Showing posts with label Hargreaves Services. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hargreaves Services. Show all posts

Thursday, December 12, 2024

News: Rotherham colliery restoration plans updated

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A planning application has been submitted to make changes to a reclamation scheme of Maltby Colliery in Rotherham that would have seen the Green Belt returned into woodland and grassland by 2023.

Owned and operated by Hargreaves Services plc, the 500 acre colliery was mined for over 100 years until geological conditions could not be overcome and underground operations ceased in 2013.

It had been expected to continue coal production until 2025 but the winding tower was brought down in 2014 and the mine shafts have been filled and capped. With the sudden closure, the future restoration scheme, included in the planning permission for the mine's operation, was re-examined and plans were approved in 2017.

Rothbiz reported earlier this year on the intention of the site owner to update the plans.

The 2017 scheme, which has been delayed by COVID, involved cut and fill operations and the importation of 1.32 million tonnes of suitable fill material and 150,000 tonnes of soil making materials. The 2024 scheme includes the importation of approximately 1.63 million cubic metres of suitable fill, including soil making materials, and would extend the restoration until the end of September 2033.

The latest application also confirms proposals to develop a quarry on the north east part of the pit yard which would provide for the extraction of 3.9 million tonnes of magnesian limestone to supply local markets and those further afield.

After quarrying and backfilling, a development platform for beneficial employment use would be created.

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Reagrding traffic impacts, the plans explain: "It is assumed that approximately 300,000 tonnes per annum of fill, including soil making materials, will be imported by HGVs using the existing site access off the A631 Tickhill Road during the Proposed Development.

"Mineral export by HGVs will be approximately 200,000 tonnes per annum during Phases 3 to 7 inclusive [up to 2029] and it is envisaged that two thirds will be round trip movements importing fill on the return leg to the Site. This will generate an average of 128 HGV movements (64 in/64 out) per working day similar to the currently approved reclamation scheme. It is assumed that the remainder of the fill import and mineral export will be by train using the existing rail head on the pit yard until the end of September 2033, with up to 16 trains per week."

It is envisaged that fill material will typically include inert and/or non-hazardous wastes such as construction and demolition arisings. A permit from the Environment Agency will be required.

Applicants, Maltby Management Limited (MML), add that the new scheme "represents a safe, sustainable and appropriate proposal which is achievable in both a practical and economic sense and is not reliant on European, national or local government funding which is no longer considered available.

"MML anticipate that any ‘gate fee’ revenue received from the import of fill, including and soil making materials, to the Site will contribute towards the cost of implementing the reclamation of the Colliery Tip and MML will need to finance any residual balance to complete the Scheme where necessary."

In 2023 Hargreaves exchanged contracts on 28-acre site at Maltby for the sale of 185 residential plots that will generate gross proceeds of £4.9m.

Hargreaves website

Images: Google Maps

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Thursday, April 18, 2024

News: Owners consider changing colliery restoration scheme

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The reclamation of Maltby Colliery in Rotherham and a scheme that will see the Green Belt returned into woodland and grassland could be revised again.

Owned and operated by Hargreaves Services plc, the 500 acre colliery was mined for over 100 years until geological conditions could not be overcome and underground operations ceased in 2013.

It had been expected to continue coal production until 2025 but the winding tower was brought down in 2014 and the mine shafts have been filled and capped. With the sudden closure, the future restoration scheme, included in the planning permission for the mine's operation, was re-examined and plans were approved in 2017.

The scheme involved cut and fill operations and the importation of 1.32 million tonnes of suitable fill material and 150,000 tonnes of soil making materials.

Estimated to take six years, it was proposed to progressively restore the former colliery tip to beneficial after-uses, including amenity grassland, agriculture, public access and nature conservation enhancement areas, and temporary ancillary and associated activities.

Owners say that due to the impact of Covid-19 restrictions the ongoing reclamation scheme is approximately 12 months behind schedule.

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Now new plans are being drawn up, with the main change being to infill the existing lagoon void on the south east part of the tip and plans to quarry for materials before the creation of a platform for employment use on the Northeast part of the pit yard.

Equipment auction company Ritchie Bros. UK completed a purchase of the land and remaining buildings at the heart of the site in 2022. The Canadian firm has been hosting auctions at Maltby since 2019.

Consultation documents show that the new scheme will require the importation of approximately 2 million cubic metres of suitable fill, including soil making materials, to September 2033.

The documents add: "It is proposed to develop a quarry on the north east part of the Pit Yard, south of the Colliery Tip. The quarry proposals provide for the extraction of 3.9 million tonnes of magnesian limestone to supply local markets and those further afield." This area would then be backfilled to create a development platform for beneficial employment use.

"The proposed development will provide up to 35 jobs on-site, additional jobs for those importing fill and exporting mineral by rail and road and spend in the economy including for services from local suppliers."

With approximately 300,000 tonnes per annum of fill, and the export of minerals at 200,000 tonnes per annum, this could generate an average of 128 HGV movements (64 in/64 out) per working day. The existing rail head could also be brought back into use.

Consultants are working on an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with an environmental statement set to be submitted to Rotherham Council before a detailed planning application later in 2024.

Hargreaves website

Images: Google Maps

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Thursday, November 16, 2023

News: Maltby pit housing plans set for approval

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A planning application is being recommended for approval for 185 houses on the site of the former Maltby Colliery, where underground operations ceased in 2013.

Rothbiz reported last year on an outline application from Hargreaves Land showing a site to the west of the colliery coming forward for new housing.

The 29.5 acre site is currently a mix of green space, including informal allotments and a recreation ground, between Highfield Park, Tickhill Road and the colliery.

The land was allocated for residential use - 150 dwellings - in the Council's local plan. It is close to where Jones Homes are planning to build hundreds of new houses at Grange Lane.

During the application process the applicant has agreed to reduce the overall number of dwellings from 200 to 185. A minimum of 25% of the dwellings will be affordable.

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A new vehicular access is proposed directly off Tickhill Road at the southern end of the site. As part of the development, the current 40 mph speed limit on Tickhill Road will be extended to the east of the site access to improve the level of road safety in the vicinity.

Also part of the plans, approximately 100 no. allotment units will be accommodated on a 1.2 ha area of land at the northern end of the site, and the existing public open space, which measures approximately 3 ha (including woodland), to the west of the centre of the site will be retained and enhanced.

Local residents, councillors and the MP have raised issues with the plans, including the impact on local services and highways/traffic.

The planning board at Rotherham Council will meet to discuss the application next week and are being recommended by officers to approve the proposal.

