels are consumed in the plants, and the zero operational emission milestone has been achieved without the use of carbon offsetting. Bodycote, a FTSE 250 business, operates in a global heat treatment industry worth an estimated $25-30bn. Though energy intensive, the industry’s work is critical to the safety, durability and performance of products that define modern life.

Rothbiz reported on Bodycote's expansion on to the Advanced Manufacturong Park (AMP) in Rotherham back in 2018.

Without Bodycote’s services, an aircraft engine would not survive a single flight, car gearboxes would struggle to survive a week of use, and surgical tools or joint replacements would fail to meet essential safety standards.

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Jim Fairbairn, CEO of Bodycote said, “Our customers, many with ambitious 2030 targets, are looking for suppliers who can support their decarbonisation efforts. Recently, a customer with a 90% carbon reduction goal came to us because of the impact offered by our lower-carbon thermal processing. These are real demands, and the clock is ticking.

“For Bodycote, leading in this space is not only the right thing for the planet, but also the right thing for our global business. As well as the progress made in Derby and Rotherham, we are running pilot decarbonisation projects across Europe and North America.”

Supporting the UK Government’s Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy, Bodycote’s transition to zero emissions is achieved through investment in industrial heat electrification, energy-efficiency and renewable energy sourcing. A new closed circuit adiabatic cooling system was recently introduced at the Derby plant which is located alongside the Rolls Royce site. Replacing evaporative cooling towers, this innovative installation provides electricity consumption savings (as well as peak electrical load and associated carbon emissions) of 73% as well as a reduction in water use of over 85%, whilst also avoiding the need for chemical dosing and cleaning.

Larissa Lee-Favier, SVP Sustainability, Rolls-Royce, said, “We congratulate Bodycote on achieving heat treatment operations with zero emissions. We encourage all our partners and suppliers to take action to make the operations and activities they can influence sustainable. Bodycote’s achievement sets a strong and commendable example for the industry.”

As the first and only major heat treatment company with a near-term carbon reduction target verified by the Science Based Targets initiative, the business is committed to measurable progress. Its Derby and Rotherham plants now serve as blueprint sites for a global decarbonisation programme, with the next zero-emission site set to be announced in the coming months.

The transformation contributes to regional low-carbon manufacturing networks and the national goal of reducing carbon emissions. The Climate Change Committee, which reports to Parliament on the UK's progress to adapt to climate change every two years, has recently identified the electrification of industrial heat as a top priority for the UK to meet its future carbon targets.

Across more than 100 sites globally, the Bodycote group is deploying a programme of energy efficiency, electrification and on-site renewable energy projects to minimise energy use and carbon emissions. Innovations include on-site nitrogen gas generators and application of novel hydrogen electrolysers. The group has also started to source green methanol for use in its processing and is exploring ways to tackle emissions relating to the supply of process gases used in furnaces, which are traditionally road transported.

Brought together, these measures will enable the offering of low or zero emission heat treatment solutions to more customers in the future. With sustainability high on the executive agenda, the group has already made significant inroads. These include a 27% reduction in energy intensity and 29% reduction in associated carbon emissions (compared to 2019 levels), targeting a 46% reduction in operational emissions by 2030.

The transition to zero operational emissions has been achieved without increasing customer costs, extending lead times or reducing capacity. The most significant outcome is the measurable reduction in carbon emissions associated with outsourced processes for Bodycote customers. Outputs run for specific customer scenarios have shown the potential to reduce emissions by up to 60% for a comparable treatment approach.

Jim Fairbairn continues: “This achievement puts Derby and Rotherham on the map as centres of excellence for decarbonisation. When an energy-intensive industry like heat treatment can show real climate action, it demonstrates that a green future is within reach.”

Bodycote website

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News: Second consultation for Whitestone solar plans

Developers behind the Whitestone Solar Farm are about to begin a second round of consultation after plans were updated.

Rothbiz reported in April on early stage plans being updated for a solar farm generating station with an estimated capacity of up to 750MW and connecting to the National Grid Brinsworth Substation in Rotherham.

Developers say that they have made "significant changes to the project design" to respond to the feedback received.

Updated documents explain that one fourth of the land (279 hectares / 689 acres) has been removed across the whole site that was included for solar development to create buffers around homes, villages and public rights of way near the project boundary. This has resulted in the removal or reduction of panels around the most sensitive community areas, particularly around residential dwellings.

Due to its size, Whitestone is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), which means that it needs 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, rather than made locally by Rotherham and Doncaster Councils.

