News: Council refines Rotherham shop front grant scheme

Priority areas across the borough have been the target in the latest round of shop front grants from Rotherham Council.

46 businesses successfully secured funding to make improvements to the premises through the initial scheme.

£270,000 was utilised from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and a decision was made in December 2025 to allocate a further £117,643 to the project from the same pot to meet demand.

The scheme has been given a further funding boost. Rothbiz reported in May that £666,655 (£110,000 revenue and £556,655 capital) had been set aside for Shop Unit Grants from the council's Local Growth Fund allocation.

The latest round of funding has two aspects to enhance the exterior of business premises in eligible High Street locations - one for existing businesses and one to help bring empty units back into use.

Existing businesses have been applying for up to £10,000 for their projects, with them funding anything above this level. This can be for things like exterior re-painting, new windows, doors and shop frontage, improved access and new signage.

A council report explained that "some funding is available to bring empty units back into use, with funding available to support projects up to £20,000. The first £10,000 of the project is 100% funded. Anything up to £20,000 after that is 50% match funded, meaning there is a maximum grant of £15,000 available.

"The Scheme will seek to revitalise local high streets across the borough, through bringing empty units back into use and improving the exteriors of existing buildings. Funding to the internal fabric of building can also be supported in certain cases."

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Priority sites are: Rotherham town centre; Parkgate / Rawmarsh (From the bottom of Rawmarsh Hill and not the retail parks); Dinnington; Maltby; Swinton; Thurcroft; Wath; and Dalton.

Rotherham Council said that applications outside of these areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis but priority will be given the areas.

Empty Shops will have priority, then external works, then internal works to the fabric of the building.

Businesses within eligible locations were previously able to apply for up to £25,000 in grant funding to improve the exterior location of their properties.

A council report on the first year of the scheme states: "Over the course of the scheme, 46 businesses successfully secured funding to make improvements to the premises. Improvements included complete paint refresh of exterior of premises, new windows and shop frontages, improved accessibility for premises, new signage, new lighting to improve visibility, especially at night, new awning, new doors, new carpets internally and some internal refreshment.

"All works were carried out by legitimate local suppliers, who worked with the clients to supply quotes, carry out the work and then invoice for payment to be made.

"Feedback from clients that have undertaken the process has been positive with many stating that the projects would not have been undertaken without the grant funding.

"Not only has the exterior work made the premises look better, new doors, windows and shop frontages have helped to make premises warmer and more economical. Businesses that have carried out internal remodelling have reported that it has made them more attractive to customers."

Prestige Printers in Swinton received a grant in the first wave. They said: “We now look like a modern up to date business, a more inviting and aesthetically pleasing place to enter. We believe our customers both new and old will be with us long into the future. An updated business on the High Street, whereas before we had an outdated, uninviting frontage which gave the impression of us not caring about the business or our customers which was simply not true. We are now ready for the modern age and are very pleased with the finished result."

In addition to the grants, Rotherham Council is recruiting three new High Street Business Advisers, who will work directly with traders in Rotherham town centre and the borough’s principal town centres.

Images: Commercial Property Rotherham

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News: Board approves housing plans for safeguarded Rotherham greenbelt site

Rotherham Council has approved plans for 228 new houses on farming land.

It is one of the first instances of "safeguarded land" being approved for development rather than land specifically allocated for residential use in the borough's local plan.

A number of applications have been submitted for safeguarded land across the borough. The 2018 local plan set out that they may be needed in the future and taken out of the greenbelt after the end of the plan period in 2028.

Planning consultants are hoping to convince the local planning authority that the land should be used now to address the borough's housing needs. The council agrees in policy terms, admitting that it is no longer able to demonstrate a Five-Year Land Supply given the changes at a national level that have increased housing targets. The target for new house building per annum in Rotherham has increased from circa 560 dpa (Dwellings Per Annum) to 1,111 dpa.

This means that the council will need to support windfall planning applications on land allocated or designated for other uses within urban areas.

The most recently approved plans are for 12.12 hectares of land currently in agricultural use located to the north of Rawmarsh, off Priestley Avenue.

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Led by Taylor Wimpey, 228 houses are sought to be delivered in conjunction with Vico Homes (previously Wakefield District Housing), a Registered Provider. The development proposes a range of dwelling types and sizes, from two to two and a half storey scale in height and a mix of 2 bed (25%) 3 bed (70%) and 4 bed (5%) properties.

The main access to the proposed development will be via an extension of the existing stub off Priestley Avenue between properties 71 and 73.

44 representations were received, raising concerns regarding the use of the land, access and local infrastructure.

The plans were approved unanimously by the planning board at Rotherham Council and come with a number of conditions.

A Section 106 agreement (a mechanism which makes a development proposal acceptable in planning terms, that would not otherwise be acceptable) includes financial contributions for things like Primary School places, greenspaces, bus stops and traffic measures. For example work between the developer and council will address the junction of the A633 and Haugh Road.

The whole scheme is scheduled to be developed in conjunction with Vico Homes who are a Registered Social Landlord. However, a policy compliant scheme with formally allocated Affordable Housing is being proposed.

Vico argued that rigidly sticking to the policy was not viable in the current market and asked for a reduced proportion of 4- bedroom homes, with increased provision of 2- and 3- bedroom family housing, and a higher proportion of rented tenure in place of intermediate tenures, reflecting affordability barriers in the current mortgage market.

