New stores are getting ready to open for business at a £36m retail development in Rotherham where over 200 jobs have been created.
At Cortonwood Shopping Park, work started last year on a programme to demolish the vacant 150,000 sq ft ALBA warehouse, following which J F Finnegan undertook works to create 11 new retail units and a restaurant totalling 79,750 sq ft.
Getting ready to open are national retailers Outfit, H&M, New Look, River Island, Mountain Warehouse, Marks and Spencer Simply Food, Clark's, JD Sports, Wilkos, Poundland and Frankie & Benny's.
Only passed on appeal, the development is from Helical Retail and forms an extension to Cortonwood Retail Park which was developed by St Paul's Developments, totally transforming the site of the former Cortonwood Colliery, where the 1984 miners' strike began.
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Helical Bar plc is a property investment and development company and is working with partners, Oswin Developments Limited on the scheme.
Jonathan Cox of Helical Retail said: "This development has come about over a period of time which many retailers have found challenging, underlining the confidence these high profile names have in Cortonwood as a retail destination."
Edgerley Simpson Howe acted for Helical Retail and Aberdeen Asset Management was advised by CWM.
The 9,000 sq ft M&S Foodhall, which has created 57 jobs at the scheme, has set its opening date as August 30.
Helical Retail funded the development to clients of Aberdeen Asset Management for £36.3m, showing the buyer a yield of c.5.5%. Aberdeen Asset Management PLC is a global investment management group, managing assets for institutional and retail clients from offices around the world.
Over 95% of the scheme was pre-let "off plan" and the developers believe that the new retail park will create between 279 and 372 jobs (equivalent to 186 full time jobs).
Helical plc has narrowed the focus of the company to London, offices in Manchester and a portfolio of logistics units. It expects to sell off remaining non-core assets, such as its retail portfolio, this year.
Outdoors specialist, Mountain Warehouse, looks to have snapped up the last remaining unit at a £36m retail development in Rotherham.
Work is close to completion at the Cortonwood Shopping Park where Sheffield contractor, J F Finnegan has led on the work to demolish the vacant 150,000 sq ft ALBA warehouse, and then construct 11 new retail units totalling 120,000 sq ft.
Before work even began, leading name retailers had signed up to take units - Outfit, H&M, New Look, River Island, Marks and Spencer Simply Food, Clark's, JD Sports, Wilkos, Poundland and Frankie & Benny's.
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The last unit looks to have been taken by Mountain Warehouse as it sets out plans to open 40 new stores in the year ahead, 20 in the UK.
The developer, Helical plc, said in its latest financial report to the stock exchange that construction is continuing with completion due in July 2017. Stores are set to open in August.
The developers believe that the new retail park will create between 279 and 372 jobs (equivalent to 186 full time jobs).
Mountain Warehouse recently published record results with profits jumping by 22% to £19.8m for the year ending February 2017, while sales were up 30.8% to £184.8m. Like-for-like sales increased by 16.5% over the period.
Founded in 1997, the business now sells mainly own brand clothing, footwear and equipment. It operates 260 stores worldwide and aims to have 300 UK stores and expand further overseas.
Helical Retail pre-funded the development to clients of Aberdeen Asset Management for £36.3m. Only passed on appeal, it forms an extension to Cortonwood Retail Park which was developed by St Paul's Developments, totally transforming the site of the former Cortonwood Colliery, where the 1984 miners' strike began.
On the same site, Palmer Capital recently acquired Dearne House for £5.25m, reflecting a net initial yield of 6.75%. Acquired for the Palmer Capital Income Fund and securely let to The Royal Mail Group Limited for a further 13 years with fixed uplifts, Dearne House comprises 51,671 sq ft of modern office accommodation.
As the regenerated site becomes a retail destination, Palmer Capital said that the deal offers "Royal Mail superb local amenities and the fund with a strong residual value position at the end of the lease."
Sheffield-based contractor JF Finnegan has been appointed by Helical Retail Limited to deliver Cortonwood Shopping Park, the £36m new retail development in Rotherham.
Work on site has started on a programme of works which will involve the demolition of a vacant 150,000 sq ft ALBA warehouse, following which site preparation works will take place ready for the development of 11 new retail units totalling 120,000 sq ft for occupiers to be trading by Autumn 2017.
Rothbiz reported last week that Outfit, H&M, New Look, River Island, Marks and Spencer Simply Food, Clark's, JD Sports, Wilkos, Poundland and Frankie & Benny's have all signed up to take units.
