News: Second set of Millmoor plans sees all stands and buildings demolished at Rotherham United's former home

Having secured planning approval to knock down large parts of the historic football stadium in Rotherham, the new owners of Millmoor have applied to do the same to the rest of the structures.

Rothbiz revealed in May that the Ron Hull Group planned to demolish parts of Millmoor due to it’s poor condition and the "long term lack of a viable user."

Planning approval was secured for the method of demolition at Millmoor for the incomplete main stand, Tivoli, Admin building, and Tivoli stand first, followed by the terrace, uncovered stand and part of the Millmoor Lane stand, lighting columns and then the other associated buildings.

Now a second application looks to secure approval for the method of demolition for the rest of the Millmoor Lane covered stand, the Railway End stand and a maintenance building in the corner of the ground. All floodlighting columns, and other football associated buildings would be flattened, as would related grassed areas.

Ron Hull Group, the new owners of CF Booth Ltd, took on the old football ground when it acquired the assets of the historic Rotherham firm that had entered administration.

The owners are working with local Rotherham firm, Eton Construction, on plans for the area - the 35-acre site that includes the ground and the large Booth operations at the Clarence Works at Armer Street in Masbrough.

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The latest plans state: "The maintenance building is a reinforce concrete frame stucture [sic] with solid brickwork infill panels, steel beams supporting the metal clad roof structure. From appearance it seems to have been constructed in the 1950- 60's. Due to the possible changing nature and use of the site this building may become surplus to requirements with regard to any proposed future use of the site.

"The covered Millmoor Lane football stand (Stand 'D') has stepped concrete ground slab with steel framed structures above with asbestos roof cladding , and is now showing signs of neglect and disrepair as a result of having not being maintained since the football clubs relocation. There is no protection from falls to the rear of the stand either.

"The Railway End (Stand ' E' ) was the away fans section where over 2,000 fans were accommodated. This end is covered and all seated. The only access being via the narrow alleyway to the rear from Millmoor Lane .This stand has a stepped concrete ground slab with steel framed structures above with asbestos roof and wall cladding , all are now showing signs of neglect and disrepair as a result of having not being maintained since the football club's relocation."

It remains to be seen what will happen to the pitch, famed for its quality in league football.

The plans add: "All the proposed buildings to be demolished will be taken down to the ground slabs. The ground slabs will be removed and the site tidied and left in a state where redevelopment will be possible. The client does intend to redevelop the site at a future date."

Despite its origins dating back to 1890, and the association with The Millers and their fans, Millmooor is not a listed building, or recognised on the South Yorkshire Local Heritage List. Owners generally have permitted development rights regarding the demolition of buildings they own but are often required to get prior approval from the local council.

Ron Hull Group website

Images: Ron Hull / Eton Construction

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News: Peck House demolition discussed

Peck House, a long vacant commercial property on a prominent route into Rotherham, could be flattened for redevelopment as the owners begin discussions with the Council over its future.

The building on Eastwood Trading Estate, and its unique stylings, was the headquarters of Joseph Peck departments stores, but has been empty for many years, its derelict state even led to local businesses petitioning the council.

Now discussions are underway as to whether the building could be demolished and replaced with 15 small business units.

The owners of the site, Backer Electric, occupy the adjacent building where they continue to manufacture heating elements, supplying products in high volume to the majority of household brand names. Options to reuse Peck House and the site have been investigated for a number of years.

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Leading Rotherham construction firm, Eton Construction, has been drafted in to work on the plans which show that Backer's premises would remain but Peck House would be demolished and replaced by 15 units, ranging in size from 1,350 sq ft to 3,100 sq ft, facing Doncaster Road / Fitzwilliam Road.

In 2012 a petition containing 60 signatures was received by Rotherham Council from businesses on Eastwood Trading Estate, relating to the poor condition of Peck House.

Due to its location on the frontage of the trading estate surrounding businesses felt that the poor condition of the building was having an adverse effect on the rest of the estate and particularly on letting vacant properties.

A structural survey was carried out which found the building to be structurally sound and secure and therefore the Council has not been in a position to insist on its demolition.