If approved, it would come with a number of conditions around affordable housing, contributions to education and sports provision and a cycle link to nearby Glencairn Close.

Andrew Johnson, head of asset management at Hargreaves Land, said: "If approved our plans will provide an exciting new development, delivering much needed new housing for the local community and vastly improve what is currently a largely neglected area of land."

Hargreaves Land website

Images: Hargreaves Land / Edward Architecture

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Tuesday, December 6, 2022

News: Ritchie Bros. to make further investment in Rotherham facility following land deal

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Equipment auction company Ritchie Bros. UK is set to continue transforming its Rotherham site following its recently completed purchase of the land and remaining buildings.

The Canadian company's first permanent purpose-built plant and machinery auction facility in the UK was created on a 40-acre plot at the heart of the former Maltby Colliery.

The 500 acre colliery was mined for over 100 years until geological conditions could not be overcome.

Auctions began taking place at the site in 2019 as Ritchie Bros. outgrew its former base at Donington Park. Having secured planning permission, the site was developed step by step with local contractors. Surfaces were levelled, old structures demolished if not renovated, new offices were constructed, and equipment services added.

The £1.6m plant auction facility, which holds both live and online auctions, included a 15,000 sq ft auction building, auction lot yard for equipment display, check-in building, and office space. Around 30 full time jobs have been created.

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Work will continue following the purchase of the site, opening the door for further enhancements and onsite services for customers.

A key development project will see the major renovation of a large historical structure from the old colliery becoming a state-of-the-art equipment workshop.

Rupert Craven, Sales Director UK & Ireland at Ritchie Bros., said: "Since moving to Maltby in 2019, we’ve conducted 23 auctions, attracted over 30,000 registered bidders, and sold over 31,000 excavators, tractors, dumpers, trucks and other machinery to businesses from all over the world.

“During this time, we have made really good progress transforming the site into the Head Office for our UK business, and we have more exciting plans in the pipeline, like the new workshop.

“Once completed, our customers will be able to use painting and a range of refurbishing services in Maltby. This will further help our customers from all over the world buy and sell machinery, as a refurb can make all the difference when selling in our auction or Marketplace-E to help maximize the returns. Or before putting your purchased equipment to work.”

The world's largest industrial auctioneer dates back to 1958 and is now listed on the stock exchanges in New York and Toronto. For the third quarter of 2022 Ritchie Bros. posted adjusted EBITDA (earnings before tax) of $102.5m, up 12% on the same three months of the previous year.

Ritchie Bros. UK website

Images: Ritchie Bros.

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Wednesday, November 2, 2022

News: Maltby pit owner submits plans for houses

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A planning application has been submitted for 200 houses on the site of the former Maltby Colliery, where underground operations ceased in 2013.

The 500 acre colliery was mined for over 100 years until geological conditions could not be overcome. The employment site has been taken on by Ritchie Bros., the world's largest auctioneer of heavy equipment and trucks, for its UK location, with the rest of the site undergoing restoration.

Now an outline planning application from Hargreaves Land shows that a site to the west of the colliery is coming forward for new housing.

The 29.5 acre site is currently a mix of green space, including informal allotments and a recreation ground, between Highfield Park, Tickhill Road and the colliery.

The land was allocated for residential use - 150 dwellings - in the Council's local plan. It is close to where Jones Homes are planning to build hundreds of new houses at Grange Lane.

Plans, drawn up by Gerald Eve consultants and Edward Architecture, show that the new development would include a mix of terraced, semi-detached and detached houses of between two to four bedrooms. A minimum of 25% would be classed as affordable homes.

Access would be from a new junction off Tickhill Road (close to the Lumley Arms pub) and would encroach the Green Belt and result in the "loss of a small area of ancient woodland within the Local Wildlife Site."

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As part of the plans, applicants would set aside public open space including space for community sports and leisure. Woodland would be retained and improved and wildlife corridors would be created. At the north of the site 100 allotment sites would be created on three acres of land.

Respondents to the pre-application consultation have raised road safety concerns regarding Tickhill Road and many users of the current allotments are concerned about the impact on livestock.

The applicants state in the plans: "In terms of allotment provision, it is important to note the existing individual allotment plots are vastly oversized and of a poor quality, with some areas being used for the storage of various items, including waste; they cannot be classified as allotments in the usual sense of the word.

"As part of the proposed development it is proposed to provide approximately 100 allotment spaces (measuring 20m x 5m) to the north of the site. Doing so allows for the allotment provision to be rationalised in a suitable location for adequate future management. Whilst the overall area of the existing allotments will be reduced in spatial terms, it is considered that the proposal increases both the overall quantity and quality of allotments."

Andrew Johnson, head of asset management at Hargreaves Land, said: "If approved our plans will provide an exciting new development, delivering much needed new housing for the local community and vastly improve what is currently a largely neglected area of land.”

Hargreaves Land website

Images: Hargreaves Land / Edward Architecture

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Monday, May 20, 2019

News: Ritchie Bros. bids to make Maltby its long term home

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Ritchie Bros., the world's largest auctioneer of heavy equipment and trucks, wants to use a former colliery in Rotherham as its UK location for the next 27 years.

Rothbiz reported in March that temporary approval was granted to enable 4.7 hectares of the pit yard at the mothballed Maltby Colliery to be used as an auction site which could accommodate large plant, machinery and equipment when auction events would be held up to ten times per year.

Having hosted two successful auctions already, now plans have been submitted that would provide approval for the operation on more of the pit site and over a much longer term.

A covering letter from WYG, agents for the scheme, explains: "This planning application for the Auction Scheme is submitted with a view, subject to securing planning permission, to enabling [sic] Ritchie Bros. to use the proposed 11.1 hectare Site (which includes the temporary 12 month scheme site and adjoining land) for their auction activities for a 27 year period, securing the 30 full time jobs and 40 additional temporary jobs for each auction event (over two days) up to 10 times per year, along with a proportion of such jobs commencing the week before the auction and also during the following week."

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It is estimated that the scheme would involve the investment of £3.58m by the landlord, Hargreaves Land, and Ritchie Bros. to develop the site, including the modification of an existing building to form an auction house, construction of a new check-in building and use of the existing workshop, along with associated works elsewhere on site, with the demolition of some redundant former colliery buildings.

Annual investment by Ritchie Bros. would involve a further spend of around £0.75m, which over the 27 year life of the venture, would total around £20.25m.

Ritchie Bros. has been holding auctions since 1958, initially in Canada and then expanding to now operate on an international basis. The UK auction operations had previously been based on land at Donington Park.