Vico and Taylor Wimpey worked together on the £28m housing development at nearby Kilnhurst Road which includes 135 homes, available for a mix of affordable rent, rent to buy and shared ownership. "St Mary's Field" was backed by grant funding from Homes England, the Government’s housing and regeneration agency.

Vico Homes website
Taylor Wimpey website

Images: Taylor Wimpey / Google Maps

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News: Cricket club on the front foot with padel court plans

It could be a whole new ball game at a Rotherham cricket club, if plans are approved for new padel courts.

Padel is a form of tennis that originated in Mexico in 1969, grew across South America before making it to Spain. The sport is now rapidly expanding across Europe.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) says that since 2020 the number of padel courts in Britain grew from 50 to over 800, while annual participation rose from 15,000 in 2019 to 400,000 players in 2025.

With plans progressing for new padel facilities in Hellaby and Kimberworth, Upper Haugh Cricket Club is looking to get into the game with plans for four new courts at its site off Wentworth Road, near Rawmarsh.

As well as fielding men's, women's and junior teams, the community club, which dates back to 1855, hosts cricket programmes and summer camps, other sports sessions and community / charity events and celebrations.

The plans show how four new padel courts and a new two lane fully enclosed cricket net facility would replace the existing cricket nets which are over 20 years old and considered to be no longer fit for purpose.

The proposals also include assessments covering issues such as noise, lighting, biodiversity and traffic.

The hours of operation are expected to be between 8am and 9pm and the noise impact assessment recommends the installation of an acoustic barrier.

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The plans state: "The club has been able to draw in private investment to develop the padel courts and nets - with additional grant support (for the nets only) being progressed with Yorkshire Cricket Board. In addition to providing funding the individual investors also bring experience of developing padel courts in partnership with cricket clubs – being closely associated with the consortium which has developed the padel courts at Shaw Lane (Barnsley Cricket Club).

"This development could represent a huge step forward for the club. There are seen to be some real synergies between the sports of padel and cricket and also between the proposed development and the long-term development of the club.

"With cricket being a summer-only game club revenue is currently season dependent. Padel will provide a new footfall for the club and open-up an all year round source of income. It is also anticipated that by introducing padel players to the club this might also improve engagement numbers in cricket (and vice versa) and create a new, larger and more diverse club membership. This is crucial to the ongoing viability of the club."

Support has already been received from the LTA who said that: "The proposed new Padel courts at Upper Haugh CC will, alongside the cricket and social facilities create a sporting hub for local people, and this will provide a facility where the local community can come together socially and keep physically active."

A drop in session on the plans is being held at the club on Thursday January 29.

Upper Haugh Cricket Club website

Images: LTA / Upper Haugh Cricket Club

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News: Where next for Lidl in Rotherham?

Having failed to secure planning permission for a new store in Swallownest and made little progress in Maltby, where else in Rotherham is the discount retailer targeting?

Lidl GB recently announced plans to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion, as the discounter moves forward with plans to open more than 40 new stores across the country this financial year.

Rothbiz reported in 2023 that the German global discount chain had withdrawn updated plans for a new 20,000 sq ft store on a site at Rotherham Road, Swallownest. Earlier plans were refused by Rotherham Council with members saying that it would have a detrimental impact on the Swallownest district centre.

In 2022 Lidl secured planning permission for a new store on the site of a former fire station and library in Maltby but a store is yet to open.

As part of its continued mission to provide all communities across the country with access to affordable, high-quality food, Lidl has published its 2025 site requirements brochure, outlining hundreds of potential locations for new stores – including high streets, retail parks, and mixed-use town centre sites.

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The updated list features a number of locations in Rotherham.

Locations for new stores include Rawmarsh and Wickersley / Bramley.

The retailer has also confirmed that it would like to relocate away from its current store on Masbrough Street on the edge of Rotherham town centre.

The list doesn't include Parkgate where planning permission has been secured for a 20,000 sq ft unit at the retail park suitable for a national food retailer.

Richard Taylor, Chief Real Estate Officer at Lidl GB, said: “This level of investment is a clear sign of our ambition. As we enter our fourth decade in Great Britain and hurtle towards a thousand stores, there are still so many parts of the country crying out for convenient access to a Lidl store. That’s why we welcome the measures proposed in the Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill – they recognise the urgent need to remove barriers to development and support the kind of growth we at Lidl are working towards.

“Our latest site requirements brochure reinforces the scale of our ambition for the future. New Lidl stores mean new jobs, new opportunities for British suppliers, and continued investment into local economies. We’re proud to be one of the fastest-growing supermarkets in the country, and with this investment, we’re taking another big step in our journey.”

Lidl website

Images: Lidl GB

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News: Housebuilder submits plans for development on safeguarded Rotherham greenbelt site

Land taken out of the greenbelt in Rotherham could be home to 231 houses, if plans submitted to Rotherham Council by a national housebuilder are approved.

The plans from Taylor Wimpey represent the use of "safeguarded land" rather than land specifically allocated for residential use in the borough's local plan.

The plans are for 12.12 hectares of land currently in agricultural use located to the north of Rawmarsh, off Priestley Avenue.

The application proposes 231 dwellings with a range of two, three and four bedroom homes, all of which are designated as affordable housing. Taylor Wimpey says that this mix supports various needs, from young professionals to families and those looking to downsize.

