News: Demolition work starts at Millmoor as plans approved for remaining stands

The new owners of Millmoor now have planning approval to demolish all of the structures at the historic home of Rotherham United.

Rothbiz revealed in May that the Ron Hull Group planned to demolish parts of Millmoor with plans explaining the poor condition and the "long term lack of a viable user" of the stadium that last hosted league football almost 20 years ago.

A second set of plans regarding the method of demolition were submitted in July.

Now both sets of plans have been approved, and contractors, Demex - part of the Ron Hull Group - have got to work on the stadium that has its origins dating back to 1890.

The applicants say that the priority to demolish is: The incomplete main stand, Tivoli, Admin building, and Tivoli stand first, followed by the terrace, uncovered stand and Part Millmoor Lane stand and lighting columns.

The second set of plans relates to the demolition of the rest of the Millmoor Lane covered stand, the Railway End stand and a maintenance building in the corner of the ground.

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Approving the plans, Rotherham Council has given applicants five years to carry out the demolition.

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

Demex, acquired as part of the deal for CF Booth Ltd, was also the contractor that demolished the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield - the temporary home of The Millers from 2008 to 2012.

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

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

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

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

In the borough's 2018 local plan, the stadium and surrounding area was allocated as a Mixed Use Area. It added: "The area remains appropriate for a mix of uses include business use (excluding offices), housing, residential and non residential institutions and assembly and leisure uses."

Ron Hull website

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News: Work starts on £30m affordable homes development in Rotherham

Great Places and Keepmoat have started work on site for 120 new affordable homes at Midland Road in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported earlier this year that planning permission had been secured for the 3.9 hectare brownfield site at Masbrough.

The development will transform a brownfield site formerly used as a bus depot into a high‑quality new residential neighbourhood, delivering much‑needed homes for social rent and supporting the regeneration of the area.

Great Places is investing £30m to transform the site into a mix of homes designed to meet a range of local housing needs, including four one-bedroom homes, 35 two-bedroom homes, 65 three-bedroom homes and 16 four-bedroom homes. All 120 homes will be available for social rent, offering long-term affordable housing for local people.

The scheme has been designed to create an attractive and welcoming place to live, with communal amenity spaces to support residents and encourage community life.

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Keepmoat is delivering the construction, with funding support from Great Places Homes England’s Strategic Partnership (SP2). The first homes are expected to be handed over in spring 2027.

Nick Gornall, Director of Growth at Great Places, said: "We’re pleased to be working in partnership with Keepmoat to bring forward 120 new affordable homes for social rent at Midland Road. This development will turn a long-vacant brownfield site close to Rotherham town centre into a high-quality new neighbourhood, helping to meet local housing need and supporting wider regeneration in the area. It also reflects our continued commitment to investing in South Yorkshire and creating more affordable homes in places where they are needed most."

Warren Thompson, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat, Yorkshire West, added: "We’re honoured to be partnering with Great Places to create much needed affordable housing options in Rotherham, whilst transforming a former bus depot into a thriving community.

"At Keepmoat, we’re committed to building more than just homes, we’re creating sustainable neighbourhoods and this partnership is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through strategic collaboration."

Great Places website

Keepmoat website

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News: New owners prepare to demolish CF Booth buildings

The new owners of historic Rotherham firm, CF Booth Limited, are sizing up how best to use the 35-acre site it has acquired.

Some demolition is proposed, but no plans have yet been revealed for Millmoor, the home of Rotherham United until 2008.

Administrators announced last month that they have concluded a sale of the company’s business and assets to Hu11 Limited, a subsidiary of Ron Hull Jnr Limited.

The sale of substantially all the assets of eight interconnected companies included Demex and Albion Jones as going concern sales, allowing the demolition business to continue operations.

Taking over the Clarence Works at Armer Street in Masbrough, Ron Hull has moved quickly to take on the fully operational rail siding which has enabled the provider of a range of metal recovery and waste recycling services to offer decommissioned rail stack handling and the sale and loading of scrap metal via rail.

The Ron Hull Group has also been assessing the buildings on the site, with many found to be in a state of disrepair.

The company has engaged with the local planning authority, Rotherham Council, over the method of demolition for buildings on the site.

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The buildings set for demolition in the plans include the prominent main office building fronting Armer Street, and the large industrial buildings to the rear and side.

Further office buildings, factory units, a furnance and a maintenance workshop are also identified for demolition on maps submitted with the applications, allthough the applicants stress that the group is currently unsure exactly which buildings will remain and which will ultimately be demolished as they look to see if factory units and furnaces can be reused within the current business.

