News: Parkgate employment plans passed

The development of 434,862 sq ft of new commercial space on brownfield land in Rotherham have taken a step forward.

Rothbiz reported in 2023 on outline plans from The Stadium Group, which successfully developed Parkgate Shopping retail park in the Enterprise Zone created on the former Parkage steel works, for the remaining 22 acre plot of land bordered by Aldwarke Lane, Parkgate Shopping, the railway line and the new link road.

With the delayed £12m link road and Park & Ride due to complete later this year, Rotherham Council has now approved the latest application.

Plans, drawn up by Tetra Tech and DLA Architecture, explain that the land was historically used to dispose of blast furnace slag associated with the former Parkgate Steel works and formerly contained coke ovens, a tarred slag works, railway sidings, liquid waste lagoons and a subsequent aggregate working plant.

Outline plans show five units for B2 General industrial and B8 Storage or distribution with a gross external area of 434,862 sq ft.

With the new link road, access would be from Aldwarke Lane and Stadium Way / Stonerow Way.

Approved without going to the council's planning board, it comes with a number of conditions.

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Remaining undeveloped, the site was designated to be a mixed use area in the borough's local plan in 2018. As storage and distribution is not generally supported in mixed use areas, At this early stage, the developers envisaged that approximately 65% of the floorspace will be for B2 use, and 35% of floorspace will be for B8 use. A planning condition is included to limit B8 use to that percentage. The local road network and the presence of low bridges on Aldwarke Lane were also taken into account.

Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust objected to the loss of habitats and conditions have been included around some biodiversity enhancements on-site in the form of bat roosting features, bird nesting boxes and hedgehog holes.

Given the site's previous uses, another condition relates to carrying out Intrusive Site Investigations to assess for the potential presence and extent of contamination within the soils and groundwater.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) also requested that the Stadium Group look at re-opening an existing rail underpass off Waddington Lane. The developers declined to seek agreement with Network Rail, noting, that: “the railway underpass is third party land and is therefore outside the Applicants control, as well as being outside the application site boundary. As such, the Applicant has no authority to provide access under Network Rail (NR) land.”

Previous plans from the Stadium Group for the land have included a 2004 scheme based around an 11 pitch soccer dome with a health and fitness club and swimming pool, plus new retail and restaurant units.

The plans were recommended for approval but developers withdrew when the council included a condition that permission would only be granted with a £1.6m contribution towards the construction of a new road between Stonerow Way including a bridge over the railway line.

The outline approval comes at the same time as outline plans for land at nearby Aldwarke were approved. 330,000 sq ft of commercial buildings are proposed on land next to the Waste Water Treatment Works.

Images: Google Maps

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News: Plans approved for major Rotherham link road project

Plans have been given the green light for a £10m+ transport scheme that aims to improve the area around Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham.

The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) submitted plans for the works last year following a period of consutation.

A proposed new 800 metre Parkgate Link Road between Aldwarke Lane and both Stonerow Way and Stadium Way is set to provide a second access route to Parkgate Shopping, via a roundabout between the two railway bridges. It is designed to relieve existing congestion on the A633 around Parkgate Shopping and improve traffic flow and bus journey times on the corridor and wider road network.

£11.52m is required from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Transforming Cities Fund towards project costs of £12.86m. £7m is for the new access route and £3.4m for a new Park & Ride facility. £1.7m is needed for upgrades to Taylor's Lane roundabout nearby - a seperate part of the scheme.

Planners agree that the proposed link road will result in the redistribution of a portion of the existing arrivals and departures from Parkgate Shopping. "This redistribution will result in shorter and more time efficient journeys to and from the site and will deliver higher level benefits to congestion and air quality" their report states.

Parkgate Shopping has annual visitor numbers of 6.9 million.

The report adds: "Parkgate Shopping Park provides retail and employment within the general area of Rotherham. The popularity of this district shopping area has the effect of creating trip generated congestion on Great Eastern Way and Rotherham Road. This is especially apparent at weekends where congestion occurs beyond traditional peak travel times.

"In conjunction with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) and Stadium Developments, SYPTE have identified an alternative route into Parkgate Retail Park via a new link road between A6123 Aldwarke Lane, Stonerow Way and Stadium Way. The proposed route will be built to a standard that RMBC will be willing to adopt and maintain in perpetuity."

The brownfield land was allocated for mixed use in the borough's Local Plan which recognised that further infrastructure may be required to address wider highways and public transport issues, in the form of a link road.