The application states: "The site is identified as Safeguarded land SL1. This means land that is set aside for development in case it is needed for development. Given the current housing shortage and the fact that the site is available and achievable now, it is considered to be an appropriate site to come forward in the short term for new homes."

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Bounded by existing residential properties to the south, the land is close to Warren Vale Community Woodland and Sandhill Park. Historically, the site was agricultural land until the western half was covered with ‘colliery spoil’ associated with adjacent colliery land. Rawmarsh Colliery and Victoria Colliery were located nearby.

When the land was taken out of the greenbelt the policy document stated that: "Further investigation and assessment will be required to determine suitable highways, cycle and pedestrian access. The site is adjacent to a landfill site and further investigation and potential mitigation measures will be required to address likely contamination and methane gas issues."

Connected land to the west, close to Warren Vale, will not be used as part of the housing development due to the potential for significant contamination relating to the presence of colliery spoil.

Access to the development is proposed to be taken from Priestley Avenue between number 71 and 73. Areas of public open space are shown to the northeast corner where a SuDS drainage is provided and in the southwest of the site where a play area is proposed.

Taylor Wimpey is hoping to bring forward the houses in conjunction with Wakefield District Housing (WDH), a registered provider of affordable housing. It echoes the £28m scheme the developer and provider are working on off Kilnhurst Road to provide 135 homes, available for a mix of affordable rent, rent to buy and shared ownership, managed by WDH. Taylor Wimpey had faced viability issues before teaming up with WDH who could access funding via Homes England.

Taylor Wimpey website

Images: Taylor Wimpey / Google Maps

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News: More micropubs in Rotherham

Rotherham's thirst for micropubs continues with new openings and plans being put forward for new venues and expansion.

At the end of 2024, a new bar / bistro opened in a parade of units in the heart of Ravenfield.

The Longbar's licensee has previously held licences for the Yellow Lion in Greasbrough and the Effingham Arms in Rotherham town centre.

The venue was designed to be a café/coffee shop and deli during the daytime and a small wine bar in the evening, with seating for 38 persons and is described as "a venue that local clientele can walk to and enjoy food and drink in a “high end establishment”".

In securing the alcohol licence, David Marshall explained: "During the day the premises will operate as a café, providing a warm and friendly environment for local people to get together and enjoy a coffee or a bite of lunch. The plan for the evening operation is to create a small, sophisticated bistro, a place where people will want to dress up to visit and enjoy a classy upmarket environment."

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At Brecks, planning is underway for a new venture aiming to create a vibrant local venue for quality coffee, craft ales, and social interaction.

A planning application has been submitted that would enable "Barrel & Bean" to take over an empty unit on Wickersley Road.

If approved, the change of use plans involve converting a vacant dental training centre into a combined coffee shop and craft ale bar.

The applicant, Anthony Marples, explains: "The idea for Barrel & Bean originated in 2024 during a golfing trip among eight friends who envisioned a local craft ale bar providing quality cask and keg ales in a relaxed setting. This vision expanded to include high-quality coffee, teas, and cakes, leading to the name "Barrel & Bean."

"Seeking an ideal location, the group identified the vacant premises at 263 Wickersley Road, Brecks, which had remained unused for some time. Given the limited coffee shop and bar options in the area, this location presents an opportunity to create a vibrant social hub without necessitating extensive travel."

Plans have also been submitted that would enable The Rawmarsh Tap to relocate over the road from its current premises.

A change of use application is in for a former beauty salon on Kilnhurst Road.

Applicant, Clair Meigh, explained the issues with the current premises: "Having recently submitted a pre-planning application it has become apparent that my business does not hold the correct permissions unbeknown to me on purchase. I served 23 years in the Royal Air Force and I am Security Industry Authority (SIA) qualified, therefore I pride myself on honesty and integrity, and would like the opportunity to rectify this and prove that my little business causes no harm/disturbance to my neighbours.

"My customer base is aged 40+, who enjoy the low level, calm environment that my business provides, rather than the loud "Tap room" environment associated with local public houses. I do not anticipate this to change. I have carried out a customer survey and all my customers are in support of the move."

Longbar facebook page
Rawmarsh Tap facebook page

Images: Longbar / Rawmarsh Tap / facebook

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News: New electric buses having to return to depot on Rotherham routes

Further delays to a new charging system at Rotherham bus station has led to an inefficient schedule where new electric buses have to return to the depot to charge up.

Rothbiz revealed first that a multimillion pound transport project to introduce state-of-the-art electric buses on to South Yorkshire's roads had got off to a spluttering start with a diesel generator being used last year to charge up their batteries in Rotherham.

The installation of pantograph chargers at Rotherham Interchange, which underwent a £12m refurb five years ago, has still not taken place.

£61,950 is now having to be found to cover the costs incurred by bus operators caused by the delays.

Government funding was secured by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) for the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme and the first fleet of 23 zero emission electric buses arrived in the region at the start of 2024.

The brand-new electric Yutong buses have since introduced on the region’s bus network, featuring on the 22x and 221 routes which connect the Dearne Valley across Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster.

The bid included 23 x 150kW depot chargers for Stagecoach's Rawmarsh depot purchased by Stagecoach and 2 x 300kW opportunity charging units for routes located at Rotherham Interchange to be owned and purchased by SYMCA.

Partners have previously expressed frustration with delays at Northern Powergrid in upgrading the substation at Rotherham Interchange and now Stagecoach are set to receive funding from SYMCA.