The plans explain that the three of the smaller buildings that are proposed to be demolished "are showing signs of a long term lack of repairs and maintenance, and are in poor condition. The buildings also are surplus to the requirements of the current owner's needs and business operations."

Industrial buildings are described as being in a state of disrepair, with the main office building's interior "very closed and unsuitable for modern open office use. The building is showing signs of water damage and general neglect." Other buildings are also showing signs of water damage and are in a state of disrepair.

Once demolished, the areas are set to store metals, which is as the current use of the site.

Ron Hull Group website

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News: Administrator's report highlights £46m debts at stricken Rotherham firm, CF Booth

With the announcement of the sale of historic Rotherham firm, CF Booth Limited’s business and assets to Hu11 Limited, a subsidiary of Ron Hull Jnr Limited, an administrator's report shows how trade creditors are owed over £8m and are unlikely to see any of it.

James Lumb and Howard Smith from Interpath were appointed joint administrators to CF Booth Limited, one of the UK’s leading metal recycling companies, on 16 January 2026 and subsequently appointed Joint Administrators at a further five of the company’s subsidiaries on 20 January 2026.

Subsequently, on March 10, the same joint administrators were appointed to Demex Limited and Albion Jones Limited, also subsidiaries of CF Booth. Immediately following these appointments, the joint administrators completed a sale of substantially all the assets of all eight companies to Hu11 Limited. The transactions for Demex and Albion Jones were going concern sales, allowing the demolition business to continue operations.

In January, 54 members of staff were retained to assist the administrators with 114 members of staff made redundant. The administrators only mentioned that 29 members of staff employed by Demex and Albion Jones have transferred to Hu11 Limited.

On entering administration there were 169 staff, 149 employed by CF Booth Ltd.

A February report from Interpath showed that staff members are preferential creditors and should share £144,022.

One of the group's largest debt is with IGF, which only provided a £20m asset-based lending facility in 2025. The debt totalled £14.2m and administrators expect IGF will be repaid in full.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is listed as a secondary preferential creditor in respect of £1.2m in outstanding VAT, PAYE and National Insurance Contributions with Interpath expecting that they should receive a dividend.

£30.6m is owed to unsecured creditors. Administrators said before the sale that: "Based on present estimates, there may be a return to unsecured creditors. However, this is dependent on the value achieved from the sale of business and assets (which is not yet known), and the final costs of the administration which are also presently uncertain."

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Unsecured creditors in administration are suppliers, customers, or contractors without security for their debt, ranking at the bottom of the repayment priority list.

The unsecured creditors list include £3.5m - Employees, £14.3m - Intercompany creditors and another £2.2m - Other HMRC and HSE Fines & Penalties.

Company trade creditors are listed in a new update and the total owed is £8.2m.

The update also shows that the company had trade debtors owing them £12.8m when it went into administration, and that it owned property with a book value of around £3m that administrators now estimate could be realised at £11.5m. The company's main operation was at a 35-acre site at Armer Street, Masbrough.

Overall, administrators say that there is £17,319,045 as the estimated total assets available for preferential creditors, namely IGF and the HMRC. It goes on to say that when it comes to unsecured creditors, there is a deficit of £14,627,408.

In the unaudited management accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025, CF Booth Ltd recorded turnover of £107.3m and a loss of £5.3m. The company had recorded losses in each of the previous three years.

The February report explains: "Over recent months, the business experienced substantial operational and financial headwinds, including sharp rises in energy costs and pronounced volatility in copper prices. These market pressures materially undermined margins and generated a level of cost volatility that the business was unable to absorb.

"In addition, the company faced escalating cost burdens arising from increases to the National Living Wage and growing environmental compliance obligations. Additional strain was caused by VAT liabilities and penalties imposed by the Health and Safety Executive, all of which compounded the deterioration in cashflow and further weakened the Company's financial resilience."

CF Booth received notice that its appeal against an historical VAT Penalty assessment dating back a decade was unsuccessful resulting in a penalty of £1.4m becoming payable to HMRC. C F Booth Ltd was then fined £1.2m by the HSE after an investigation following the death of an employee on site.

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News: Keepmoat gains approval for Rotherham development

Detailed plans have been approved for 120 houses on the site of a former bus depot in Rotherham.

Prospect Estates Ltd submitted an outline application for new housing on the 3.9 hectare brownfield site at Masbrough in 2023. The plans were approved in February 2024.

Keepmoat, a leading UK home builder, is taking on the redevelopment of the former Midland Road bus depot that was demolished in 2023.

The application applies for the reserved matters of scale, layout, appearance and landscape for the erection of 120 residential dwellings with associated infrastructure and open space.

House types vary across the development and include 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes, with a mix of 2 and 2.5 storey buildings and different types of dwellings: detached, semi detached, short terraces and quarter houses.