The developers believe that the new retail park will create between 279 and 372 jobs (equivalent to 186 full time jobs).
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Only passed on appeal, the planned development forms an extension to Cortonwood Retail Park which was developed by St Paul's Developments, totally transforming the site of the former Cortonwood Colliery, where the 1984 miners' strike began.
The latest contract continues JF Finnegan's long-standing involvement at the former colliery site, having constructed all 250,000 sq ft of retail units in the previous phases over the last 20 years.
Adrian Russell, of Helical Retail, said: "Our aspirations for a new retail development to enhance the existing offering at Cortonwood have been long awaited by the local residents and we are delighted to have now reached the stage where work is starting on site.
"By attracting new retailers to the area, the scheme is bringing significant capital investment and new jobs to the locality in addition to adding to the vibrancy of an already successful retail destination. We appointed JF Finnegan due to their historic involvement with Cortonwood and their strong reputation and are looking forward to seeing work progress on site."
Dawa Singh, head of pre-construction at JF Finnegan, added: "Over the years we have witnessed the transformation of Cortonwood into one of the region's most acclaimed regeneration projects and shopping destinations. We have been working alongside Helical Retail and their Project Managers PMS (Wessex) Limited for some time to develop the plans for the new extension which will ensure the continued success of the development. Our teams are now undertaking preparatory works on site."
Helical Retail has funded the development to clients of Aberdeen Asset Management for £36.3m, showing the buyer a yield of c.5.5%.
Aberdeen Asset Management PLC is a global investment management group, managing assets for institutional and retail clients from offices around the world.
Retailers and funders have shown confidence in proposals for Cortonwood Shopping Park, with deals signed so that construction can begin on the Rotherham retail development that is set to create over 200 jobs.
Outfit, H&M, New Look, River Island, Marks and Spencer Simply Food, Clark's, JD Sports, Wilkos, Poundland and Frankie & Benny's have all signed up to take units at the new retail development at Cortonwood.
Plans for a 98,000 sq ft development, to be known as Cortonwood Shopping Park, were only passed on appeal at a public inquiry in 2013 after earlier being refused by Rotherham Council.
Developer Helical Retail has been working on an extension to the existing Cortonwood Retail Park and the scheme would see a current distribution warehouse demolished to make way for ten large units. Helical Bar plc is a property investment and development company and is working with partners, Oswin Developments Limited on the scheme.
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A funding deal has now been secured that means that construction can get underway. Helical Retail has funded the development to clients of Aberdeen Asset Management for £36.3m, showing the buyer a yield of c.5.5%.
Aberdeen Asset Management PLC is a global investment management group, managing assets for institutional and retail clients from offices around the world.
Over 95% of the scheme was pre-let "off plan" with work due to start this week with completion due in June 2017.
The developers believe that the new retail park will create between 279 and 372 jobs (equivalent to 186 full time jobs).
Jonathan Cox, managing director of Helical Retail, said: "This is one of only a very few funding deals in the market at present. The pre-lettings of ten out of the proposed 11 units to some of the strongest fashion retailers in this sector will arguably create one of the best shopping parks available in recent times."
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Robert Cass, head of UK property transactions at Aberdeen Asset Management, said: "We are delighted to be funding this opportunity with Helical Retail who have a strong track record in delivering high quality schemes. The retailer line up attracted is testament to their confidence in the scheme and will build on the already very successful retail destination at Cortonwood."
Edgerley Simpson Howe acted for Helical Retail on both the lettings and funding. Forsters acted on behalf of a fund managed by Aberdeen Asset Management (AAM).
Already home to the likes of Morrisons, Next, Argos, Asda Living, Boots and B&Q, Cortonwood Retail Park was developed by St Paul's Developments,totally transforming the site of the former Cortonwood Colliery, where the 1984 miners' strike began. It was sold to The Hercules Unit Trust for £46.5m in 2003. In 2009 the trust sold the long leasehold interest in the the park to the Kirkham Family Trust for an estimated price of £41.85m.
Planning permission has been granted for a new Frankie & Benny's restaurant at a new multimillion pound retail development at Cortonwood in Rotherham.
Plans for a 98,000 sq ft development, to be known as Cortonwood Shopping Park, were only passed on appeal at a public inquiry in 2013 after earlier being refused by Rotherham Council.