If approved, the new facilities could be in place for Spring 2020.

Ritchie Bros. website
Hargreaves Land website

Images: Ritchie Bros. / Hargeaves land

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Monday, March 25, 2019

News: Plans approved for reuse of Rotherham colliery

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Plans have been approved to allow Ritchie Bros., the world's largest auctioneer of heavy equipment and trucks, to use a former colliery in Rotherham as its new UK location.

The proposal will create an estimated 30 full time jobs and 40 additional temporary jobs, and result in an estimated £3m of investment into Maltby Colliery.

Rothbiz reported on the plans in January that would enable part of the pit yard to be used as an auction site which could accommodate large plant, machinery and equipment when auction events would be held up to ten times per year. Around 575 attendees are expected at each auction event over two days.

Deemed a success, the first auction was held under permitted development rights in February. The approved plans are for a smaller area for temporary period of 12 months with plans set to follow for the full 26 acres for a longer period.

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Planners concluded that whilst the plans were not fully in accordance with the local plan policy for the former colliery, "the benefits that the proposal will bring in terms of job creation and inward investment to the area are to be afforded significant weight.

"Additionally, it is noted that the application site is only part of the former colliery site and would not prejudice any further future development on the remaining area.

"When taking into consideration the benefits the proposal would bring locally it is considered that the planning permission should be granted for the development."

Lee Weatherall, planning and development manager at Hargreaves Land, said: "We are delighted that planning consent has been secured to enable Ritchie Bros. to operate for a 12-month period at Maltby Colliery. This is the first step of a longer term plan which could extend to 26 acres for a 25-year period subject to planning."

The next Ritchie Bros. auction at Maltby is taking place on April 9.

The reclamation scheme for the rest of the colliery is expected to commence soon.

Ritchie Bros. website
Hargreaves Land website

Images: Ritchie Bros.

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Wednesday, January 23, 2019

News: Rotherham colliery to host massive auctions

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Remaining employment land at the former Maltby Colliery in Rotherham has been sized up by Ritchie Bros., the world's largest auctioneer of heavy equipment and trucks, for its new UK location.

The 500 acre colliery was mined for over 100 years until geological conditions could not be overcome and underground operations ceased in 2013.

Rothbiz reported last year that Hargreaves Land was promoting the reuse of around 80 acres for commercial/industrial uses around the former pit head.

Now plans have been submitted to enable part of the yard to be used as an auction site which could accommodate large plant, machinery and equipment when auction events would be held up to ten times per year. Around 575 attendees are expected at each auction event over two days.

The initial proposals are for a smaller area for temporary period of 12 months with plans set to follow for the full 26 acres for a 20 year period.

The first Rotherham auction has already been pencilled in for February 26 with a catalogue of loaders, dump trucks and excavators.

Ritchie Bros. have been holding auctions since 1958, initially in Canada and then expanding to now operate on an international basis with over 40 sites. UK auctions had been held at Donington Park but have now outgrown the site.

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In searching for new sites, Ritchie Bros. identified two preferred sites and of these the land on part of the pit yard at the former Maltby Colliery was the preferred location.

The plans added that "the former Maltby Colliery site's appeal to Ritchie Bros. included a heritage with an industry that they feel close to and a site with many inherent benefits by being expertly engineered and designed to accommodate large plant, machinery and equipment."

Secure, controlled access and excellent transport links were also in Maltby's favour.

The plans, drawn up by WYG, explain: "Ritchie Bros. employed 29 full time staff at their Donington Park site, which ceased activities in late 2018. It is anticipated that the temporary Auction Scheme would provide 30 full time jobs, which would include around ten employees relocating from the Donington Park site and the remaining 20 would be new employees.

"It is envisaged that 40 additional temporary jobs would be provided for each auction event (over two days) up to ten times per year, along with a proportion of such jobs commencing the week before the auction and also during the following week. In addition, there would be indirect jobs and spend in the local economy associated with the Auction Scheme estimated to be in the order of £0.75m per annum."

Transport assessments throughout the year are included with significant travel expected around the auction event days.

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Rupert Craven, sales director UK & Ireland at Ritchie Bros., said: "We're extremely proud and excited to announce that we're holding our next UK auction at a new location: in Maltby, Rotherham (South Yorkshire).

"More precisely, our auction site will be at the former Maltby Main Colliery mine – a place of incredible heritage and an inspirational community. As an active coal mine for more than a hundred years (between 1910 and 2013), it has seen its share of hard work, ingenuity and – yes – heavy machinery. We'll certainly strive to continue with these traditions.

"We've started to outgrow our Donington Park site. More and more equipment is brought to our yard every year. Our new location in Maltby will be ready for future growth and offer more advantage to all our customers."

The reclamation scheme for the rest of the colliery is expected to commence in Spring 2019.

Ritchie Bros. website

Images: Hargreaves / Ritchie Bros.

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Thursday, July 19, 2018

News: Former Maltby Colliery site on the market

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The remaining employment land at the former Maltby Colliery in Rotherham is being promoted by landowners, Hargreaves Services.

The 500 acre colliery was mined for over 100 years until geological conditions could not be overcome and underground operations ceased in 2013.

It had been expected to continue coal production until 2025 but the winding tower was brought down in 2014 and the mine shafts have been filled and capped. With the sudden closure, a restoration scheme was developed and future uses were examined through the borough's new Local Plan.

Hargreaves Services has recently established a new division, called Hargreaves Land, which aims to bring forward developments and unlock value from the group's 17,500-acre land bank, which is valued in excess of £50m.

The company's UK-wide land portfolio includes over 50 sites ranging from former coal mines undergoing remediation, through to prime consented sites ready for development.

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At Maltby, Hargreaves is working with consultants WYG on a masterplan which is due to be submitted in Autumn 2018. With the Local Plan being adopted, around 80 acres is being made available for commercial/industrial uses around the former pit head.

Through the local plan hearings, the company had suggested that land at Maltby could be suitable for lower density uses, "including potential use by an aggregates business, construction firm or other larger scale occupiers."

With rail infrastructure on site, representations for Hargreaves add that it "is likely to help to attract interest for waste (including reverse logistics and recycling facilities), energy, industrial or other "bad neighbour" type uses from a wider catchment."

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For the majority of the site, a reclamation scheme has been approved that will see the Green Belt returned into woodland and grassland.

The new brochure for the site, drawn up with agents at Knight Frank, shows nine available plots and states: "The plots would be suitable for a variety of associated uses and ancillary opportunities such as waste processing, aggregates, composting and green energy projects."