No affordable housing is included due to the site being brownfield and the developers able to use Vacant Building Credit where the development is equal in size or smaller than the demolished buildings onsite.

Vehicular access is shown from Midland Road (the main entrance to the previous depot) and a new entrance on Union Street.

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Opposition has previously been submitted by the operators of the nearby gas reciprocating flexible power generating facility (Mercia Power Response), whose legal challenge against the outline approval failed last year.

The reserved matters application was approved at the end of 2025 without going before the coucncil's planning board. The residential re-development of a site allocated for business use was previously approved at the outline stage.

A report stated: "The development layout shows a mix of house types and sizes, including 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses. The earlier indicative apartments have been removed from the application. The latest layout shows a different proposal to that which was shown on earlier indicative layouts and in particular the housing in the far east of the site has been moved approximately 50m away from the Mercia Power facility on the eastern side of Union Street.

"Smaller areas of Public Open Space have been shown around the site. These are shown in three broad areas (in the north south and east of the site) with a total size of approximately 0.85 hectares in total and 0.67 hectares being of a useable quality.

"This is an increase from approximately 0.47 hectares when shown in the western area of the site on an earlier iteration as part of an indicative plan on the outline application."

Whilst the majority of the house types (100 out of the 120 units) comprise 2 and 3 bedroom units, it is considered that this reflects local demand. The remainder are proposed to be 1 and 4 bed units.

The planning permission comes with a number of conditions. Not least, £284,231 from the applicant to be utilised towards additional teaching provision within Fernham Primary School and £500 per dwelling to promot sustainable travel.

Keepmoat website

Images: Keepmoat / JRP

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News: More Booth family companies enter administration

A host of companies connected to the operators of CF Booth Limited, one of the UK’s leading metal recycling companies, have joined the historic Rotherham firm in appointing administrators.

Rothbiz reported first that James Lumb and Howard Smith from Interpath had been appointed following the group posting significant losses and the sad death of a director.

Over 100 staff have already been made redundant and operations at the company’s vast facility, known as the Clarence Metal Works, has ceased whilst the potential of a sale is explored.

Within a week of administrators being appointed at CF Booth Limited on January 16, another five companies had done the same.

The companies are Northfield Aluminium Limited, Booth Transport Limited, C.F. Booth (Engineering) Limited, C.F. Booth (Doncaster) Limited and Booth Steel Stockholders Limited.

The compaies all share Booth family members as directors and all have appointed Interpath.

Demex Limited, the Booth family's demolition company has not appointed administrators.

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An update on CF Booth Limited from the administrators said last month that "the Company had experienced significant trading difficulties over recent months, exacerbated by rising energy and copper prices, as well as increases to the National Living Wage and the impact of environmental legislation, VAT and HSE penalties, and other regulatory pressures, all of which impacted cashflow. In response, the directors took steps to explore the options available, including options for sale and reinvestment; however, with no solvent outcomes available, they took the difficult decision for file a Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators."

As previously reported by Rothbiz, the company's latest financial accounts reported sales of £113.6m for 2024 that were 16.30% lower than the £135.7m achieved in the previous financial year. The company posted a loss of £5.9m.

After the year end C F Booth received notice that its appeal against an historical VAT Penalty assessment was unsuccessful resulting in a penalty of £1.4m becoming payable to HMRC. The company was also fined £1.2m by the HSE after an investigation following the death of an employee on site.

December 2025 saw the death of Ken Booth Jr, who oversaw significant expansion at the family firm alongside his brother James.

Interpath website

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News: Administrators provide update on CF Booth Ltd

The joint administrators to CF Booth Limited, one of the UK’s leading metal recycling companies, has provided an update on the historic Rotherham firm.

Over 100 staff have already been made redundant and operations at the company’s vast facility, known as the Clarence Metal Works, has ceased whilst the potential of a sale is explored.

Rothbiz reported first that James Lumb and Howard Smith from Interpath had been appointed after the group posted significant losses and the sad death of a director.

An update from Interpath states: "The Company had experienced significant trading difficulties over recent months, exacerbated by rising energy and copper prices, as well as increases to the National Living Wage and the impact of environmental legislation, VAT and HSE penalties, and other regulatory pressures, all of which impacted cashflow. In response, the directors took steps to explore the options available, including options for sale and reinvestment; however, with no solvent outcomes available, they took the difficult decision for file a Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators.

"Operations at the Company’s facility at Rotherham has now ceased while the joint administrators explore options for a possible sale of the business. A total of 54 members of staff have been retained to assist the administrators while they undertake this process in tandem with their wider statutory duties. Regrettably, however, a further 114 members of staff have been made redundant. The joint administrators and their team of employment specialists will be providing support to those impacted by redundancy as a matter of priority."

