News: Rotherham development site brought to market

Keyland Developments has launched to market a site in Rotherham with planning consent in place for 333,000 sq ft of employment space.

Rothbiz reported in 2024 on the sister-company of Yorkshire Water securing outline planning permission for the transformation of a plot of unused land at Aldwarke into a new industrial park, which they say would be big enough to create over 800 new jobs.

Proposals are for B2/B8 industrial and distribution accommodation over 15 units ranging from 4,000 to 75,000 sq ft. The new development has an estimated GVA of £28m.

Close to the site of the proposed new mainline station at Parkgate, the 24.4 acre site opposite to the steelworks on Aldwarke Lane is partially developed and is currently occupied by engineered earth mounds and hard standing areas - previously used for drying sewage sludge. It sits next to the Waste Water Treatment Works and River Don.

Joe Boothman, Land & Development Manager at Keyland Developments, said: "Having secured outline planning consent with our proposals for a scheme that exceeds current policy requirements for biodiversity net gain, we are looking forward to securing a purchaser with an aligning commitment to sustainable development in order to revitalise the land.

"The new development will have a positive economic impact with significant job creation and the ability to support growing local businesses with new space requirements, as well as attracting those looking to relocate and bring new investment into the area."

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Dan Walker, Director at GV & Co, added: "The small to mid-size industrial market in South Yorkshire is presently strong with good demand from occupiers seeking space under 100,000 sq ft. This site with its frontage to Aldwarke Lane and proximity to the motorway network and Rotherham Town Centre presents an excellent opportunity for a new industrial/logistics and warehousing development to capitalise on demand."

The land was opencast until 1983, with underground workings ending in 1957 and was allocated for employment use in Rotherham's local plan.

An indicative proposed masterplan shows units ranging from 4,000 sq ft to 75,000 sq ft and designs show a 30% split for B2 and 70% for B8.

The plans, drawn up by Sheppard Planning and KPP Architects, stated that, when fully operational, the development could generate between 402 jobs and 859 jobs.

The site may be included in the emerging plans for the Don Valley Corridor, which stretches from Sheffield City Centre through the Lower Don Valley to the steelworks site at Aldwarke.

Keyland Developments website

Images: Keyland Developments

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News: Aldwarke employment plans passed

Keyland Developments, the sister-company of Yorkshire Water, has secured outline planning permission for the transformation of a plot of unused land in Rotherham into a new industrial park, which they say would be big enough to create over 800 new jobs.

Rothbiz reported in 2023 on the subsidiary of the Kelda group identifying surplus land at its Sewage Treatment Works at Aldwarke with plans showing how it could accommodate some 330,000 sq ft of commercial buildings.

The 24.4 acre site opposite to the steelworks on Aldwarke Lane is partially developed and is currently occupied by engineered earth mounds and hard standing areas - previously used for drying sewage sludge. It sits next to the Waste Water Treatment Works and River Don.

The land was opencast until 1983, with underground workings ending in 1957 and was allocated for employment use in Rotherham's local plan. Outline proposals are for eight buildings of various sizes that can be subdivided. The use classes would be B2 General industrial and B8 Storage or distribution. An indicative proposed masterplan shows units ranging from 4,000 sq ft to 75,000 sq ft and designs show a 30% split for B2 and 70% for B8.

Plans, drawn up by Sheppard Planning and KPP Architects, state that, when fully operational, the development could generate between 402 jobs and 859 jobs.

Approved without going before the Council's planning board, outline approval comes with a number of conditions.

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The planner's report states that the proposed site access off Aldwarke Lane "has been modelled and it has been demonstrated that the junction will operate well within its design capacity" and adds that the impact on nearby Mushroom roundabout "cannot be classified as severe."

The report also shows that investigations were made into whether a former access, an existing rail underpass off Waddington Lane, could be re-opened to the public, following a request from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA). It was ultimately discounted, mainly due to landowner issues.

Other conditions relate to biodiversity net gain.

Planner conclude: "Overall the Council is of the view that the proposed development has a number of benefits, including economic benefits for Aldwarke and the wider area through job creation which could generate between 402 jobs (B8) and 859 jobs (B2) on an allocated employment site. The proposal is considered to generate between £28m and £59m of GVA annually."

The outline approval comes at the same time as outline plans for land at nearby Parkgate were approved. 434,862 sq ft of new commercial space is proposed on brownfield land next to Parkgate Shopping.

Keyland Developments website

Images: Keyland Developments

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News: Transformed sewage site could be home to hundreds of new jobs in Rotherham

Keyland Developments, the sister-company of Yorkshire Water, is hoping to transform a plot of unused land in Rotherham into a new industrial park, which they say would be big enough to create over 800 new jobs.

The subsidiary of the Kelda group has identified surplus land at its Sewage Treatment Works at Aldwarke and has submitted a planning application showing how it could accommodate some 330,000 sq ft of commercial buildings.

On the opposite side to the steelworks on Aldwarke Lane, the 24.4 acre site is partially developed and is currently occupied by engineered earth mounds and hard standing areas - previously used for drying sewage sludge. It sits next to the Waste Water Treatment Works and River Don, and the commercial units developed by Waddingtons.

The land was opencast until 1983, with underground workings ending in 1957 and was allocated for employment use in Rotherham's local plan. Outline proposals are for eight buildings of various sizes that can be subdivided. The use classes would be B2 General industrial and B8 Storage or distribution. An indicative proposed masterplan shows units ranging from 4,000 sq ft to 75,000 sq ft and designs show a 30% split for B2 and 70% for B8.

Plans, drawn up by Sheppard Planning and KPP Architects, state that, when fully operational, the development could generate between 402 jobs and 859 jobs.

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One of the main issues will be access, with a new junction proposed onto Aldwarke Lane. The subject of consideration at pre-application stage, the proposal is for a new priority-controlled T-junction with ghost island right facility. This does not fully accord with all aspects of guidance - in particular the spacing of existing junctions and the length of the right turn lane, but applicants say that it is agreed to be an appropriate and safe solution.

The site is within Flood Zone 2 in planning terms and plans also include attenuation ponds and other methods to address drainage and flooding. A 15 metre buffer around existing lagoons is included for ecological reasons and the odour from the adjacent Waste Water Treatment Works was also assessed and considered to be "not significant."

Planning documents state: "The development opportunity at Aldwarke is both sustainable and deliverable. The delivery of employment on this allocated site will produce a range of employment opportunities and workforce skills. In turn the development will have a positive impact on the local services and amenities, supplementing the residential and retail uses nearby with employment, to deliver a sustainable environment.

"The application site has low ecological value, however the proximity of the site to the lagoons, and introduction of attenuation dry basins provide an excellent opportunity for biodiversity enhancement. Generous peripheral landscaping buffer and green buffers between buildings will extend wildlife corridors and habitat network throughout the site.

"To conclude the economic, social and environmental net gain for the allocated employment site in Aldwarke provides an opportunity to deliver a much needed and highly sustainable development that will complement and expand the scope of employment within the area."

Images: Keyland / KPP

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