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The report states: "From a planning policy perspective this link road development would potentially make the wider site more attractive for the land owner to bring forward. This is a large site within the urban area which has potential to contribute towards employment land provision plus other uses. The site is close to the Tram-Train pilot scheme station, and offers potential for supporting uses, such as a park and ride facility."

Plans show a roundabout in the centre of the link road with a potential junction to the land to the North.

The proposals also include a new 300 space Park & Ride facility for the tram-train to be located on land close to the existing Matalan store. 42 spaces are electric vehicle bays.

After changes to the vehicular access into the parking area, Rotherham Council's transport planners are happy with the plans. Agents for Parkgate Shopping had expressed concern over a potential increase in commercial vehicles driving through their retail park but "overall, they are supportive of the scheme."

Following an objection, a revised ecology study was submitted and the biodiversity improvement plan was revised. Planners conculde that "the benefits of the link road and parking area outweigh the any potential detriment on onsite ecology" and highlight that the area will also benefit from new landscaping proposals.

Approved without going in front of the council's planning board, planning permission comes with a number of conditions relating to things like drainage, land contamination and working close to the railway.

Rothbiz reported in March that Tilbury Douglas was to undertake the construction of the link road and construct the park and ride facility at Parkgate.

The contract, worth £8,420,930, is subject to securing planning permission, securing funding, and completion of legal documentation with landowners, Stadium and the Parkgate Rotherham Unit Trust.

Tilbury Douglas is a remaining division of British construction company, Interserve, that collapsed into administration in 2019 before being saved by creditors.

Interserve's recent work in the area includes the £12m contract for the refurbishment and upgrade of Rotherham Interchange.

SYPTE website

Images: Google Maps / SYPTE

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News: No plans to change venues for delayed UEFA Women’s EURO

Rotherham still has a shot at being part of the biggest Women's EUROs to date which organisers have confirmed will now kick off in 2022.

The UEFA Executive Committee this week confirmed that the postponed UEFA Women's EURO 2021 will be played in England in 2022 and it is planned to use the same venues that were originally proposed to host the event.

Rothbiz reported last year that Rotherham's AESSEAL New York Stadium was on to host four high profile international games at the tournament in 2021 including a prestigious quarter final on July 24.

The decision to move UEFA Women's EURO came after UEFA announced on 17 March that UEFA EURO 2020 would be postponed to 2021 following the global outbreak of COVID-19.

UEFA’s Chief of Women’s Football, Nadine Kessler, said: "The core question guiding us together with the English FA was: what is best for women's football? With the Olympics now being confirmed for summer 2021, we firmly believe that moving to 2022 is in the best interests of the tournament, the players, the fans, women's football partners and everybody involved in all areas and at all levels of the game. UEFA Women's EURO is Europe's biggest women’s sport event. It is also among the biggest sports events in the world, and therefore needs and deserves a platform of its own."

New York Stadium is one of ten grounds which will stage the tournament. Other host venues include Bramall Lane, Old Trafford and Wembley. England, who reached the semi finals of the Women's World Cup in 2018, will be joined by 15 other nations.

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Sue Campbell, The English FA's Director of Women’s Football, said: "Our intention is to stage the same tournament that was being planned for 2021 in 2022 and we very much hope that all current venues and cities will continue to play a role in hosting the tournament. They've all been fantastic partners to work with to date, showing a great level of commitment and support both for the delivery of the tournament and women’s football more broadly.

"Prior to being awarded the tournament, we undertook a rigorous process to identify venues and cities who were interested in staging games. Notice was sent to all cities and councils, County FAs, Premier League, English Football League and FA Women’s Super League clubs. A total of 25 cities expressed an interest, and a Bid Steering group then reviewed all submitted responses.

"The final decision was based on the venues which adhered to the numerous technical requirements from UEFA, as well as host cities that could provide the required level of support to deliver a major event. A commitment from the City Council to support the wider legacy and sustainable development of the women's game was also an important factor.

"This was coupled with the need to strike the right balance for the tournament. Setting an ambitious ticket target – with more than 700,000 tickets available for fans – whilst seeking to achieve full venues where possible. This is a balance we believe we have achieved in the selected venues and cities, with England's Lionesses due to play all of their group stage games at Premier League grounds across the country."

Having previously hosted a number of youth internationals, the AESSEAL New York Stadium hosted five games at the 2018 UEFA European Under 17 Championships, including a semi-final and the final.

In 2013, England's women beat Canada 1-0 in a friendly at Rotherham, and in 2016 a crowd of 10,550 witnessed the Lionesses draw 1-1 with Belgium in a UEFA Women's Euro 2017 qualifier. In 2018, the £20m stadium also hosted the team in a friendly fixture against Sweden as they stepped up their preparations for the FIFA Women's World Cup.