Rothbiz understands that an international firm which hosts auctions for large scale plant and machinery has previously shown an interest in the site.

Hargreaves land added: "We are actively seeking to work with prospective occupiers to facilitate the re-use of the land and premises for employment purposes.

"Adjacent land, which is also within Hargreaves Land control, has been successfully promoted as a potential housing site."

Hargreaves Land website

Images: Hargreaves Land

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Thursday, May 24, 2018

News: Heathrow delegation lands in SCR

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A delegation from Heathrow Airport is visiting the Sheffield City Region (SCR) as part of a nationwide tour of potential construction centres to support the airport's expansion.

Rothbiz reported in 2017 that two former colliery sites in Rotherham have made it onto a longlist of 65 "Logistic Hub" locations – off-site centres for construction and manufacturing which will help Heathrow Airport deliver its expansion plan.

Eight sites in the SCR have made the longlist of 65 including 31 East, the remaining land on the reclaimed Dinnington colliery, and the site of the former Maltby Colliery that was mothballed in 2013.

During each visit, the prospective Logistics Hub will have the opportunity to demonstrate the strengths of their proposal. The delegation will visit all longlisted locations in the first half of 2018, assessing their suitability before putting successful bids through to the next round.

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Dan Jarvis, mayor of the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority, said: "It's great news that we as a city region have more shortlisted sites than any other region in the UK. This is testament to our super-connected location and our excellence in advanced engineering, manufacturing and logistics.

"During these visits, we will be demonstrating all the reasons why we think our sites would be an ideal location for one of Heathrow's Logistics Hubs. Not only do we already have the infrastructure in place, but our city region is home to a skilled workforce with a strong heritage of manufacturing and industry. Key to this is the AMRC training centre, widely regarded as a centre of excellence in producing apprentices ready to enter careers in engineering and manufacturing.

"This is a great opportunity for us as a city region to be part of one the UK's most significant infrastructure projects. We welcome the potential boost in jobs and economic growth that a Logistics Hub could bring and look forward to showcasing our sites to the delegation."

The London airport, the largest in the UK and one of the biggest in the world, received Government support for expansion so that the need for additional capacity in the south-east of England will be met by a new north-west runway at Heathrow.

As part of the expansion, which has an estimated cost of £17.6bn, four logistic hubs will be located across the country as the airport pledges to shake-up the UK construction industry by using expansion to revolutionise the way Britain builds major infrastructure.

Aiming to build as much of the project off-site as possible, the hubs will work by pre-assembling components off-site before transporting them in consolidated loads to Heathrow just as they are needed.

During the visit, the Heathrow delegation will also visit the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, and meet with representatives from the SCR and the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The SCR submitted bids because we believe we are a site of national logistics and engineering excellence and have the knowledge, infrastructure and quality to deliver.

Site options put forward include locations with rail connectivity to London and other regional logistics hubs, while there are also six world-class universities and research capabilities within a one-hour drive. These include the AMRC, which is the leading engineering research and training facility in the UK.

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Rachel Clark, director of trade and investment at SCR, said: "Working in partnership with the public and private sector, SCR is already achieving transformational change and building a thriving, successful, economy.

"Our vision is focused on rebalancing the North- South divide and spreading the benefit of major UK infrastructure projects to regenerate our region. I know the quality exists here to make a success of significant investments such as this, and am hopeful that we will be selected as one of the final four locations.

"We are looking forward to working closely with Heathrow on this exciting project which could give a massive boost to our local economy on the back of our recent inward investment successes."

SCR website

Images: Hargreaves

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Tuesday, January 17, 2017

News: Go-ahead for Maltby tip restoration

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Planning permission has been secured for the revised reclamation of Maltby Colliery in Rotherham and a scheme that will see the Green Belt returned into woodland and grassland.

Owned and operated by Hargreaves Services plc, the 500 acre colliery was mined for over 100 years until geological conditions could not be overcome and underground operations ceased in 2013.

It had been expected to continue coal production until 2025 but the winding tower was brought down in 2014 and the mine shafts have been filled and capped. With the sudden closure, the future restoration scheme, included in the planning permission for the mine's operation, was re-examined.

Heading to planning board last year, the decision notice was published earlier this month for a revised scheme that will involve cut and fill operations and the importation of 1.32 million tonnes of suitable fill material and 150,000 tonnes of soil making materials.

Estimated to take six years, it is proposed to progressively restore the former colliery tip to beneficial after-uses, including amenity grassland, agriculture, public access and nature conservation enhancement areas, and temporary ancillary and associated activities.

Lagoons are set to be filled and the peak height of the tip would be approximately 140m above sea level, compared to a maximum of 160m in previous plans from 2010.

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2014 plans were refused by the members of the planning board who felt that the importation of material represented inappropriate development in the Green Belt, as it did not relate to the material produced from the Maltby Colliery, and that the HGV vehicle movements resulting from the development would be detrimental.

In this case the planners agreed that the restoration will bring many positive benefits and that "very special circumstances" exist to warrant the grant of planning permission for this development in the Green Belt in this instance.

The plans envisage a worst case of five to six HGV arrivals per hour (or ten to 12 HGV movements) whilst material is being imported. The planners state that this is "very similar to the traffic movements generated by the colliery when it was operational."

Conditions on the planning permission mean that the importation of materials shall only be delivered between the hours of 0700-1900 Mondays to Fridays and 0700-1300 on Saturdays with no operations on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Measures to improve visibility in both directions out of the site access to the A631 (Tickhill Road) will also need to be approved and carried out.

Rothbiz has previously reported on Hargreaves plc identifying the industrial area of the Maltby site for development.

Through the local plan hearings, the company has suggested that land at Maltby could be suitable for lower density uses, "including potential use by an aggregates business, construction firm or other larger scale occupiers."

With rail infrastructure on site, representations for Hargreaves add that it "is likely to help to attract interest for waste (including reverse logistics and recycling facilities), energy, industrial or other "bad neighbour" type uses from a wider catchment."

Hargreaves Services website

Images: Hargreaves


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Wednesday, August 24, 2016

News: Maltby restoration plans recommended for approval

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New plans that involve the importation of 1.32 million tonnes of material for the restoration of Maltby Colliery in Rotherham are being recommended for approval.

The 500 acre colliery was mined for over 100 years until geological conditions could not be overcome and underground operations ceased in 2013.

It had been expected to continue coal production until 2025 but the winding tower was brought down in 2014 and the mine shafts have been filled and capped. With the sudden closure, the future restoration scheme, included in the planning permission for the mine's operation, is being re-examined.