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James Lumb, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “CF Booth has a long and storied heritage in South Yorkshire, not least for its role as one the largest rolling stock recyclers in the country, working with several of the main rail operating companies. However, as one of the largest manufacturers of copper-based products in the UK, the Company has also been hit hard by the tremendous surge in copper prices seen over recent months. This, coupled with broader economic headwinds, placed unsustainable pressure on cashflow.

“While we assess the options available to us, we would ask any parties who may be interested in buying the Company and its assets to make contact with us as soon as possible.”

As previously reported by Rothbiz, the company's latest financial accounts reported sales of £113.6m for 2024 that were 16.30% lower than the £135.7m achieved in the previous financial year. The company posted a loss of £5.9m.

After the year end C F Booth received notice that its appeal against an historical VAT Penalty assessment was unsuccessful resulting in a penalty of £1.4m becoming payable to HMRC. The company was then fined £1.2m by the HSE after an investigation following the death of an employee on site.

The accounts also showed that time was running out for the firm's banking facilities with £18m worth of loan and overdraft facilities falling due for renewal in June 2025 with the loans being repayable on six months' notice in the absence of an agreement to roil forward the facilities.

December 2025 saw the death of Ken Booth Jr, who oversaw significant expansion at the family firm alongside his brother James.

UPDATED 15:55 with correct job figures.

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News: £20m facility boosts growth for CF Booth

Rotherham's CF Booth, one of the UK’s leading metal recycling companies, has received a flexible £20m asset-based lending facility from Independent Growth Finance (IGF) to support its growth ambitions.

Headquartered and founded in Rotherham in the 1920s, CF Booth has grown from a local metal trader into one of the largest independently run metal recycling companies in Europe. With its massive Masbrough site, the business is still family owned and employs over 200 staff and trades both ferrous and non-ferrous metals and processes recycled materials for a wide range of customers across the UK and beyond.

The facility provided by IGF will support the growth ambitions of the business and enable the group to continue investing in operations and performance improvement. Interpath Advisory assisted CF Booth on the deal.





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Christopher Woodcock, financial director at CF Booth, said: “With IGF’s support we have the working capital we need to accelerate our growth and enhance our operational performance. We are extremely positive about the new opportunities this investment will create. It further strengthens our position, allowing us to invest further in our operations, demonstrating our commitment to provide for our customers.”

Richard Spielbichler, ABL Director at IGF in Manchester, commented: “With a proud legacy and a clear strategic direction, CF Booth is well positioned to focus on their future growth and success. This investment will create a step change in the business, allowing them to invest in their operations and increase their capabilities to secure further new contracts.”

CF Booth website

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News: Selective licensing set to be extended across Rotherham

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RMBC website

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News: Plans in for Rotherham brownfield housing development

Detailed plans have been submitted for 120 houses on the site of a former bus depot in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported in 2023 that Prospect Estates Ltd had submitted an outline application for new housing on the 3.9 hectare site at Masbrough in 2023. The plans were approved in February 2024.

Now a detailed application shows that Keepmoat, a leading UK home builder, is taking on the redevelopment of the former Midland Road bus depot that was demolished in 2023.

The application applies for the reserved matters of scale, layout, appearance and landscape for the erection of 120 residential dwellings with associated infrastructure and open space.

House types vary across the development and include 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes, with a mix of 2 and 2.5 storey buildings and different types of dwellings: detached, semi detached, short terraces and quarter houses.

No affordable housing is included due to the site being brownfield and the developers able to use Vacant Building Credit where the development is equal in size or smaller than the demolished buildings onsite.

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A significant sum is expected from the applicant to support local education provision.

Vehicular access is shown from Midland Road (the main entrance to the previous depot) and on Union Street.

Two main areas of play space are shown, one behind the existing doctor's surgery and one on the corner of Kimberworth Road and Devonshire Street. Plans, drawn up by consultants at JRP, say they are located "as a high quality entry point of the site. This vision is driven by a desire to create spaces that are active focal point, not just for the benefit of new residents but the wider community."

A surface water attenuation tank forms part of the flood risk management strategy for the site.

The site was purchased by Prospect Estates, and buildings demolished, for £1,8m. Developer Gleeson had previously agreed terms for the site with planning permission for £3.2m but delays were caused when the applicant was involved in a legal challenge against Rotherham Council regarding the approval of outline planning permission. The challenge ultimately failed.

Across Rotherham, Keepmoat is currently building new homes on a brownfield site to create Moorgate Boulevard.