Developer Helical Retail has been working on an extension to the existing Cortonwood Retail Park and the scheme would see a current distribution warehouse demolished to make way for ten large units.
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Amended a number of times, the latest plans include an application to allow the tenth stand alone unit to be used as a restaurant (A3 use), to be occupied by Frankie & Benny's. After marketing the site to potential occupiers, the developers concluded that a ancillary restaurant would be highly desirable.
The proposed 3,600 sq ft unit is set to be large enough to accommodate 166 customers indoors. They typically create around 30 full time equivalent jobs.
The favourite family-run restaurant focusses on classic American-Italian style cuisine and the majority of the 250 restaurants are found within leisure and retail locations. It is one of a number of brands operated by The Restaurant Group plc which posted revenues of £635m and operating profit £80.5m in 2014.
The plans have been approved with a number of conditions by officers at Rotherham Council without the need to go to the planning board.
The plans explain the Frankie & Benny's business model which focuses on retail and leisure destinations and adds that the restaurant "would have an ancillary role which improves the attractiveness of the Shopping Park, as opposed to acting as a destination in its own right."
A report on the approval states: "The principle of retail development is already established and the floorspace of the proposal together with the reduction of the floorspace in other units does not result in any significant net increase. This proposal is for an A3 use (intended operator Frankie & Benny's) rather than an A1 use, however both are considered to represent town centre uses and there are not considered to [be] any new retail impact implications not previously considered."
Plans for a similar restaurant development were approved at Parkgate Shopping across Rotherham in 2012 having originally been set for refusal. Previous site owners British Land offered a £130,000 contribution to be used by the Council on a range of initiatives to improve the vitality and viability of Rotherham town centre and the plans were subsequently approved.
Helical Retail has said that terms are agreed with a number of leading fashion retailers for the site of the former colliery at Cortonwood and a start on site is anticipated in spring 2016, once funding has been obtained.
One retailer set to open on the park is Marks & Spencer, which has secured planning permission to operate a "Simply Food" store.
The developers believe that the new retail park will create between 279 and 372 jobs (equivalent to 186 full time jobs).
Developers are set to include a new popular restaurant as part of a multimillion pound retail development in Rotherham - if plans are approved.
Plans for a 98,000 sq ft development, to be known as Cortonwood Shopping Park, were only passed on appeal at a public inquiry in 2013 after earlier being refused by Rotherham Council.
Developer Helical Retail has been working on an extension to the existing Cortonwood Retail Park and the scheme would see a current distribution warehouse demolished to make way for ten large units.
Amended a number of times, the latest plans include an application to allow the tenth stand alone unit to be used as a restaurant (A3 use), to be occupied by Frankie & Benny's.
The favourite family-run restaurant focusses on classic American-Italian style cuisine and the majority of the 250 restaurants are found within leisure and retail locations. It is one of a number of brands operated by The Restaurant Group plc which posted revenues of £635m and operating profit £80.5m in 2014.
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Drawn up by consultants, MRPP and architects, Davis Weatherill, the proposed 3,600 sq ft unit is set to be large enough to accommodate 166 customers indoors.
The plans state: "After marketing the site to operators, it has become apparent that to facilitate a suitably attractive shopping environment, and thus cater better for the needs of the shopping park's future customers, securing an ancillary restaurant is highly desirable."
The plans look to appease planning rules, and a sequential test assessment has been undertaken in line with national and local planning policies. Sequential tests ensure that development is located in the most sustainable location first (usually in town centres), before other, less sustainable locations are chosen.
The plans explain the Frankie & Benny's business model which focuses on retail and leisure destinations and adds that the restaurant "would have an ancillary role which improves the attractiveness of the Shopping Park, as opposed to acting as a destination in its own right."
Indeed, Rotherham Council approved plans for a Frankie & Benny's at Parkgate Shopping in 2012.
Helical Retail said that terms are agreed with a number of leading fashion retailers for the site of the former colliery and a start on site is anticipated in spring 2016, once funding has been obtained.
One retailer set to open on the park is Marks & Spencer, which has secured planning permission to operate a "Simply Food" store.
The developers believe that the new retail park will create between 279 and 372 jobs (equivalent to 186 full time jobs).
Renowned British retailer, Marks & Spencer could be one of the first occupiers at a new £30m retail development in Rotherham, if planning approval can be gained for a Simply Food store.
Plans for a 98,000 sq ft development, to be known as Cortonwood Shopping Park, were only passed on appeal at a public inquiry in 2013 after earlier being refused by Rotherham Council.