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A 450-page scoping report has been examined by the planning inspectorate which provided environmental information outlining the scope and methodology of the technical studies being conducted. It precedes a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

The report confirms that the proposed development is being brought forward by Whitestone Net Zero Limited, owned by Net Zero One Limited but it is intended to be constructed, managed and operated by Green Nation.

A leaflet from the developers states: "The first round of consultation ran for 11 weeks, and included public events, meetings with parish councils and other stakeholders, and individual discussions with local residents. We received 940 pieces of written feedback, which we have reviewed and considered, to inform the updated design shown at this round of consultation.

"We are now holding our second consultation on the updated masterplan and draft Environmental Statement, which will help inform the proposals we submit in our DCO application next spring."

The northern site straddles the Rotherham and Doncaster border east of Hooton Roberts and north of Ravenfield.

Farmland adjacent to the M18 south of Bramley and Wickersley has also been identified to host thousands of solar panels, as has vast areas of fields either side of the M1 south of its junction with the M18. This includes sites near Ulley, Aston and Brampton, out towards North and South Anston, and the other way to land between Treeton and Whiston.

In the south of the borough, sites could be included in the solar farm development that are close to Kiveton Park, Harthill and Woodall.

The consultation will be carried out from September 16 to October 28 2025. A number of public information events have been scheduled for October.

Whitestone website

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News: £4.4m Rotherham riverside improvement works complete

A transformative £4.4m improvement scheme along the Rotherham riverside is now complete, opening up more land for housing developments in the town centre.

Delivered by Esh Construction on behalf of Rotherham Council, the project included the construction of a new access road and a riverside footpath linking Water Lane to the town centre, alongside extensive landscaping and infrastructure upgrades.

Works involved cut and fill operations, deep drainage, invasive weed removal, pavement construction, and the installation of gabion baskets to form a retaining wall feature. The project also included cosmetic repairs to the existing masonry river wall, carried out by rope access-trained personnel.

A key component of the scheme saw complex piling works used to futureproof the riverbank and support the Riverside walkway. Over 250 sheet piles – 127 pairs weighing up to six tonnes each and measuring between 14-18 metres in length – were installed over a five-week period.

These piles formed a new foundation to support the new riverside route behind the existing river wall, designed with a 100-year lifespan to ensure long-term stability and resilience while a capping beams and balustrade were also installed to complete the new riverside route.

Michael Sherrard, Construction Manager at Esh Construction, said: “This project has been a fantastic opportunity to showcase our expertise in complex civil engineering. We’re proud to have successfully completed this transformative scheme, which plays an important part in the wider regeneration of Rotherham town centre.

“The project is a great example of the collaborative partnership we’ve built with Rotherham Council, and we look forward to continuing that relationship through future projects that help shape the town’s future.”

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Cllr John Williams, Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, added: “We’re delighted to see this infrastructure project completed, opening up a new footpath along the river and wider site that pave the way for future development in Rotherham town centre.

“The scheme has also delivered a brand-new access road alongside significant landscaping and infrastructure improvements.

“As we continue to invest in the future of our town centre, and bring brownfield housing sites forward, works like these are an essential part of the redevelopment. It’s all part of the work we need to build a smarter environment, supporting a brighter future for this corner of town.”

As part of the £31.6m Town Deal programme, government funding is being used to continue the development of a Riverside Residential Quarter. The authority has continued to acquire land in the Sheffield Road area and are set to use a cluster approach "to create a sufficient quantum of development potential to tackle viability."

The project was procured through YORhub’s YORcivil2 framework. Through its Constructing Local strategy, which sees Esh maximise social and economic value for the local area, the social value team has delivered 66 apprentice weeks, 19 weeks of work experience, 392 hours of support into work through our Constructing Careers programme and 67% of operatives on the project were South Yorkshire residents.

Additionally, a community garden at Lighthouse Homes was redeveloped thanks to £8,200 of funding which was unlocked through the YOR4Good Fund community grant initiative. The garden’s makeover was part of plans to enhance the quality of life for the Lighthouse Homes residents, and saw Esh’s team, alongside agricultural students from RNN Group revamp the garden area and create a space for residents to grow fruit and vegetables for the facility.

The Rotherham Riverside scheme completion builds on Esh Construction’s delivery of public realm and active travel projects in the region, including Wellgate and Broom Road, Sheffield Road Cycleways, and Maltby Bus Corridor.

ESH Group website

Images: ESH

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