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An update states: "SYMCA has been working with Arup, Swarco and Northern PowerGrid to deliver the pantograph charging infrastructure at RTI [Rotherham Interchange]. Unfortunately, delays to the implementation of a new substation at the interchange has meant that the pantographs are not yet in operation, and they are unlikely to be in operation until the end of this financial year (current forecast).

"Rather than reduce service levels and provide a poorer service for customers, including reputational risk for SYMCA, Stagecoach have implemented an inefficient vehicle schedule to allow charging at the depot.

"Stagecoach have provided details that without the pantograph chargers a number of buses have to be returned to depot. This requires additional staff time as a direct result of the delays to the SYMCA project."

SYMCA's Executive Director of Transport has approved the extra £61,950.

For the project overall, DfT contributed £8,351,721 and SYMCA contributed £2,683,051 of their City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) provided by Government. Stagecoach is contributing around £4m.

Images: eVolt

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News: Work starts as Rotherham leads charge for electric buses

Work has started at a depot in Rotherham to bring the first fleet of zero emission electric buses to South Yorkshire as part of a partnership between Stagecoach and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).

Electrification work has begun at the Rawmarsh depot ahead of the arrival of the first fleet of 23 zero emission electric buses to arrive in the region.

The brand-new electric Yutong buses will be introduced on the region’s bus network in the spring and will feature on the 22x and 221 routes which connect the Dearne Valley across Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster.

The project is part of South Yorkshire’s first successful bid for Zero Emission Bus Regional Area funding (ZEBRA) from the Department for Transport (DfT) in partnership with South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and Stagecoach.

DfT contributed £8,351,721 as part of our winning ZEBRA bid and SYMCA also contributed £2,683,051 of their City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) provided by Government.

The infrastructure needed to charge and maintain the electric buses also reflects a major £2.5m investment in the Rawmarsh depot.

The contractor, EO, will install the 23 output chargers as well as two mobile workshop chargers at the depot which will facilitate the running of the zero-emission fleet.

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South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “We think around 200,000 people in South Yorkshire live in areas vulnerable to air pollution, and 1 in 20 deaths here are related to poor air quality. That’s a challenge we simply have to address, and why we need to get cleaner, greener vehicles of all sorts on our roads.

“To meet that goal we’ve funded electric bus projects that are underway across the region as part of the Zebra1 project and we also have a second bid for ‘Zebra 2’ funding submitted to the Department for Transport with Stagecoach and First.

“Not only will they help improve public transport in South Yorkshire, they’ll make a real contribution to us hitting our net zero goals, and making South Yorkshire’s air cleaner. “

Stagecoach Yorkshire Managing Director Matt Kitchin, added: "This marks a huge step towards the future of sustainable travel in South Yorkshire as we await the arrival of the new buses.

“Sustainable forms of public transport are key to reducing congestion and improving air quality across the region and we look forward to these state-of-the-art vehicles encouraging more people to make the switch to bus travel as well as making local air cleaner for all our futures."

The buses will feature a bespoke livery and will be fitted with full electric air conditioning and a bespoke premium passenger saloon for enhanced passenger comfort.

A total of 27 electric buses will be rolled out across South Yorkshire as part of the first stage of ZEBRA.

Images: SYMCA

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News: Rotherham's thirst for micropubs continues

New microbars and micropubs have opened in Rotherham, others are planning to expand, and the borough's newest brewery has produced its first beers.

Starting with the likes of the Wath Tap, Something Brew Inn and the Dragon's Tap, the number of smaller locations for alcoholic refreshment continues to grow, just as larger PubCo pubs continue to close - a trend seen across the country.

At Parkgate, The Little Haven is hoping to move to larger premises, five years after opening in a former Post Office on Broad Street. A new premises licence application has been made by the operators of the bar that serves locally sourced real ale, craft beer and ciders, for a vacant unit just over the road.

19 Broad Street was a former angling centre and the licence would allow for live music and the sale of alcohol and late night refreshment.

A change of use planning application for the property has also been submitted. The applicants explain: "Our business has being respectfully run by myself and my partner for five and a half years now but unfortunately the building where we are is in need of a lot of internal and external repairs and the landlord is not willing to fix these issues to the standard that is needed. In the long term its not viable to run my business from here so my proposal is that I would like to move premises.

"We have chosen this location as we know the landlord has done a lot of internal and external work which means I know our business would be safe for another ten to fifteen years its also got more room for my customers to move during jam nights etc."

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On nearby Kilnhurst Road, the Rawmarsh Tap, has opened with a focus on food and cocktails, similar to connected business, The Timberyard in Wath.

At Bramley, The Yellow Broom (pictured) has opened this month, taking on a former bridal boutique in the AEON Court development that ironically replaced the Master Brewer pub.

Operated by three friends, the new microbar has two cask and seven keg lines offering independently sourced craft beers along with craft beers from more well established breweries.

At East Herringthorpe, a planning application has been submitted that would enable the change of use of a former fish & chip shop into a microbar on Laudsdale Road, next door to the closed sports and social club.

In Dinnington, it has been a few years in the making but microbrewery, Ticking Clock Brew Co., is making up for lost time with the launch of new and special edition beers.

Launched by Ben Womersley and Jamie Berry, friends with a shared desire to provide great flavoursome beer, Ticking Clock launched its first beer, Swamp Thing, earlier this year. This has been quickly followed by the likes of Night Moves IPA, Ceremony Session IPA, Punch The Clock (a fruity sour) and a Citra IPA called Every Second Counts.