On behalf of Hargreaves Maltby Limited, consultants at Signet Planning submitted new detailed planning documents to Rotherham Council outlining the scheme.

The plans, which involve cut and fill operations, the import of 1.32 million tonnes of suitable fill material and 150,000 tonnes of soil making materials, are going before the council's planning board this week and planners are being recommended to approve the plans, subject to a number of conditions.

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A previous application involving the importation of 450,000 tonnes of mine runoff fines, known as MRF, to be transported each year from nearby Hatfield Colliery and deposited in the current lagoon at Maltby were refused by the planing board in 2014, despite the council's planning officers recommending that the plans be approved.

Regarding the latest restoration, which is estimated to take six years and six months, planners have assessed impacts such as noise, traffic and landscape and made comparisons to the previous scheme approved in 2010.

The site sits within the borough's Green Belt and the restoration is set to include 19.8 hectares of new native broadleaved woodland and scrub; 23.1 hectares of neutral grassland with wildflowers; 47.2 hectares of amenity grassland and/or biomass; and 3.6 kilometres of new public access routes linking with the wider rights of way network.
2014 plans were refused by the members of the planning board who felt that the importation of material represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt, as it does not relate to the material produced from the Maltby Colliery, and that the HGV vehicle movements resulting from the development are detrimental.

In this case the planners agree that the restoration will bring many positive benefits and that "very special circumstances" exist to warrant the grant of planning permission for this development in the Green Belt in this instance.

The plans envisage a worst case of five to six HGV arrivals per hour (or ten to 12 HGV movements) whilst material is being imported. The planners state that this is "very similar to the traffic movements generated by the colliery when it was operational." A contribution of £6,000 for additional road improvements is being made a condition of planning permission.

The report to the planning board concludes: "While there are some negative impact of the proposal, mainly the importation of material by HGVs, the positive impact of the environmentally acceptable restoration scheme to secure the reclamation of the site clearly outweigh the impacts."

Images: Hargreaves Services


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Thursday, August 11, 2016

News: Hargreaves eyeing development at Maltby

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Hargreaves Services, the owner of the mothballed colliery at Maltby in Rotherham, is contemplating how to create value by redeveloping part of the site.

Rothbiz has previously reported on new plans being developed for the restoration of the pit site. The 500 acre colliery was mined for over 100 years until geological conditions could not be overcome and underground operations ceased in 2013.

It had been expected to continue coal production until 2025 but the winding tower was brought down in 2014 and the mine shafts have been filled and capped. With the sudden closure, the future restoration scheme, included in the planning permission for the mine's operation, is being re-examined.

In its latest financial results, Hargreaves outlines how it is now looking at its land portfolio and assessing what development can be brought forward.

The group states: "As a legacy of our coal operations we have a diversified 18,500 acre portfolio of property, which includes a range of agricultural and development land including a number of sites with grid connections. We have built a team to focus on the development of value in that portfolio with a view to optimising the conversion of these assets into cash over the next five to seven years and have set ourselves the target of creating between £35m and £50m of value over and above the £24.9m book value of these assets. The initial focus will be on developing value and realising cash from the assets we currently own.

"We have been working on this portfolio over the last two years and we are confident that there is very significant value that will be delivered. We will continue to challenge the allocation of capital but we are confident that the returns from development more than justify the cost of holding these sites and taking them through at least the early stages of the development cycle."

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The report includes a list of some of the key development sites that "present the greatest immediate opportunity for value creation through development." The list includes 84 acres at Maltby which has been identified for a potential mixed residential and industrial development.

The Reclamation Scheme is propopsed to be carried out over a six year and six month period, with cut and fill operations, the import of 1.32 million tonnes of suitable fill material and 150,000 tonnes of soil making materials and restoration of the former colliery tip to beneficial after-uses, including amenity grassland, agriculture, public access and nature conservation enhancement.

The site sits within the borough's Green Belt and the majority of the Maltby site is being put forward through the Local Plan as remaining in the green belt with a pocket of development, which includes the pit yard, associated buildings and access, not considered suitable for a business park with offices or industrial units but instead used for "for waste and energy activities."

The former colliery pit yard is set to be retained for another five years following restoration. The immediate future of the site is as Maltby Energy Park, with operator Alkane Energy generating energy from the coal mine methane assets for an estimated period of up to 15 years.

Hargreaves reported that revenues for the year to May 31 2016, fell 48.6% to £340.7m, with an 89.3% drop in underlying profits to £4.6m.

Hargreaves Services website

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Tuesday, May 24, 2016

News: A million tonnes for Maltby Colliery's six year restoration

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The restoration of Maltby Colliery in Rotherham is expected to take over six years and could include the importation of 1.32 million tonnes of material.

Rothbiz reported in February that new plans were being developed for the restoration of the mothballed Maltby pit site. The 200 hectare colliery was mined for over 100 years until geological conditions could not be overcome and underground operations ceased in 2013.

It had been expected to continue coal production until 2025 but owners and operators, Hargreaves decided to mothball the mine following no viable alternative solution being found to geological reports that indicated that the risks associated with mining a new panel, called T125, had not significantly reduced and that the panel was not viable on health and safety, geological, and financial grounds.

The winding tower was brought down in 2014 and the mine shafts have been filled and capped. With the sudden closure, the future restoration scheme, included in the planning permission for the mine's operation, is being re-examined.

On behalf of Hargreaves Maltby Limited, consultants at Signet Planning have now submitted new detailed planning documents to Rotherham Council outlining the scheme.

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The plans state: "The Reclamation Scheme will be carried out over a six year and six month period, with cut and fill operations, the import of 1.32 million tonnes of suitable fill material and 150,000 tonnes of soil making materials and restoration of the former colliery tip to beneficial after-uses, including amenity grassland, agriculture, public access and nature conservation enhancement, and temporary ancillary and associated activities and the export of the residual stocks of mineral involving up to 65,000 tonnes of coal fines and 20,000 tonnes of deep mined coal to market."

Planning permission was refused last year for the importation of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of MRF - a fine slurry-like material which is formed during the washing and reclamation of coal fines (tiny coal particles).

The lagoons need to be filled and tip areas need to be lowered. The site is set to be treated with grass seeding, tree planting, ditching, fencing and the creation of paths, "which will result in an appropriate and productive landform with a range of habitat types and uses including amenity grassland, agriculture, public access and nature conservation."