Keepmoat website

Images: Keepmoat

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News: Why Masbrough was sidelined in Rotherham mainline station search

The proposed location for Rotherham Gateway Station is where the mainline and the line carrying the tram train are closest together. It is the innovative tram train, which already links Parkgate, Rotherham town centre, and Sheffield, that is key, and why, without a tram train link, the closed station at Masbrough most likely missed out.

A masterplan has been completed for Rotherham Gateway Station at Parkgate and includes placemaking around the station and the growth opportunity to capitalise on improved rail connectivity. The site is close to Rotherham town centre, Parkgate and the potential housing development at Bassingthorpe Farm, as well as being the "northern anchor" to the Sheffield - Rotherham economic corridor, and within the South Yorkshire Advanced Manufacturing District and Investment Zone.

Simon Moss, Assistant Director of Planning, Regeneration and Transport at Rotherham Council, updated councillors on the station proposal at a recent meeting. He said: "With the business cases it is really difficult to identify enough benefits - journey time savings, or the number of additional passengers, or wider economic benefits. It is really difficult to make those stack up, even in our biggest urban area, in and around Rotherham town centre, even with that growth. That's why we are really looking at the central area of Rotherham, how it links with the existing infrastructure like the tram train and infrastructure in the wider Sheffield-Rotherham corridor."

The former station at Masbrough, on the edge of Rotherham town centre, closed in 1987 when services on the mainline stopped calling in Rotherham. The potential reopening of the site was also discussed.

Moss said: "There was a significant piece of work that was undertaken at the start, as part of the strategic outline business case, to look at the various options for the siting of the station. Masbrough was one of the options that was looked at. I think, and I can't speak to the decisions around 40 years back, but clearly the tram train changes that context quite significantly compared to back then. The proximity of those pieces of rail infrastructure at Parkgate is making them viable to interact.

"Masbrough is that bit further away from the town centre but without the potential of the convenient connectivity on to the tram train, which is a real asset for the town centre. And Rotherham Central is still going to be an important gateway into the heart of the town centre and Forge Island. That was probably some of the thinking."

For Rotherham Central, which is served by a single track, a connectivity study concluded ten years ago that dualling the Holmes Chord could cost £32m and realigning the main line through Rotherham Central could cost £161.3m.

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Lucy Mitchell, Major Project Officer at Rotherham Council, added: "The decision on the location for the station was something that was taken by Transport for the North [the subregional transport body] when it was part of the Northern Powerhoue Rail programme. They did a really robust piece of work looking at a range of site options, and the benefits and disbenefits of each of those options. We were aware of that work, and on the sort of fringes of it, but it fundamentally wasn't our work, it fed into the strategic outline business case.

"I think, from memory, there is a curved line at Masbrough and it was dismissed for that reason predominantly. I know there are numerous stations that exist on curved lines but for new stations I think that goes against the guidance now for developing a new station so the decision was taken that actually Masbrough wasn't suitable."

It was also discussed that the bridges either side of the Masbrough station site also constrain the ability for longer platforms and impact on any potential electrification of the line.

The Rotherham Rail Connectivity Study of 2015 also stated that Masbrough did not have good accessibility by car, bus, and active modes or would facilitate economic development.

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News: Legal challenge over Rotherham housing scheme

A power response firm has failed in a legal challenge over the approval of planning permission for a housing scheme near to its Rotherham operation.

Amalgamated Smart Metering Ltd, a subsidiary of Mercia Power Response, had taken its cause to the courts, arguing that Rotherham Council had acted unlawfully in granting outline planning approval for 120 residential units on the site of the former Midland Road bus depot.

Mercia claimed that the council had not informed them of the plans and so they could not make representations regarding potential noise conflicts.

Rothbiz reported in 2023 that Prospect Estates Ltd had submitted an application for the demolished site at Masbrough in 2023. The plans were approved in February 2024.

Mercia submitted a judicial review claim on July 17 2024 - outside of the six week time limit for such a claim. It was concerned that the introduction of a large scale housing development so close to its gas reciprocating flexible power generating facility would risk its existing operations and limit the scope for any future development.

Issues were raised regarding how the council alerts potential interested parties through letters, signage and local press notices, and its online planning portal and faulty online map search facility. The noise impact assessment submitted in support of the application was also argued to be deficient.

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At Leeds Combined Court the claimant stated that it had heard rumours and was "very concerned to discover the existence of the planning permission on 11 June 2024." However, the judge, Robert Palmer KC, ruled that it was clear from evidence that the firm had seen a 2023 article from Rothbiz in February 2024 "that could not be more explicit" in setting out that an outline planning application had been submitted.

Palmer said: "It was entirely clear – indeed the article could not have been more explicit – that an outline planning application had been made. Further, the article had provided significant detail as to the basis of the application. Despite all of this, the only reference to the contents ... was that it "referred to the prior approval of the demolition of the Development Site". This is a strikingly incomplete summary of its contents."