Led by Doncaster's Draughtsman Alehouse, the microbrewery has already managed to get its beers in a number of micropubs.

Little Haven website
Rawmarsh Tap Facebook page
Yellow Broom website
Ticking Clock Brew Co. website

Images: Yellow Broom / Facebook

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News: Enterprising friends band together to return Rotherham pub back to its former glory

The Earl Grey, in Rawmarsh, Rotherham, has opened its doors once again to the public after being purchased by a group of friends looking to make a better pub for the local community by offering live music and events.

After opening its doors once again in June 2023, The Earl Grey has already seen success with its function room, as well as its traditional pub.

The landmark building had always been of interest to Matthew Fletcher, who had previously worked in the pub trade. Already possessing an alcohol licence, he felt it was a natural next step to manage his own premises, with the support of friends within the community.

The Earl Grey now offers a range of events and live music, aiming to be a pub geared towards the local community, as well as visitors from further afield who are looking to enjoy a night out.

Matthew has made various additions, including introducing a new Atlantic beer, along with Spanish beer, Cruzcamp. He also plans to offer real ale, which will change regularly, and bring in food, to be developed over the coming weeks.

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Further developments include hosting a pool team, along with various other community events.

Matthew 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 helped with advertising costs for events.

Reflecting on the venture, Matthew said: “We are still in the beginning stages of our journey at The Ear Grey but the support we have received so far has been amazing.

“The grant from UKSE allowed us to reach further audiences for our event and let the community know The Earl Grey was back with plenty of events, that support has helped us get off the ground and we are truly thankful.”

Steve Lyon, Area Manager at UKSE, said: “It is great to see The Earl Grey open its doors once again, and the success Matthew and the team have already found, we wish them all the best for the future.”

UKSE website

Images: UKSE

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News: Taylor Wimpey submits plans for new Rotherham development

Taylor Wimpey PLC has submitted a detailed application for a 135 house development in Rotherham.

The national housebuilder wants to build the dwellings on land to the north of Kilnhurst Road, Rawmarsh, opposite Rawmarsh Sandhill Primary School.

A mix of house types is proposed - 26 2-bedroom units, 92 3-bedroom units, and 17 4-bedroom units.

Currently agricultural land, the principle of residential development has been deemed acceptable as the site is a housing allocation in Rotherham's adopted Local Plan.

Consultants, DLP Planning talk of a "visually attractive street scene that is welcoming to residents" created by architects on the scheme, Sten Architecture, and proposed shared spaces and a public open space area that will encourage social interaction.

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The plans state: "The development proposal - the design and layout of which is informed by a number of factors including the existing context of the surrounding area - comprises of 135 residential dwellings that will be of high architectural quality and design, and that will be constructed from quality building materials. These factors, combined with the proposed landscaping scheme and the mixture of house types and sizes throughout the site, will create a visually interesting and attractive street scene. Also, the proposed dwellings will provide comfortable living and amenity conditions for future residents, whilst ensuring that neighbouring amenity is not unacceptably impacted."

A single vehicular access point is proposed to serve the development from Kilnhurst Road and the submitted Transport Assessment concludes that the level of traffic generated by the proposals can be accommodated and will have no material impact on the safe operation of the local highway and will not significantly add to any congestion at the peak times on the local network.

The public open space is proposed to the north of the development with footpath links to provide access to the existing Public Right of Way to the north. A drainage basin is also proposed which will provide multifunctional benefits alongside facilitating surface water drainage, including the creation of biodiversity gains through planting.

Planning poilices in Rotherham state that the Council will seek 25% affordable homes on sites of 15 dwellings or more, subject to this being consistent with the economic viability of the development. Taylor Wimpey say that it is unviable for them to provide affordable housing as part of the proposed scheme.

Last year, Taylor Wimpey raised £500m through a share placing to allow it to pursue additional near term land acquisition opportunities.

Taylor Wimpey website

Images: Taylor Wimpey / Sten

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News: Rotherham to push ahead with Clean Air Zone projects

Schemes designed to reduce pollution in Rotherham are being fast-tracked.

Rothbiz reported in 2017 that Rotherham (alongside Sheffield and Doncaster) was one of 38 English local authorities with one or more roads forecast persistently to exceed NO2 legal limits based on initial modelling. The local authorities were charged with coming up with local plans for reducing air pollution or risk the Government imposing schemes to charge users of congested roads like the Parkway.

Rotherham and Sheffield Council have been working together on coming up with measures to deliver air quality improvements as quickly as possible. The Sheffield authority said last year that further reviews of its proposed measures were required as the coronavirus pandemic has created a current situation that is "dramatically different" to the one in which the proposals were originally developed.

Rotherham is progressing its schemes after a letter of assurance was sought from the Joint Air Quality Unit, and is seeking to progress on schemes approved by Rotherham in the Outline Business Case submitted in December 2018 and consulted on in 2019. The Full Business Case is tied to a broader Clean Air Plan, which includes projects held jointly with Sheffield City Council.

Previous proposals showed that Sheffield would need to introduce a Category C (CAZ C) charging zone in order to achieve legal compliance by 2021.

Rotherham's proposed measures include a reduction in the speed limit on the Rotherham Gateway section of the Parkway, a one-way restriction of Heavy Goods traffic on Wortley Road, from Bradgate Park to Junction 35 of the M1, and improvements to the Bellows Road junction to enable the diversion of some buses from Rawmarsh Hill to Barbers Avenue.