It is set to include 19.8 hectares of new native broadleaved woodland and scrub; 23.1 hectares of neutral grassland with wildflowers; 47.2 hectares of amenity grassland and/or biomass; and 3.6 kilometres of new public access routes linking with the wider rights of way network.

The site sits within the borough's Green Belt and the majority of the Maltby site is being put forward through the Local Plan as remaining in the green belt with a pocket of development, which includes the pit yard, associated buildings and access, not considered suitable for a business park with offices or industrial units but instead used for "for waste and energy activities."
Work is set to start in the south west, nearest to Maltby, then proceeding to the north and then north east. The planning permission would allow for up to 300,000 tonnes per annum to be imported from a variety of sources over a five year and seven month period. The maximum quantity of fill required to achieve the proposed landform through recovery is estimated to be a total 1,320,000 tonnes - a worst case scenario for the relative density of the imported fill material.

Mostly brought to site by road, the possibility of using the rail sidings to import material is discussed. The plans add: "The number of vehicles which could be added to the local highway network would remain small, involving an assumed worst case of five to six HGV arrivals per hour (or ten to 12 HGV movements)."

Consultees have reacted largely positively to the initial plans but council officers are waiting on a more detailed Transport Assessment before commenting on the potential impact on the road network.

It is anticipated that the fill material to be imported will "typically be inert and non-hazardous wastes such as construction and demolition arisings."

Around 20 jobs would be created as the six phase restoration is scheduled to start in September 2016 after the remaining coal is exported. This figure would reduce to 14 jobs after the first six months.

The plans admit that local residents will experience some disturbance from the reclamation scheme but add that it will provide longer term benefits to the quality of life for residents and visitors. They conclude: "The reclamation scheme which has been prepared represents a safe, sustainable and appropriate proposal. The restoration proposals incorporate ecological, landscape and recreational enhancement measures which will contribute to the quality of life in the locality of the former colliery."
The former colliery pit yard is set to be retained for another five years following restoration. The immediate future of the site is as Maltby Energy Park, with operator Alkane Energy generating energy from the coal mine methane assets for an estimated period of up to 15 years.

The restoration scheme is to be funded by Hargreaves. Previous external funding schemes used to regenerate colliery sites at Dinnington and Manvers have disappeared. Hargreaves intends to use the proceeds from the exported coal, and "gate fee" revenue from imported material to help fund the restoration.

The Durham firm recently announced that it was scaling back its coal business as part of a restructure plan aimed at growing revenue from transport, property and renewable energy.

Hargreaves website

Images: Hargreaves / Signet Planning

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Wednesday, February 10, 2016

News: New Maltby restoration scheme in development

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New plans are coming forward for the restoration of the mothballed Maltby pit site in Rotherham.

The 200 hectare colliery at Maltby was mined for over 100 years until geological conditions could not be overcome and underground operations ceased in 2013.

Owners and operators, Hargreaves decided to mothball the mine following no viable alternative solution being found to geological reports that indicated that the risks associated with mining a new panel, called T125, had not significantly reduced and that the panel is not viable on health and safety, geological, and financial grounds.

The winding tower was brought down in 2014 and the mine shafts have been filled and capped. With the sudden closure, the future restoration scheme, included in the planning permission for the mine's operation, is being re-examined.

Planning permission was refused last year for the importation of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of MRF - a fine slurry-like material which is formed during the washing and reclamation of coal fines (tiny coal particles).

Rotherham Council was forced to formally request a revised scheme of restoration and aftercare from Hargreaves in relation to the conditions of a previous planning permission.

The site sits within the borough's Green Belt and the majority of the Maltby site is being put forward through the Local Plan as remaining in the green belt with a pocket of development, which includes the pit yard, associated buildings and access, not considered suitable for a business park with offices or industrial units but instead used for "for waste and energy activities."

A scoping report recently submitted on behalf of Hargreaves to Rotherham Council outlines a reclamation scheme that will result in the progressive restoration of 138.8 hectares of the colliery tip which will take six and a half years to complete. Once restored, the site will be subject to five years of aftercare.

The site has a number of lagoons and spoil tips and the scheme includes both cutting and filling operations to lower certain areas of the colliery tip. The plans add that: "as part of these proposed earthmoving operations it will be necessary to import a range of suitable fill materials to facilitate the efficient reclamation of the excavations, voids and low areas of the colliery tip as a land recovery operation."

It is envisaged that 300,000 tonnes will be imported per annum for six and a half years. Mostly brought to site by road, the possibility of using the rail sidings is discussed.

The plans state that 220,000 of fill material will be imported and it is anticipated that types of available fill material will "typically be inert and non-hazardous wastes such as construction and demolition arisings." Around 150,000 tonnes of material suitable to create soil on the site may also be required.

Once the cutting and filling and topsoil has been carried out, the surface of the colliery tip will be cultivated and seeded as appropriate - grass seeding, shrub and tree planting, ditching and fencing. This is set to create a range of habitat types and uses including amenity grassland, agriculture, public access and nature conservation.

The immediate future of the site is as Maltby Energy Park, with operator Alkane Energy generating energy from the coal mine methane assets for an estimated period of up to 15 years. Coal fines will continue to be mined up to July 2016.

The colliery infrastructure is set to be retained for five years whilst the restoration takes place. This will enable other potential development proposals to be pursued separately.

Further detailed reports on environmental impact, transport and noise are set to be carried out as part of the full planning application for the restoration scheme.

Hargreaves Services website

Images: Hargreaves Services

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Wednesday, March 11, 2015

News: New plans for Maltby's restoration

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New plans are being prepared for the restoration of the mothballed Maltby pit site in Rotherham.

The 200 hectare colliery at Maltby was mined for over 100 years until geological conditions could not be overcome and underground operations ceased in 2013.


Owners and operators, Hargreaves decided to mothball the mine following no viable alternative solution being found to geological reports that indicated that the risks associated with mining a new panel, called T125, had not significantly reduced and that the panel is not viable on health and safety, geological, and financial grounds.

The winding tower was brought down last year and the mine shafts have been filled and capped. The future restoration scheme, included in the planning permission for the mine's operation, is "subject to some uncertainty" as the underground workings came to a premature end. Hargreaves had planned to import 675,000 tonnes of mine runoff fines, known as MRF, from nearby Hatfield Colliery and deposited in the current lagoon at Maltby. MRF is a fine slurry-like material which is formed during the washing and reclamation of coal fines (tiny coal particles).

Up until the end of October 2014, a total of approximately 400,000 tonnes of MRF had already been deposited at Maltby but members of the planning board refused the planning application for the importation of material. After the decision was made in December, enforcement action was authorised, and the operators were ordered to stop importing MRF to the site. Hargreaves is appealing against enforcement action authorised by Rotherham Council.