In 1985, plans came forward to change of use of the retail/wholesale store to a church. In 2004, outline plans were submitted for a development including a hotel, restaurant, hot food takeaway and petrol station for the wider area. In 2014, Peck House was one of a number of sites discounted as the location for a new £5m primary school.

Images: Google Maps

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News: Building excellence in Rotherham

Several new buildings across Rotherham, including houses and a school, have been acclaimed at this year's South Yorkshire and Humber Building Excellence Awards 2014.

Organised by building control departments of local authorities across South Yorkshire and the Humber, and now in its eighth year, the awards recognise projects from across the region on a range of criteria including compliance with building regulations, accessibility, inclusive environment and sustainability, as well as client and customer satisfaction.

Amberdale Developments, a Rotherham-based builder and developer, was a finalist for its nomination in the "Best Individual Dwelling" category for a bespoke stone-built detached house in Treeton.

W. Redmile and Sons, a family-owned business based in Sheffield, was the winner for the second year running - this time in the "Best Small Housing Development" category for Brooklands Croft in Wales (pictured). Situated in the heart of Wales, this is a development of 17 bespoke units ranging from townhouses to large detached dwellings.

Rotherham based C.S. Surveying and Architectural Design Limited were finalists in the "Best Domestic Restoration and Conversion" category for their sensitive remodelling and refurbishment of a former mill worker's cottage in Lindrick Dale, which dates from the 1700s.

Rotherham also had a successful housing development project with the Wentworth Grange development in Manvers. Ben Bailey Homes was the winner in the "Best Large Housing Development" category.

Manvers Way is a large residential development consisting of 252 quality, high specification two, three and four-bedroom homes and two-bedroom apartments. The construction of the houses began in 2007 and was finally completed in 2014.

The final Rotherham project featured in the "Best Education Project" category. It was for the extension and refurbishment works to Wath Church of England Primary School. The project was designed by James Cox of Rotherham Council's Design and Projects department and was built by local contractor George Hurst and Sons Ltd.

Another success for Rotherham was with local contractor Eton Construction. Although their project was not based in Rotherham the company achieved a winners award for its nomination in the "Best Individual Dwelling." The Rotherham company is responsible for a new house in Tickhill and was nominated by Doncaster Borough Council.

The Ben Bailey Homes project Wentworth Grange, Manvers was announced "Winner of Winners." This development beat all other nine category winners to win the most prestigious award of the night.

All the successful projects in the South Yorkshire and Humber Building Excellence Awards 2014 are now eligible for nomination to the national LABC - Local Authority Building Control Finals - to be held in London later in the year.

LABC Yorkshire website

Images: Redmile

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News: Eton to build new town centre office development

Rotherham-based Eton Construction has secured a contract to build a new landmark office building on the edge of the town centre for J Parkinson & Sons.

The Wellgate contractor is continuing to expand its portfolio and will construct a purpose built office and workshop for the undertakers, who at present occupy an adjacent older property on Wellgate.

J Parkinson & Sons was established in 1875 and today the fifth generation of Parkinson funeral directors operate the business. It has now outgrown its current site.

Adjacent to the former Wellington boot pub, which now operates as a music academy, construction recently began on the site for the three-story building which has been designed to fit in with the surrounding area as it lies within the town's conservation area.

When completed, it will provide 350 sq m of floorspace with an office and reception plus workshop and preparation space.

Cain Green, commercial director of Eton Construction (pictured, centre), said: "We are pleased to have been awarded the contract and pleased to have formed a partnership with J Parkinson & Sons, a long established company within the borough. The town centre will no doubt benefit from the investment in a new development."

Established 2010, Eton was trading as Harris Construction (Yorkshire) Ltd as a residential developer. Following a management reshuffle the firm rebranded as Eton Construction Ltd, to concentrate on commercial contracts. The first major contract was the refurbishment of Swinton Grange nursing home, Swinton.

Other contracts include internal fitout work to an industrial unit in Meadowbank and an office refurbishment and extension for a solicitor in the town.

Cain added: "Being a small company we are very competitive in similar sized projects and we provide a full professional service working closely with our clients at all times, with the main aim of producing a quality finished project."

Eton Construction website

Images: Eton Construction

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