The combined value for delivery is estimated at £2.885m with money coming via government grant funding.

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The Sheffield Parkway 50mph speed limit is to be delivered as part of Parkway Widening work that recently got underway. The speed limit will be in place for the duration of these improvements and remain after they are completed.

The £42m scheme, expected to finish in 2022, will create three lanes in each direction from the Catcliffe Junction to the junction with the M1 with modifications to the M1 J33 roundabout. Both the northbound and southbound slip roads from the M1 to junction 33 will be expanded to four lanes in consultation with Highways England.

The reduced speed limit is also required as a road safety measure, in light of the narrower lanes.

The Wortley Road restriction aims to redirect traffic to Junction 34 of the M1, removing traffic travelling uphill, where large good vehicles tend to produce more pollution. This also moves this traffic away from the area near people’s homes.

The improvements to Bellows Road will be made ahead of any proposed route change, which will be progressed following research and consultation on which services could be moved to benefit residents in the area.

Councillor Emma Hoddinott, Cabinet Member for Waste, Roads and Community Safety said: “There is no need for us to wait around to tackle air pollution. By agreeing these schemes now, we can improve the quality of the air you breathe as soon as possible."

Councillor Denise Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy said: “These schemes not only remove pollution, but also seek to improve public transport. They go hand-in-hand with the cycling strategy consultation we are also seeking to approve in this Cabinet.”

The proposals will be discussed at a Council meeting on March 22.

Images: Google Maps

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News: Plans passed for new Rotherham retail development

Plans have been approved for a number of retail units alongside a completed housing development in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported in January that plans had been submitted for a new commercial scheme on a parcel of land near to where housebuilder Taylor Wimpey completed a 280 home development near Rawmarsh, known as The Wickets.

Mumbles Group, a privately owned property development company, is behind the proposals for the vacant land at Harding Avenue and Symonds Avenue which will enable new shops, takeaways, restaurants and cafes to open at the entrance to the new housing estate at Upper Haugh.

The proposed development is for a parade of six units configured in an L shape along the western and southern boundaries, facing inwards over a 54 space  car park. New access is set to be created from Harding Avenue and some landscaping is also proposed. Totalling 10,323 sq ft of floorspace, the development will create a new local centre to serve the local community.

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The plans show that unit 1, the largest unit on the proposals will be occupied by Co-op. It is also estimated that four full time and 14 part time jobs would be created by the scheme.

The proposal is in a preferred location for new retail development and has found favour with Rotherham Council planners. Uses could include retail, food and drink and hot food and takeaway. It will need to meet the council's policy that restricts hot food takeaways within defined centres so that they would not result in not more than 25% of the ground floor units within a defined local centre being hot food takeaways.

Planners conclude: "The principle of a new local retail centre on this site on a site allocated for retail in the Local Plan is considered to be acceptable. The layout of the site is considered to offer an acceptable balance between achieving an efficient use of the land available whilst safeguarding a satisfactory provision of landscaping screening, with a mix of hard and soft landscaping features."



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News: Enterprising former bus driver's route to success

Developing a new business can be a little bit like waiting for a bus. Nothing happens for ages and then two arrive at once. When Conrad Kirk decided to leave his bus driving job last January, little did the Rawmarsh-based entrepreneur realise he would be at the helm of not one, but two successful businesses within just twelve months.

Keen to build a new career which allowed him to balance childcare commitments with his partner, the former area sales manager turned bus driver decided to draw on experiences from his former careers to pioneer a leaflet and distribution business.

Since taking the plunge into self-employment last January, from his initial 1,000 leaflet drops, Conrad and his team have delivered more than a million leaflets throughout Yorkshire during his first year of operations. Today, the company employs six permanent and fifteen casual members of staff after securing help for his business idea from the Launchpad programme, a unique initiative which supports aspiring entrepreneurs and new business owners which have been trading for less than three years.

Conrad hit on the idea of leaflet distribution as he realised the business could provide the flexibility in his working day to balance raising his young family. After trialling the idea and securing a number of small orders, the business moved from a bedroom office at home to a larger site in Barnsley.

As the business grew, Conrad has invested in technology enabling customers to check when their leaflets have been delivered as well as sharing live data from his distributors including the speed they are walking and the areas they have visited in real-time.

Securing additional space wasn't the only challenge faced by Evolution: larger leaflet deliveries meant larger quantities of packaging to dispose of. Sensing a fresh business opportunity, the new entrepreneur wasted no time in launching a second business aimed at recycling waste paper which is shredded and transformed into decomposable horse bedding.

Although Conrad's focus remains firmly on growing and developing his distribution company, Ecolution currently processes over 20 tonnes of waste paper each month after securing partnerships with several schools within the Dearne Valley.

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Conrad Kirk, founder of Evolution and Ecolution said: "Working as a bus driver gave me lots of time to reflect on my future. I had enjoyed a successful career working as an area sales manager previously, but felt guilty that I was unable to play a greater role in supporting my partner and our young family. We have four children under the age of four, including twins and I just felt there was a better way to earn a living. When I saw the advert for Launchpad, I realised it was a now or never moment and my ideas began to fall into place.

"At that time I had no real idea as to what my business would look like, but I wanted to realise a better work-life balance, and reduce our enormous outlay on childcare costs. I felt self-employment offered a golden opportunity to shape my future and since starting my own business I haven't looked back.