Now Rotherham Council has been forced to formally request a revised scheme of restoration and aftercare from Hargreaves in relation to the conditions of a previous planning permission. The site sits within the borough's Green Belt and Phase 1A of the restoration is set to focus on creating an amenity grassland on the 5.74 hectares to the south west of the site.

The importation of materials is set to create a finished land level "nominally above existing levels" and form part of the wider restoration scheme.

Despite being refused plans to import MRF to the site, Hargreaves intends to import restoration materials into Maltby now that material is no longer coming from the underground workings. This is set to include a limited range of material types which has been submitted to the Environment Agency (EA) for approval, including waste types from a list predetermined by the EA.

The MRF application was refused by the planning board, against the recommendations of the planning officer. The board concluded that "the importation of material to the site represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt as it does not relate to the material produced from the Maltby Colliery itself and as the engineering operations would not preserve the openness of the Green Belt. No very special circumstances have been demonstrated by the applicant to justify the harm and there is no indication that the operation would assist with the long term restoration of the site."

In addition, "the Council considers that the HGV vehicle movements resulting from the development are detrimental to the amenity of residents living along the route from the M18 motorway to the site and on the town centre of Maltby itself, by virtue of noise nuisance, general disturbance, and the deposition of material in the highway. This traffic generation is not related to the essential mining operation on the site or on an approved site restoration programme for Maltby Colliery which might otherwise justify such traffic generation."

The updated restoration scheme is set to result in 32 HGV movements per day as opposed to the 60 expected for the original MRF importation.

Bill Firth, director of Hargreaves Environmental Services (HES), said: "The restoration at Maltby provides a number of opportunities across the Group. For example, we can recover redundant materials from some of our existing customers, whilst also securing new customers from the organic materials treatment and water sectors. Coupled with the transport of materials to site by our Logistics Division, we can provide an integrated supply chain that is reproducible at other Hargreaves coal mining assets."

The immediate future of the site is as Maltby Energy Park, with operator Alkane Energy generating energy from the coal mine methane assets for an estimated period of up to 15 years.

In the final draft of the council's Local Plan, the majority of the Maltby site is being put forward as remaining in the green belt with a pocket of development, which includes the pit yard, associated buildings and access, not considered suitable for a business park with offices or industrial units but instead used for "for waste and energy activities."

Egdon Resources, a leading player in shale gas exploration, recently acquired the interest in the current licence to explore for the controversial energy source at Maltby.

Hargreaves Services website

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Wednesday, February 18, 2015

News: Hargreaves confident despite market conditions

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Mining and logistics firm Hargreaves Services, has seen profits fall in "unprecedented" market conditions and incurred losses associated with the discontinued operations at Maltby Colliery in Rotherham.

Reporting its financial results for the six months to November 30, revenues at the Durham group dropped 23.7% to £351.2m. Underlying pre-tax profit was down 28.8 per cent to £20.3m. Hargreaves said that it had faced a number of significant challenges arising from the well documented weakness in the coal price and turmoil in coal and coke markets.

The board of Hargreaves said that it was still confident in continuing overall profit and cash generation even through this difficult period.

The 500 acre colliery at Maltby was mined for over 100 years until geological conditions could not be overcome and underground operations ceased in 2013.

Regarding Maltby, the report said: "The loss of £1.1m for the period from discontinued operations largely related to costs incurred at Maltby Colliery as part of the overall restoration programme. As previously reported, the mine shafts have been filled and capped and the Group has now received formal certification that this has been completed.

"The process to sell the underground equipment continues; there have been a number of enquiries and a further £1.7m of realisations have been achieved during the period leaving a net residual book value to recover of £5m. The Group remains confident of achieving in excess of book value for the assets but notes that low commodity prices have further depressed the mining equipment markets."

The future restoration scheme is "subject to some uncertainty" as the underground workings came to a premature end. Hargreaves had planned to import 675,000 tonnes of mine runoff fines, known as MRF, from nearby Hatfield Colliery and deposited in the current lagoon at Maltby. MRF is a fine slurry-like material which is formed during the washing and reclamation of coal fines (tiny coal particles).

Up until the end of October 2014, a total of approximately 400,000 tonnes of MRF had already been deposited at Maltby but members of the planning board refused the planning application for the importation of material. After the decision was made in December, enforcement action was authorised, and the operators were ordered to stop importing MRF to the site. Hargreaves is appealing against enforcement action authorised by Rotherham Council.

The immediate future of the site is as Maltby Energy Park, with operator Alkane Energy generating energy from the coal mine methane assets for an estimated period of up to 15 years.

Egdon Resources, a leading player in shale gas exploration, recently acquired the interest in the current licence to explore for the controversial energy source at Maltby.

In the final draft of the borough's Sites and Policies document the majority of the 200 hectare site is earmarked to remain in the green belt. A pocket of development, which includes the pit yard, associated buildings and access, is not considered suitable for a business park with offices or industrial units but instead used for "for waste and energy activities."

Hargreaves website

Images: Hargreaves Logistics

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Wednesday, February 4, 2015

News: Appeal over Maltby pit plans refusal

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Hargreaves is appealing against enforcement action authorised by Rotherham Council after revised plans to import tonnes of material to the mothballed Maltby pit site were refused.

The 500 acre colliery at Maltby was mined for over 100 years until geological conditions could not be overcome and underground operations ceased in 2013.

A planning application was submitted in September to Rotherham Council by Maltby Colliery Ltd (Hargreaves) to allow for 450,000 tonnes of mine runoff fines, known as MRF, to be transported each year from nearby Hatfield Colliery and deposited in the current lagoon at Maltby. MRF is a fine slurry-like material which is formed during the washing and reclamation of coal fines (tiny coal particles). It made up much of the 1.4m tonne landslip at Hatfield in February 2013 and without anywhere to deposit the MRF, the mine would eventually close.

The plans were amended and the new proposal related to the importation of material up until October 2015, with a maximum import level of 275,000 for the remaining year of operations. Up until the end of October 2014, a total of approximately 400,000 tonnes of MRF had already been deposited at Maltby. This would result in a total of up to 675,000 tonnes, considerably less than the 2.25 million tonnes of material originally proposed.

The council's planning officers recommended that the plans be approved but members of the planning board at Rotherham Council went against the recommendations of its own planners and voted to refuse revised plans.