Developer Helical Retail has been working on an extension to the existing Cortonwood Retail Park and the initial scheme would see a current distribution warehouse demolished to make way for six large units.
Plans were amended in 2014 for nine new out-of-town retail stores creating around 85,000 sq ft of development together with the addition of floorspace at mezzanine level that would not exceed 60,000 sq ft of gross internal area. A tenth standalone unit has been added to the scheme.
Earlier this year, Helical Retail said that negotiations were proceeding with a number of leading fashion retailers and a start on site is anticipated in January 2016, once funding has been obtained.
The developers believe that the new retail park will create between 279 and 372 jobs (equivalent to 186 full time jobs).
Marks & Spencer has expressed firm interest in operating its "Simply Food" operation from the scheme and is looking to take a 1,022 sq m unit, creating an estimated 50 - 55 jobs. Company policy for store openings sees the recruitment of as many of the new staff as possible from the local area.
However, M&S store will only take the unit if developers can overturn a condition of the original planning permission that prevents the primary use of any of the permitted retail units to be for the sale of food.
Advertisement A retail statement included with the application discusses the impact of the proposed food store on the catchment area of the belt of Dearne Valley towns and concludes that "there is more than adequate capacity to accommodate the proposal in the context of the retail geography of the catchment area."
It adds that any trade diversion is likely to come from supermarkets and superstores and that the new Cortonwood development is set to "claw back trade currently going primarily to Parkgate, Meadowhall, various retail parks and to a much lesser extent, town centres."
Based on 2019 estimates with the proposed M&S having a turnover of £9.48m, most trade is expected to be diverted from the nearby Morrison's (£2.57m) and from M&S and Morrison's at Parkgate (£1.28m). £1.07m of the store's turnover is assessed as being diverted from town and district centres, the only locations given protection by national planning policies.
A sequential assessment has not been submitted.
In a letter in support of the application, Chris Smith, Simply Food acquisitions manager for Marks & Spencer, said: "We see the proposal as having a range of benefits for our existing and future customers including through the convenience of being able to purchase items, whether in conjunction with shopping trips to ... neighbouring and wider retail parks at Cortonwood, or as an additional food retailing facility for local area residents.
"We will be extending choice, competition and diversity in food retailing for users of the retail park and for local residents and complimenting our other stores in surrounding areas which sell both non-food and food goods.
"Our intention is to increase our food market share, and consistent with this we remain committed to our stores within Barnsley (Queen Street), Rotherham Parkgate and Meadowhall which have been subject to recent investment and will remain unaffected by this proposal."
Developer, Helical Retail, is making slight amendments to its planned £30m retail park at Cortonwood in Rotherham.
Plans for a 98,000 sq ft development, to be known as Cortonwood Shopping Park, were passed on appeal last year after earlier being refused by Rotherham Council.
The new scheme will form a £30m extension to the existing Cortonwood Retail Park and will see a current distribution warehouse demolished to make way for eight new out-of-town retail stores. The approved plans were for six larger units.
The plans are being brought forward by Budenny LLP, formerly the property division of Alba PLC who built and operated the Dearne Valley warehouse before leasing it to UPS in 2008. They are working with developers, Helical Retail, a joint venture between Helical Bar plc and Oswin Developments Limited.
If approved, the amended plans would involve around 85,000 sq ft of development together with the addition of floorspace at mezzanine level that would not exceed 60,000 sq ft of gross internal area.
The new plans are set to provide flexibility for the owners and potential occupiers. Units are expected to range from approximately 7,500 sq ft to 15,000 sq ft, with the proposed mezzanine floorspace to be "called upon" up when required across the scheme.
The developers believe that the new retail park will create between 279 and 372 jobs (equivalent to 186 full time jobs).
Already home to the likes of Morrisons, Next, Argos, Asda Living, Boots and B&Q Cortonwood Retail Park was developed by St Paul's Developments,totally transforming the site of the former Cortonwood Colliery, where the 1984 miners' strike began. It was sold to The Hercules Unit Trust for £46.5m in 2003. In 2009 the trust sold the long leasehold interest in the the park to the Kirkham Family Trust for an estimated price of £41.85m.
Helical, exchanged contracts on the adjacent site in 2012, subject to planning. The conditional purchase of the site is also subject to pre-lettings of a percentage of the retail space.