"The biggest challenge I faced was securing new customers. I realised that whilst a small run of leaflet distribution would help me to test the idea, if the company was to grow to a point where I could earn a living from the business, it needed to be scalable. I took part in a number of workshops hosted by Launchpad which helped me to understand what's involved with running a business, particularly when it came to understanding what’s involved when securing premises and especially when employing other people, which can be a legal minefield."

Recommended reading: 4 Taxes Small Businesses Should Be Aware Of

Julie Millea, Launchpad Business Advisor, added: "Conrad is a natural entrepreneur who is always brimming with lots of different business ideas, but ultimately he wanted to achieve a better work-life balance, but to do this he knew he needed to secure larger orders but wasn't sure how to access these.

"Through our one-to-one sessions, as well as taking part in a series of workshops, Conrad has successfully developed a robust business model which isn’t just helping to achieve a better lifestyle for himself and his partner, but after realising he was not alone in facing problems balancing childcare responsibilities with earning a living, he's also helped others to return to the workforce."

SCR Launchpad website

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News: Co-op lined up for new Rotherham retail development

A new local centre including a number of retail units is set to complement a housing development in Rotherham, if recently submitted plans are approved.

Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey completed a 280 home development near Rawmarsh, known as The Wickets, in 2018 and now a planning application has been submitted relating to a parcel of land nearby.

Mumbles Group, a privately owned property development company, is behind the proposals for the vacant land at Harding Avenue and Symonds Avenue which could see new shops, takeaways, restaurants and cafes open at the entrance to the new housing estate at Upper Haugh.

Described as a "new local centre" by planning consultants, Mango Planning, the plans are for a development of 10,323 sq ft of floorspace, together with a 54-space car park, new access from Harding Avenue and landscaping.

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A parade of six units configured in an L shape along the western and southern boundaries is proposed and the plans show that a Co-op convenience store is set to take the largest unit of 3,700 sq ft.

The land is designated as a local centre in the borough's local plan and applicants say that this means that a sequential assessment is not required. Local plan policies should also restrict the number of takeaways.

The plans conclude: "The proposal seeks to bring into beneficial use a vacant parcel of land and in so doing will bring investment into the local economy through job creation."

Four full time and 14 part time jobs would be created if plans are approved.

Mumble Group website

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News: "Appalling" Rotherham bakery prosecuted for food hygiene offences

A bakery in Rotherham has been successfully prosecuted for food hygiene offences.

Mr Bekir Cinar, who was the food business operator at Leverton Baker and Confectioners, in Rawmarsh, pleaded guilty to offences dating back to January.

During a routine food hygiene inspection in January, Rotherham Council Environmental Health Officers uncovered filthy conditions. The building was found to be in complete disarray and extremely poor structural condition. Equipment was dirty and in a poor state of repair.

The council found serious accumulations of filth and black mould present throughout the areas where food was prepared and stored. There was a pool of stagnant foul smelling water next to stored bakery ingredients. Food and ingredients were being stored uncovered, in filthy containers, with uncooked meat stored alongside other foods causing risk of contamination.

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During a hearing in May, Sheffield Magistrates Court agreed with the actions of council officers, to immediately close the premises following the inspection, due to the health risks.

Mr Cinar appeared at Sheffield Magistrates Court last month and pleaded guilty to six offences dating from January 2019. He was fined £1,213 and ordered to pay costs of £2,868. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £121. The total amount payable is £4,202. The defendant received credit for entering his guilty pleas.

Tom Smith, Assistant Director of Community Safety & Street Scene at Rotherham Council, said: "This business was in an appalling condition. Food business operators have a legal duty to keep their premises hygienic and any failure to do so will not be tolerated."

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News: New micropubs in Rotherham but no real ale festival

The high profile real event at Magna in Rotherham looks to have been pulled for 2019.

The Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary last year (despite the snow!). The three-day event attracts thousands of beer, food and music fans to Rotherham and raises thousands for local charities.

A recent post to the event's Facebook page states that this year's event has been cancelled.

It read: "Unfortunately, due to a number of unforeseen circumstances this year's beer festival has been cancelled.

"We are hoping to organise another festival in 2020."

Starting at Oakwood School in 1992, the event has gone on to become the largest indoor beer festival outside of London.

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Rotherham has seen a continued appetite for real ale with Something Brew Inn opening in Rawmarsh and Dragon's Tap opening at Stag roundabout. Little Haven operates from a former post office in Parkgate and the Rustic Tap has transformed a former restaurant in Maltby. The Wath Tap is Rotherham CAMRA branch's Pub of the Year for 2018.

Now plans have been submitted to convert a vacant 1,717 sq ft unit at Brinsworth into a micropub. The plans are for the former Brinsworth DIY and Trade Centre which sits alongside the Tesco Express and a parade of other shops.

Applicant, Sharon Oliver said in the plans that the new venue would cater for around 30 people but not have music or food. Planned opening hours are until 10:30pm Monday to Thursday, 11:00pm on Friday and Saturday, and 9:00pm on a Sunday.

Across the borough another small establishment appears to have already opened but planning documents show that a micropub on Dale Road to the rear of the existing Horse & Jockey pub, has caused concerns for nearby residents.

Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival website

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News: There's something brewing in Rawmarsh

The thirst for new craft beer venues in Rotherham shows no sign of settling down with a new micro pub set to open soon in Rawmarsh.