The judge was told by Mercia's lawyers that that is all that had been taken from the article at the time. Palmer added: "It is not clear why that should be so. It is difficult to understand why anyone could have been left in any doubt as to the existence of a recent outline planning application, which represented a separate and new application to the demolition application that had been previously approved.

"It therefore appears that the application would have been capable of discovery with minimal effort, had suitable searches been conducted at an earlier stage.

"The Claimant had had a fair opportunity to become aware of the proposed development, and could subsequently have objected to it [in time]."

The legal challenge was dismissed with the judge concluding that "there is no good or sufficient reason to extend time to make up for the claimant's delay."

The summary of the case also shows that Gleeson, the Sheffield-based urban regeneration and strategic land specialist, was poised to buy the site once outline planning permission was approved.

The site was purchased by Prospect Estates, and buildings demolished, for £1,8m. Gleeson had agreed terms for the site with planning permission for £3.2m.

Gleeson focuses solely on building low cost homes and only builds affordable homes. It has completed developments in Kilnhurst and Dalton.

Prospect Estates website
Mercia website

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News: Rotherham family karate club gets kickstart from UKSE

Family and volunteer-run Rotherham Shukokai Karate has its sights set on the WUKF World Championships in Switzerland, with the help of founder and WUKF 2023 World double silver medallist Lynette Whitehouse.

Established in December 2020, the club was founded by Lynette and Sam Whitehouse, Lynette had trained in Shotokan Karate as a child and through her teenage years where she gained her 1st Dan.

Lynette and Sam met in the army, and upon settling back in Rotherham, Lynette wanted to get their children into Karate to help with their confidence along with other values that come with karate, like self-defence, respect, self-discipline, fitness, mental health and making friends to name a few.

Lynette later joined the army reserves and trialled for the army karate team, where she succeeded in gaining six years of competing and training with them at an International and World level.

Earlier this year, the pair applied for a Kickstart grant from UKSE – a local investment company that provides finance of up to £1.5 million to growing businesses and supports start-up ventures – which was used to purchase Tatami (mats) , which are used in competitions to prepare students who wish to compete.

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Commenting on their journey so far, Lynette said: “We are so grateful for the support from our parents along with UKSE to enable us to reach our goals.

“Our intentions are to train and prepare our students who wish to compete for the WUKF World Championships in Switzerland in 2025 by getting on the competition circuit a lot more.

“We hope that the future for RSK is long and bright to enable our students to be the best version of themselves and to keep pushing those comfort zones in order to grow and be better than they were the day before.”

Amber Winfield, Administrator and Receptionist at UKSE, said: “It is great to see the ambition at Rotherham Shukokai Karate, we wish them all the best moving forward and hope to see them compete up to the world championships!”

Rotherham Shukokai Karate website UKSE website

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News: Housing plan for Rotherham bus depot site

The site of a large vacant bus depot in Rotherham could be transformed into a new housing development, new outline plans show.

Rothbiz reported earlier this year that the owners of the former First bus depot on Midland Road had secured approval to be be demolished.

The Masbrough property came into the hands of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) as the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), which is responsible for the co-ordination of public transport in South Yorkshire, has been integrated into the MCA.

The MCA's board agreed to sell off the 212,000 sq ft warehouse last year.

Prospect Estates Ltd, a UK focused real estate investment management company, has now submitted an outline application for 120 residential units on the 3.85 hectare site.

Plans show that there will be two points of access formed from Midland Road and Union Street to serve the development.

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Given the site is allocated for employement use, the applicants will need to show that the principle of using the site for housing is sound.

The plans, drawn up by Roger Lee Planning Ltd, state: "The application is submitted in outline with just the access sought for approval at this stage. All other matters are reserved although the indicative site layout shows a layout that would accommodate 120 residential units with a range of house and apartment types.

"Looking at the issue of sustainability in physical terms the site is on a main public transport route on Midland Road and local services and shops can be found in the immediate local area and there are good and regular access links into the town centre.

"This is a site therefore that is in a sustainable urban area with good access to local services, employment opportunities, and public transport. As a result the proposal accords with the principal objectives of the NPPF and Core Strategy in relation to sustainable development."

A report from commercial property agents submitted along with the plans shows that the site is no longer viable for business use. It has been marketed since January 2019 and no formal offers have come in to continue the use of the site for employment.

The site consists of aged office accommodation and bus sheds and was constructed over 40 years ago. In 2016, First annouced that its operations in Rotherham would close. It was used as a COVID-19 test centre during the global pandemic but ongoing vandalism issues, and the capital investment required, deterred any potential occupiers.