Edgerley Simpson Howe is the letting agent for Cortonwood Shopping Park.
Developers, Helical Retail, are set to invest £30m in a retail park at Cortonwood in Rotherham.
Plans for a 98,000 sq ft development, to be known as Cortonwood Shopping Park, were recently passed on appeal after earlier being refused by Rotherham Council.
The new scheme will form a £30m extension to the existing Cortonwood Retail Park and will see a current distribution warehouse demolished to make way for six new out-of-town retail stores. Those behind the plans say that it could create 250 jobs.
Developed by St Paul's Developments, Cortonwood Retail Park was sold to The Hercules Unit Trust for £46.5m in 2003. In 2009 the trust sold the long leasehold interest in the the park to the Kirkham Family Trust for an estimated price of £41.85m. Lord Kirkham, the founder of DFS, is a partner in Black Diamond Investments who objected to the plans for the new retail development.
Developed in phases, work began on 32,500 sq ft of new retail space on the park in 2011. Sheffield firm, JF Finnegan has constructed all 250,000 sq ft of retail units in the previous phases over the last 20 years, totally transforming the site of the former Cortonwood Colliery, where the 1984 miners' strike began.
The latest plans were put forward by Budenny LLP, formerly the property division of Alba PLC who built and operated the Dearne Valley warehouse before leasing it to UPS in 2008. They are working with developers, Helical Retail, a joint venture between Helical Bar plc and Oswin Developments Limited.
Cortonwood Shopping Park will comprise of retail and restaurant units, and Helical Retail expect to start work on site in early 2015.
Adrian Russell of Helical Retail said: "The existing Cortonwood Retail Park is already very successful and includes tenants such as Morrisons, Next, Argos, Asda Living, Boots and B&Q.
"[The extension] will bring more quality retailers to this vibrant destination and create much needed jobs in the area."
Helical, exchanged contracts on the site last year, subject to planning. The conditional purchase of the site is also subject to pre-lettings of a percentage of the retail space.
Edgerley Simpson Howe is the letting agent for Cortonwood Shopping Park.
A new prospectus to encourage Government departments to re-locate to Yorkshire and The Humber has been published.
Commissioned by the Regional Minister, Rosie Winterton and published by Yorkshire Forward, "Putting the Frontline First: Smarter Government – a prospectus for Yorkshire and The Humber", sets out the business case for Yorkshire and The Humber as an excellent location for civil service activities and jobs.
Ms Winterton said: "We have a good track record of attracting relocations and already have a significant presence of civil service operations here. This all adds up to a strong case for Yorkshire and The Humber as a base for civil service activities."
Over 636,000 people are currently employed in public administration in the region. In addition, Yorkshire and The Humber also has some major central government departments including the Department for Work and Pensions in the Dearne Valley.
Key points in the prospectus include competetive costs, a highlighy skilled workforce, good transport links and the importnace of quality of life and cost of living.
Ms Winterton said: "These strengths help to explain why Yorkshire and The Humber attracted the biggest shares of a previous programme to re-locate posts from London and the South-East.
"The aim of this new prospectus is to highlight again all that our region has to offer to encourage more public sector jobs and the economic and social benefits that they bring."
Tom Riordan, chief executive of Yorkshire Forward, said: "Yorkshire and Humber has an excellent standard of living and the right infrastructure to support the relocation of Government operations into the region. We have a strong track record of successfully achieving this in a way which maintains the highest quality of service and keeps costs down; enabling resources to be redirected into frontline services where they are most needed."
Last month, outline plans were approved for a 60,000 sq m government office campus at Waverley in Rotherham. Yorkshire Forward website Rotherham
Members of the planning board at Rotherham Council have voted to approve outline plans for the massive redevlopment of Waverley in Rotherham.
Members agreed with planners that approval be granted for UK Coal's outline application to create a sustainable, high density, mixed use community, including 3890 houses, community facilities and green areas.
They also agreed with planners that approval be granted for Helical Governetz outline plans for a 60,000 sq m government office campus and hotel on the site.
The decisions of the members will go through the Council's call-in procedure and are subject to legal agreements and both applications will be referred to the Secratary of State for confirmation. Should the Secretary decide not to intervene, planning permission will be granted.
The application is for South Yorkshire's largest ever brownfield development creating a new 4,000 home community across 741 acres from UK COAL's property arm, Harworth Estates.
Members, developers, officers and members of the public discussed issues such as affordable housing, drainage, transport and air quality before the plans were approved.