The board believe that the importation of material represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt, as it does not relate to the material produced from the Maltby Colliery, and that the HGV vehicle movements resulting from the development are detrimental to the amenity of residents living along the route from the M18 motorway to the site.

After the decision was made in December, enforcement action was authorised, and the operators were ordered to stop importing MRF to the site.

The developer submitted an appeal in respect of the enforcement notice served as a consequence of the council's refusal of this application for planning permission. Minutes from the subsequent planning board stated that "Members asked that the Maltby Town Council be notified of these issues and of the continuation of the importation of materials to this site, pending the outcome of the appeal."

Between April 2013 and August 2014 some 345,000 tonnes of material was deposited in the huge lagoon at Maltby which was due to be filled as part of the multimillion pound restoration of the site. The future restoration scheme is "subject to some uncertainty" as the underground workings came to a premature end.

Buildings have been demolished and the mine shafts have been filled and capped. The immediate future of the site is as Maltby Energy Park, with operator Alkane Energy generating energy from the coal mine methane assets for an estimated period of up to 15 years.

Images: MJ Hickey Ltd

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Monday, December 22, 2014

News: Maltby plans refused

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Members of the planning board at Rotherham Council have gone against the recommendations of its own planners and voted to refuse revised plans to import tonnes of material to the mothballed Maltby pit site in Rotherham.

The 500 acre colliery at Maltby was mined for over 100 years until geological conditions could not be overcome and underground operations ceased in 2013.

A planning application was submitted in September to Rotherham Council by Maltby Colliery Ltd (Hargreaves) to allow for 450,000 tonnes of mine runoff fines, known as MRF, to be transported each year from nearby Hatfield Colliery and deposited in the current lagoon at Maltby. MRF is a fine slurry-like material which is formed during the washing and reclamation of coal fines (tiny coal particles). It made up much of the 1.4m tonne landslip at Hatfield in February 2013 and without anywhere to deposit the MRF, the mine would eventually close.

The temporary period began in April 2013 and the lagoon was due to be filled anyway as part of the colliery's restoration plan. The permission would have equated to a total potential import of 2.25 million tonnes of material but after a recent public meeting, further discussions held with Rotherham Council and approval granted for an additional spoil tip Hatfield, the Maltby plans were amended.

The new proposal relates to the importation of material up until October 2015, with a maximum import level of 275,000 for the remaining year of operations. Up until the end of October 2014, a total of approximately 400,000 tonnes of MRF had already been deposited at Maltby. This would result in a total of up to 675,000 tonnes, considerably less than originally proposed.

The site is actually within the Green Belt and planners were satisfied that very special circumstances were demonstrated in order for planning permission to be granted. However, minutes from the recent planning board meeting declare that it is not in favour of application as "the importation of material to the site represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt as it does not relate to the material produced from the Maltby Colliery itself and as the engineering operations would not preserve the openness of the Green Belt. No very special circumstances have been demonstrated by the applicant to justify the harm and there is no indication that the operation would assist with the long term restoration of the site."

In addition, "the Council considers that the HGV vehicle movements resulting from the development are detrimental to the amenity of residents living along the route from the M18 motorway to the site and on the town centre of Maltby itself, by virtue of noise nuisance, general disturbance, and the deposition of material in the highway. This traffic generation is not related to the essential mining operation on the site or on an approved site restoration programme for Maltby Colliery which might otherwise justify such traffic generation."

Enforcement action has now been authorised, and the operators have been ordered to stop importing MRF to the site.

Buildings have been demolished and the mine shafts have been filled and capped. The immediate future of the site is as Maltby Energy Park, with operator Alkane Energy generating energy from the coal mine methane assets for an estimated period of up to 15 years.

In the final draft of the council's Local Plan the majority of the Maltby site is being put forward as remaining in the green belt with a pocket of development, which includes the pit yard, associated buildings and access, not considered suitable for a business park with offices or industrial units but instead used for "for waste and energy activities."

Egdon Resources, a leading player in shale gas exploration, recently acquired the interest in the current licence to explore for the controversial energy source at Maltby.

Images: Hargreaves

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Tuesday, October 14, 2014

News: Maltby's future as energy and waste site

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Whilst former coalfields in Rotherham have been transformed into thriving business locations, enterprise zones, retail parks and new communities, Maltby's future use looks set to address the pressing needs of energy and waste.

The previous economic growth cycle saw large parts of the Dearne Valley reclaimed for business developments, housing and leisure; Dinnington reclaimed as business parks and greenspace; and the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) at Waverley makes the former Orgreave coking works seem a distant memory.

The site of the former Maltby Colliery, where 100 years of underground working ended in 2013, is unlikely to see a similar transformation after council planners determined that most of it should stay in the greenbelt and that a 24 hectare site containing existing development is not an "appropriate location for general industrial or business use development."

Consultation has begun on the final draft of the borough's Sites and Policies document as the council finalises its local plan. A total of 42 proposed development sites have been identified through reviews and surveys as the council aims to meet the demand for land needed over the next 15 years to meet the broad requirements of 12 - 15,000 additional jobs.

The Maltby site is some 200 hectares in total and lies within the greenbelt. The council had considered removing the whole area, including spoil heap, from the greenbelt or limiting the loss to the greenbelt by removing a section between the railway line and main road to allow for redevelopment.

The preferred option is to limit any loss of greenbelt to the built part of the colliery. "It is acknowledged that this forms a pocket of development; however it is considered that this approach allows re-use of the site given its exceptional circumstances (the rail head and national grid connections)."

The pocket of development, which includes the pit yard, associated buildings and access, is not considered suitable for a business park with offices or industrial units but instead used for "for waste and energy activities."

The latest planning documents state: "The Council is keen to ensure that effective use is made of this site given its existing rail and national grid connections. However acknowledging its location and site context a limited number of uses are proposed to be acceptable on the site.

"Whilst this is a good size site, specific suitable uses have been identified; given its location (to the east of Maltby) and characteristics it is not considered an appropriate location for general industrial or business use development.

"Uses related to waste, energy and composting are likely to be needed within the plan period and making provision for these on a site which has historically seen non-confirming / bad neighbour uses is considered appropriate."

The surveys show that the landowner, Hargreaves, is seeking alternative uses which could come forward in six to ten years. The mine shafts have been filled and capped and the immediate future of the site is as Maltby Energy Park, with operator Alkane Energy generating energy from the coal mine methane assets for an estimated period of up to 15 years.

Egdon Resources, a leading player in shale gas exploration, recently acquired the interest in the current licence to explore for the controversial energy source at Maltby.

Images: Hargreaves Logistics

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