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News: Rotherham bus depot demolition

A large vacant bus depot in Rotherham can be demolished under recently approved plans.

Rothbiz reported in 2016 that First Group was vacating the Midland Road site, relocating employees to Sheffield and Doncaster.

The Masbrough property came into the hands of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) as the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), which is responsible for the co-ordination of public transport in South Yorkshire, has been integrated into the MCA.

The MCA's board agreed to sell off the 212,000 sq ft warehouse last year.

The site consists of aged office accommodation and bus sheds and was constructed over 40 years ago. Following bus de-regulation the site was leased to a number of private operators, generating a financial return that was re-invested into transport activity. It was also used as a COVID-19 test centre during the global pandemic.

Sitting empty, it cost the MCA £160,000 a year in rates and security.

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At the time, the MCA agreed to dispose of the site in the most efficient means possible, which could also include clearing the existing site to enable a more efficient sale.

This month, a planning application to determine whether prior approval is required of the method of demolition and restoration of the site has been granted by Rotherham Council. It comes with a number of conditions regarding demolition and remediation works such as the need to approve methods and means of disposal both on site and off site of the debris. Details over the timescales for restoration after the demolition also need checking by planners.

The planning application is from Prospect Estates Ltd, a UK focused real estate investment management company, that has been advertising the property as being for sale.

The Leeds based firm has previously had success with commercial property in Eastwood, Rotherham.

Prospect Estates website

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News: Rotherham pizza shop fined for rat infestation

A rat-infested Rotherham take-away, which was ordered to close temporarily following a surprise inspection by Council Environmental Health officers, has been ordered to pay a total of £1,325.

Presto Pizza in Masbrough Street was closed last October after Rotherham Council staff found evidence of rats inside the take-away.

Council officers presented their findings to the District Judge before Sheffield Magistrates Court who agreed with their actions to close the shop immediately, due to the unacceptable hygiene standards.

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A pest controller provided structural pest proofing and treatment works at Presto Pizza following the closure. A follow-up visit by Council Environmental Health officers found that the rat infestation had been cleared and extensive deep cleaning and sanitisation had taken place. As a result, the takeaway was allowed to reopen on 12th October 2021.

Appearing at court last month, Managing Director Rezaul Haque pleaded guilty to three food hygiene offences and was fined £840 and ordered to pay £400 as a contribution to costs. Magistrates also ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £85.

Councillor Dominic Beck said: “Food business operators have a legal duty to comply with the required hygiene standards and we do not tolerate those who flout the law. Where public health is at risk Council Environmental Health officers will always take the necessary enforcement action to protect people.”

Sam Barstow, Acting Assistant Director of Community Safety and Street Scene, said: “Sadly there are still business owners who do not keep to the standards needed to make sure the food they sell is safe to eat. My colleagues work tirelessly to keep us all safe from potential harm and bring these cases to court.”

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News: Council assesses further sanctions for Rotherham's rogue landlords

Rotherham Council is considering the use of Banning Orders to crack down on rogue private landlords.

The authority already operates a selective licencing policy in a number of areas where a licence fee for each property must be paid for by the landlord or agent and where each licence contains a set of conditions that the landlord must meet.

Through this work and "recent targeted operations" the council's cabinet is now being asked to approve a policy that includes further sanctions to address persistent or serious offences.

If approved, landlords could be banned from renting out residential properties if found guilty of offences including unlawful eviction, overcrowding, using false or misleading information, and fire or gas safety offences.

Banning Orders became law at the end of 2018 and are for a minimum of 12 months. When an order is made, it prevents an individual from letting property, or engaging in agency or property management work related to privately rented property anywhere in the England. Individuals are also prohibited from transferring assets, including to their family and/or associates.

A breach would constitute an offence which could result in imprisonment or a fine.

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A report to cabinet state: "Strategic Housing within Adult Care, Housing and Public Health have noted that the potential to use Banning Orders are a necessary tool to improve the private rented sector and protect tenants. The Service has seen an increase in unregulated and /or unaccredited agents and landlords advertising rented properties through social media, without any appropriate letting background.

"A number of landlords have now, as a result of Selective Licensing, been found to be in breach of relevant legislation.

"This policy will offer the Council the means to take action against landlords and agents who have been convicted of certain offences, and who routinely offer poor housing, often to the poorest and most vulnerable in society."

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

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News: Rotherham bus depot to be sold off

It looks to be the end of the line for a large vacant bus depot in Rotherham which is being sold, five years after it stopped being used by local bus operator, First.

The Midland Road depot came into the hands of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) as the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), which is responsible for the co-ordination of public transport in South Yorkshire, is being integrated into the MCA.