A section 106 agreement between the developers and the council will see the developer provide £24.5m to ensure that the local area benefits from the development. These range from providing £11m for two primary schools and other financial contributions for new facilities such as playing pitches and a new link road. 21% of the 3890 houses need to be affordable.
Members passed a motion to ammend the condition to ensure that the affordable housing provision is brought forward to the begining of phase one of the development.
The government office campus is a result of work by Helical Bar plc, Governetz Ltd and Haworth Estates (UK Coal) with the intention to provide high specification offices for government departments in response to the desire to move activities out of central London and into the regions.
The two proposals are expected to create over 7,000 jobs with a development phase of over 20 years.
Further applications are now expected regarding the park and ride on the site and details of the phases of development.
Cllr Gerald Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services, described the application as a "huge step" in both the regeneration of this particular site and the provision of new housing for the Borough.
He said: "Today's application has taken many years to complete and all credit must be given to all who have worked on it. I am obviously delighted that members of the Planning Regulatory Board have given their support because this is a much-needed development which, over the next 20 years, will transform this brown-field site into a whole new community providing good, affordable housing, including rented and shared ownership homes as well as privately-owned homes, together with all the necessary services and amenities."
The outline planning applications for two major parts of the massive redevlopment of Waverley in Rotherham have been recommended for approval.
The application for South Yorkshire's largest ever brownfield development creating a new 4,000 home community across 741 acres from UK COAL's property arm, Harworth Estates, and the application for a proposed government office campus from Helical Governetz are set to go before the planning board of Rotherham Council on January 25.
A report from Rotherham planners indicates that the Waverley outline application is recommended to be referred to the Secretary of State as it departs from the Unitary Development Plan as some land set for employment is to be used for housing. If the Secretary decides not to intervene, RMBC planners recommend that the planning permission is granted.
If granted, there are 25 parts to a section 106 agreement attached to ensure that the local area benefits from the development. These range from providing £11m for two primary schools and other financial contributions for new facilities such as playing pitches and a new link road. 21% of the 3890 houses need to be affordable.
There are also 51 conditions attached to the planning permission which cover usage, phasing, design, drainage, energy, transport and landscaping.
The report concludes: "The proposals, whilst not in accordance with the current UDP are generally in accordance with Regional and National policies and where they are not, reasoned justification has been given." The amount, and type, of housing it will create is given as the main reason for approval as well as the new services and facilities, the fact that a former colliery is being developed and the benefits secured through the section 106.
The Helical Governetz outline application for 60,000 sq m government office campus is also recommended for approval.
There is another section 106 agreement which mainly covers transport linked to a new interchange or money for other public transport and links to the proposed park & ride that needs to be developed before offices are fully occupied. A strategy also has to be submitted to enable local people to access subsequent job opportunities arising from the development.
There are also 50 conditions attached with the first stating that the first occupiers must be users wholly engaged in the provision of regional authority and government services and/or national government services. Another states that the transport interchange is in operation prior to the occupation of more than 10,000 sq ft of office space. Other conditions cover usage phasing, design, drainage, energy, transport and landscaping.
The report states that "the development accords to the Regional Spatial Strategy and national policy. The Applicant has demonstrated that the proposed development is of an appropriate scale; that no other sites are available. The development will not have a detrimental impact on town and city centres and that the site is accessible by public transport."
The objections from Sheffield Council are detailed, as are "serious concerns" from Creative Sheffield - they consider that the development will undermine Sheffield’s attempts to transform its city centre.
The developers have even assessed the Meadowhall site that Sheffield put forward as an alternative and shown why Waverley is in fact preferable.
The report concludes that "it is considered that the applicant has adequately demonstrated that there is a quantitative and qualitative need for the development, not least because there is insufficient Grade A floorspace available in any of the four towns and cities in South Yorkshire, but also because the proposals have an end user in mind."
The two proposals are expected to create over 7,000 jobs with a development phase of over 20 years.
Members of Sheffield Council's planning board have been recommended to object to Helical Governetz's application for a proposed 60,000 sq m government office campus at Waverley in Rotherham.
Utilising 38 acres of land between the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) and the Waverley Community development, the campus is expected to provide office space for 2,000 employees.
Helical Bar plc, Governetz Ltd and Haworth Estates (UK Coal) are working together with the intention to provide high specification offices for government departments in response to the desire to move activities out of central London and into the regions.