Rothbiz has reported recently on plans for new, smaller, sites that specialise in craft beers in Parkgate and Wickersley. The Wath Tap opened in a former butcher's in 2016 and the most recent opening is at Stag with The Dragon's Tap already proving popular.

Now a new pub is close to opening on Stocks Lane where the owners are hoping to revive the Rawmarsh "circuit."

Having had a taste of business with their mobile prosecco bar becoming a fixture at events and weddings, the family friends, Helen and Phil Hickling and Samantha and Lee Scothern, have poured their resources into fitting out a unit within a former office block.

Helen said: "We've got "Something Sparkling" with the mobile bar in our 1972 vintage caravan and now we are branching out with "Something BREW INN" in Rawmarsh."

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With a capacity of 60, the new bar is currently being fitted out around remnants of the old congregational chapel. It sits alongide a barber's and salon and is across from where work has just started on 60 new homes at Bellows Road.

Samantha, said: "We want to bring life back into the circuit. People in Rawmarsh know the circuit and we've had lots of positive feedback about our plans. There's nowhere like it.

"We'll be offering real ale and gins, with teas and coffee through the day. There'll be no loud music but we want to get a piano in and offer events such as beer tasting. We want to bring the public back into pubs."

Britain has lost 28,000 pubs since the 1970s, according to the CAMRA's latest Good Beer Guide. On the other hand, figures from the Society of Independent Brewers (Siba) show that craft beer sales increased 1.7% in 2017, more than double the 0.7% growth reported by the wider beer market.

Smaller breweries, like Rotherham's own Chantry Brewery, are being taken up as alternatives to the dominant big breweries and now account for 6.5% of total UK beer sales. Chantry has already been tapped up by Something BREW INN and the Dragon's Tap.

Something BREW INN Facebook page

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News: Houlton lands Rotherham housing construction contract

Hull-based Houlton Construction has won the contract for a long awaited housing development at Rawmarsh in Rotherham.

One of a number of projects to get started under Rotherham Council's new "Rother Living" brand is at Bellows Road in Rawmarsh where the regeneration of the former shopping centre has taken a number of years.

Planning permission was recently granted for 58 houses on vacant land. The brief for the development was to "provide a range of contemporary and stylish affordable homes to meet a range of people with shared ownership houses, to create a truly sustainable neighbourhood."

A range of apartments and houses are proposed.

Outline planning approval was granted in 2009 for a mixed-use development of retail and housing on the site but developers ROK went into administration shortly after. Plans for the first phase of retail progressed in cooperation with new council partners, Caddick Developments and new tenants on site included Tesco, Heron Foods, The Post Office and Vantage Chemist.

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Rotherham Council will be spending £50m over the next three years to build homes across the borough that meet the needs of residents and over half of the total will be council houses. Properties will be available to rent, part-own or buy.

In 2017, Rotherham Council was awarded £6.81m of grant funding through the Homes and Communities Agency's (HCA's) Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme (SOAHP).

WATES Residential Ltd, one of the Council's main construction partners, has already started on the "Site Clusters" programme that will see 217 homes built across seven sites in Maltby, Canklow, East Herringthorpe and Dinnington.

In addition, O&P construction has already begun work, including work on specialist bungalows and older people bungalows, on various smaller sites around the borough.

Cllr. Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Housing at Rotherham Council, said: "We are passionate about building more homes in the Rotherham as part of our ambitious plans to transform the borough, making it a destination where more people want to live, work, thrive and spend their leisure time.

"I am delighted that the construction of 336 homes is already underway and that a range of needs will be met, particularly older people through the 20 bungalows and 15 apartments being built, and homes for first time buyers – both concerns expressed by our residents when consulted on housing priorities."

Further schemes will be added to the housing building programme as the Council continues with its Masterplan for Rotherham town centre. The schemes are also set to bring with them employment and training opportunities for people in the borough.

Houlton Construction website

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News: Deal signed for Bellows Road development

Caddick Developments has signed an agreement with Rotherham Council that will see the Bellows Road Shopping Centre in Rawmarsh redeveloped into five new units covering approximately 8,500 sq ft.

Tesco, Heron Foods, Staniforths Bakers and Vantage Chemist have already signed up for the long awaited scheme with work scheduled to start on site at the end of April with the demolition of the current Joblot premises. Building work is then due to be completed by the end of October allowing for the tenants' fit-out in time for a pre-Christmas 2013 opening.

Once business tenants have moved Rotherham Borough Council will then close and demolish the current Bellows Road centre in preparation for a residential development. The housing phase of the development had been allocated over £4m from the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder but this national fund was withdrawn by the coalition government.

Rotherham Borough Council decided to use its compulsory purchase powers in 2009 with a view to redeveloping the shopping centre. As well as acquiring interests in the centre it has also been assisting tenants to relocate elsewhere.

The authority has being working with Caddick Developments to formulate plans for the new retail parade and they have now reached the point when Caddick is in a position to lease part of the Bellows Road site to accommodate the new retail parade. The Wetherby-based developers are expected to fund the retail development.

Myles Hartley, director of Caddick Developments Ltd. said: "We have been delighted to work with Rotherham Borough Council to bring forward these proposals that will see the construction of the new parade that will bring a new exciting shopping experience to the people of Rawmarsh. The new parade will include both well-known national retailers such as Tesco and Heron Foods as well as local retailers such as Staniforths Bakers and Vantage Chemist."

Caddick Developments website

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