The MCA's board has this week agreed to sell off the 212,000 sq ft warehouse.

The site consists of aged office accommodation and bus sheds and was constructed over 40 years ago. Following bus de-regulation the site was leased to a number of private operators, generating a financial return that was re-invested into transport activity helping to support the levy.

Sitting empty, it now costs the MCA £160,000 a year in rates and security.

Rothbiz reported in 2016 that First Group was vacating the site, relocating employees to Sheffield and Doncaster.

Since it closed in 2017 it has only been used sporadically as a COVID-19 testing site and for police firearms training.

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A report to the MCA said: "The inability to let the site on the open market reflects the scale and specialist nature of much of the design of the asset, but also the poor state of the infrastructure.

"Over time the vacant site has suffered from vandalism and theft and is now in a seriously dilapidated state exposing the MCA to both reputational and liability risk. The site also continues to be a drain on the revenue budget, with the costs of rates, security, and responsive repairs having to be met.

"Following an internal review it has been determined that the MCA has no strategic rationale for retaining the site and as such should seek to mitigate the identified risk and cost by divesting itself of the asset."

The report adds that Rotherham Council has been in discussion with the MCA on the future of the site, "particularly in relation to wider regeneration plans within the town and latterly around the potential uses of the power capacity on the site to support electric vehicle charging."

The MCA has agreed to dispose of the site in the most efficient means possible, which could also include clearing the existing site to enable a more efficient sale.

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News: CityFibre progresses plans for Rotherham

The second phase of rollouts extending CityFibre's Gigabit City programme includes Rotherham and can create full fibre running all the way into the borough's properties.

The leading designer, builder, owner, and operator of fibre optic infrastructure in UK towns and cities provides an alternative to BT Openreach.

Rotherham is one of 12 new regions that join alongside the 12 cities already announced, and form the next phase in CityFibre's £2.5bn investment plan to bring competitive full fibre infrastructure to at least five million homes, more than 20% of the UK market.

CityFibre has commenced network design and is already investing in each location, extending its existing full fibre spine infrastructure serving schools, hospitals and council offices, to reach nearly every home and business.

A planning application has been submitted to convert an empty business unit in Masbrough into a data centre for CityFibre.

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Each Gigabit City design will include enough fibre capacity to serve the bandwidth demands of all market verticals far into the future. The networks, which are designed to be ready for 5G small cell densification, also provide a platform to realise Smart City ambitions.

Greg Mesch, CEO at CityFibre, said: "CityFibre's sole purpose is to deliver the future-proof digital infrastructure the UK deserves. With a new Prime Minister set to increase government's ambitions for the pace of full fibre rollout, we are delighted to welcome another 14 towns and cities to our Gigabit City Club. These Gigabit Cities will not only gain new full fibre networks that will spark their digital transformation, but also unleash the benefits that only competitive infrastructure investment can bring.

"Our rollout to five million homes is gathering momentum. We have now confirmed 26 locations and over two million homes in our programme. We are investing, we are building, and we are connecting customers to networks of the future."

CityFibre website

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News: Builders' merchant opens new Rotherham site

Leading independent builders' merchant, James Burrell, has opened its new site in Rotherham, its tenth location overall.

Rothbiz reported in January that the Gateshead company was preparing a Rotherham branch with a 3,000 sq ft office and trade counter area, displays, a 28,000 sq ft warehouse and onsite vehicles.

Investing some £2m at 1-4 Wortley Road, the Masbrough site that was vacated in 2016 by Esco Corporation, James Burrell has brought 15 jobs to the area.

Cllr. Jenny Andrews, Mayor of Rotherham, and the Mayoress, Jeanette Mallinder, attended an official ribbon cutting ceremony and the official opening day was attended by customers and suppliers such as Stonemarket, Ox and Michelmersh, giving local tradespeople a chance to see the new facilities now on offer and take advantage of the product discounts, supplier deals, free food and giveaways.

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Cllr. Jenny Andrews, said: "I'm really passionate about developments happening in Rotherham, so it is fantastic to see such an established builders' merchant bring their service to the town and I know James Burrell is going to be a fantastic addition to our business community."

Richard Day, regional sales manager at James Burrell, added: "It's a really exciting time for James Burrell with us opening our most southern branch and showcasing our reliable service to the Rotherham and South Yorkshire building trade. It's also great to have the support of the local council and to have Cllr Jenny Andrews carry out the official ribbon cutting.

"It was brilliant to welcome so many customers through the door at our opening day and we look forward to building upon trading relationship. We will be hosting several supplier mornings with exclusive opening deals in the coming months, so keep an eye out on our social media for further information."

James Burrell website

Images: James Burrell

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