In report by Les Sturch, Director of Development Services at Sheffield Council, he recommends that members of Sheffield's planning board "object to, and call on Rotherham MBC to refuse planning permission for the Helical Governetz's application for 60,000sq m of business development at Highfield Commercial on the grounds that alternative, more sustainable locations exist in Sheffield/Rotherham that better meet Government guidance for significant "town centre" development such as this."
The report states that proposed schemes in Sheffield such as the plans for the River Don District near Meadowhall, and sites in the city centre can meet the need for relocating government departments and that the public sector should be setting an example and supporting its own policy for major in-centre office development.
The report advocates that as the transport interchange for the Waverley site is only proposed, the offices cannot yet be described as edge-of-centre and that the development should be considered speculative as no specific occupier has signed up.
The report also states that the estimate on the number of jobs that would be created is "generous" and that the economic and employment benefits are contrary to planning policies.
Two sites in Sheffield city centre are offered that could house a hotel and states that the proposed 120 room hotel adjacent to the offices is too big to be considered ancillary. It states that "an over supply of hotels may reduce the viability of existing and proposed hotels in the city centre."
The office campus is alongside the larger Waverley Community, described as South Yorkshire's largest ever brownfield development creating a new 4,000 home community across 741 acres, an area bigger than Sheffield city centre.
UK COAL's property arm, Harworth Estates submitted an outline planning application to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in August 2008 for a sustainable, high density, mixed use community, including 3890 houses, community facilities and green areas.
Both outline planning applications for the proposed office campus and the Waverley development are due to be discussed by the planning board of Rotherham Council on January 25.
The developers behind the proposed government campus at Waverley in Rotherham describe the project as "a unique opportunity to relocate to one of the most dynamic regions of the UK." The recently submitted plans for 60,000 square metres of office space will be targeted at Government occupiers and associated business support organisations. Tim Love, development director for Harworth Estates, UK COAL’s property arm, said: "The revised proposals are more consistent with the high quality environment we are looking to achieve at Waverley and provide different functions of Government the opportunity to relocate to a dedicated campus which forms part of a much bigger regeneration project." Mike Slade, chief executive of Helical Bar, commented: "Waverley offers a unique opportunity to relocate to one of the most dynamic regions of the UK. We want to ensure South Yorkshire continues to benefit from Government relocation and believe Waverley has all the ingredients which will attract them and provide a property offer which will enable Government to achieve efficiency savings and locate into highly sustainable, flexible office space." The anticipated work on the Highfield Commercial site could commence next year when a planning decision is also expected on the new community plans submitted in August. Once planning consents have been secured, it is expected the whole development will take around 20 years to complete. Waverley Community website Helical Governetz website Rotherham
Detailed plans have been submitted to RotherhamMetropolitan Borough Council for the proposed 60,000 sq m government office campus at Waverley. Utilising 38 acres of land between the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) and the Waverley Community development, the campus is expected to provide office space for 2,000 employees. Helical Bar plc, Governetz Ltd and Haworth Estates (UK Coal) are working together with the intention to provide high specification offices for government departments in response to the desire to move activities out of central London and into the regions. It will complement the high-tech AMP to create a nationally recognised commercial hub and significant economic regeneration and growth in South Yorkshire. The offices will have extra large floor-plates for efficient space utilisation and a BREEAM rating of excellent. To accompany the offices will be a hotel with up to 120 rooms and supporting retail, restaurant and ancillary features. Development is envisaged to start in 2009 for a completion in 2019. Described as South Yorkshire's largest ever brownfield development creating a new 4,000 home community across 741 acres, the proposals for the Waverley Community were submitted in August.
Helical Governetz, the joint venture behind the proposed government campus at Waverley in Rotherham has published a brochure outlining the scheme to relocating government departments. Helical Bar plc, Governetz Ltd and Haworth Estates (UK Coal) are working together to assist Goverment in relocating to Campus developments where shared facilities improve efficiency and reduce costs and where the new buildings meet all their environmental targets. As part of the massive 300 hectare Waverley development the offices will include office suites and buildings ranging in size with up to 60,000 sq m of floorspace in total. The offices will have extra large floor-plates for efficient space utilisation and a BREEAM rating of excellent. To accompany the offices will be a hotel with up to 120 rooms and supporting retail, restaurant and ancillary features. There will also be 1,174 parking spaces dedicated to office occupiers. A planning application is expected to be submitted in the summer.
Plans to transform a former coke works and mining site at Waverley in Rotherham into a high quality residential and employment site are on show for the public to view. The multi-million pound proposals by UK Coal will be clarified through a series of consultation events over the next four months taking place at Orgreave, Treeton, Tinsley, Handsworth, Catcliffe, Darnall, Woodhouse and Aston, with meetings going through to July. The Waverley Liaison Group, which consists of 15 members representing the local communities, has been established to act as the central coordinator of the public consultation. John Dunshea, head of the planning department at Atisreal's Sheffield office, said: "Public consultation is an integral part of the process of communicating the plans and informing and involving local people in the proposals ahead of the outline planning application submission." Following the Advanced Manufacturing Park and the Highfield Commercial developments, the plans for the residential aspects of Waverley, to include 4,000 homes, will be the third large application for the area. An application for a large office development for government workers at the site is also proposed following a link up with Helical Bar plc. UK Coal website AMP website Rotherham
UK Coal plc, the UK’s biggest producer of coal and the developer of one of Britain’s largest brownfield property estates, and Helical Bar plc announce today a 50/50 joint venture partnership to develop a 660,000 sq ft government office campus at Waverley, Rotherham, on the 300 hectare site of a former coalmine owned by UK Coal. The scheme is estimated to cost some £140 million over a five year development period. The new offices are designed to house government departments being relocated from the South of England and private sector firms that work with them and is part of the larger regeneration scheme for the Waverley site that is expected to create 6,000 jobs.
Rotherham
The government office campus is a result of work by Helical Bar plc, Governetz Ltd and Haworth Estates (UK Coal) with the intention to provide high specification offices for government departments in response to the desire to move activities out of central London and into the regions.
The government office campus is a result of work by Helical Bar plc, Governetz Ltd and Haworth Estates (UK Coal) with the intention to provide high specification offices for government departments in response to the desire to move activities out of central London and into the regions.
Members of Sheffield Council's planning board have been recommended to object to Helical Governetz's application for a proposed 60,000 sq m government office campus at Waverley in Rotherham. 
The developers behind the proposed government campus at Waverley in Rotherham describe the project as "a unique opportunity to relocate to one of the most dynamic regions of the UK." The recently submitted plans for 60,000 square metres of office space will be targeted at Government occupiers and associated business support organisations. Tim Love, development director for Harworth Estates, UK COAL’s property arm, said: "The revised proposals are more consistent with the high quality environment we are looking to achieve at Waverley and provide different functions of Government the opportunity to relocate to a dedicated campus which forms part of a much bigger regeneration project." Mike Slade, chief executive of Helical Bar, commented: "Waverley offers a unique opportunity to relocate to one of the most dynamic regions of the UK. We want to ensure South Yorkshire continues to benefit from Government relocation and believe Waverley has all the ingredients which will attract them and provide a property offer which will enable Government to achieve efficiency savings and locate into highly sustainable, flexible office space." The anticipated work on the Highfield Commercial site could commence next year when a planning decision is also expected on the new community plans submitted in August. Once planning consents have been secured, it is expected the whole development will take around 20 years to complete.
Helical Governetz, the joint venture behind the proposed government campus at Waverley in Rotherham has published a brochure outlining the scheme to relocating government departments. Helical Bar plc, Governetz Ltd and Haworth Estates (UK Coal) are working together to assist Goverment in relocating to Campus developments where shared facilities improve efficiency and reduce costs and where the new buildings meet all their environmental targets. As part of the massive 300 hectare Waverley development the offices will include office suites and buildings ranging in size with up to 60,000 sq m of floorspace in total. The offices will have extra large floor-plates for efficient space utilisation and a BREEAM rating of excellent. To accompany the offices will be a hotel with up to 120 rooms and supporting retail, restaurant and ancillary features. There will also be 1,174 parking spaces dedicated to office occupiers. A planning application is expected to be submitted in the summer.
UK Coal plc, the UK’s biggest producer of coal and the developer of one of Britain’s largest brownfield property estates, and Helical Bar plc announce today a 50/50 joint venture partnership to develop a 660,000 sq ft government office campus at Waverley, Rotherham, on the 300 hectare site of a former coalmine owned by UK Coal. The scheme is estimated to cost some £140 million over a five year development period. The new offices are designed to house government departments being relocated from the South of England and private sector firms that work with them and is part of the larger regeneration scheme for the Waverley site that is expected to create 6,000 jobs.