RUFC website

Images: RUFC / The FA

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News: Parkgate sidelined in station site search

A location has been agreed for a potential £14m new mainline station in Rotherham and it is not going to be at Parkgate, the initial front runner.

Transport bosses have agreed a preferred station location and the latest progress report confirms that it would not be built on the land immediately adjacent to Parkgate Shopping, the 575,000 sq ft retail destination that is one of the largest retail parks in the UK.

The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) in partnership with Rotherham Council commissioned a study in 2015 looking to identify the level of rail service required to support Rotherham's economic and transport needs.

As part of the study, benchmarking showed that Rotherham's economy is not as strong as comparable centres and its rail connectivity is not as good.

Despite the town's central station benefiting from a £8.5m redevelopment, the study concluded that the only practical and cost effective way to enhance rail connectivity to Rotherham is to consider providing a new railway station on the mainline to take advantage of services that currently pass through the borough but do not stop.

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A mainline station at Parkgate would cater for inter-regional services, in the form of a Parkway type station and would be complementary to the role of Rotherham Central. The study, carried out by JMP, indicated that the new station could benefit from direct services to Sheffield, Doncaster, Manchester and its airport, Cleethorpes, Hull, York, Newcastle, Reading and a potential new service to connect to Leeds.

Parkgate is also the location of a new final stop for the delayed £60m Sheffield-Rotherham tram train pilot project. Work was being carried out to see if the mainline station and tram-train stop, at opposite ends of the site, could be linked together with a park & ride facility.

Work has also been progressing on highway improvements, including a new multimilion pound link road between Aldwarke Lane and Parkgate Shopping, that could open up the adjacent redevelopment site, which is owned by Stadium Developments.

A report to the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee, states: "The outcome of the stage 1 work on the Rotherham Parkway Station is now complete and it has identified that the site immediately adjacent to Parkgate Shopping is not the preferred site and therefore the alignment of the access road is not affected.

"For the preferred station location, [consultants] ARUP has progressed the business case development work during Q3 based on the data held within the national Rail Demand Forecasting Model – MOIRA (assesses the impact of timetable changes on the rail network). The outcome of this is to be presented in the New Year.

"The outline design for the preferred station location is also being developed to ensure the cost estimates are robust as part of the business case appraisal process."

Other initial locations for new station include a Network Rail site at the former council depot at Greasbrough Road, Henry Boot's Parkgate development at Forge Way and even the mainline station at Masbrough that closed in 1987.

Discussion are ongoing withing the Sheffield City Region to consider funding options for the station and access road at Parkgate.

Last month it was revealed that sites in Rotherham are also being considered for a potential parkway station on the realigned HS2 route between London and Leeds.

Images: GVA

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News: Developers open to new road at Parkgate

Proposals are being discussed again for a new road at Parkgate in Rotherham that could help reduce congestion and bring derelict land back into use.

Modelling of the transport links on the Dearne corridor has indicated that significant benefits to bus journey time and reliability on the A633 between Rotherham town centre and Manvers via Parkgate could be achieved by constructing a new road between Aldwarke Lane and the rear access to Parkgate Shopping.

£1.4m worth of transport schemes are already underway as part of a long term project to improve overall journey time reliability and reduce delays between Rotherham town centre and Parkgate. This includes re-alignment of the kerbline on St Ann's roundabout and minor highway works to help bus drivers at the busy junction. A bus and cycle only lane on the south bound carriageway of the A633 Rotherham Road between Taylor's Lane and Stadium Way has been redesigned and work is due to commence shortly.

Now, consultants ARUP has been commissioned to draw up outline designs for a new road through the 14 hectare brownfield site adjacent to Parkgate Shopping.

A report to next week's Sheffield City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee states that "Stadium Developments, the owner of the land across which this road would cross, has indicated a willingness to allow the road to be constructed and RMBC has indicated an acceptance to adopt the completed highway provided it is constructed to the appropriate standards."

The site is currently subject to recycling and removal of secondary aggregates and in the final draft of the council's Local Plan, the land is considered to remain suitable for business and industrial use.

In 1987, Parkgate Retail World opened as part of the regeneration of large areas of reclaimed land formerly occupied by the Park Gate Iron and Steel Co. It is one of the largest retail parks in the UK, home to over 40 shops and attracting around seven million visitors a year. Despite a number of masterplans and detailed applications, the adjacent 14.3 hectare site remains undeveloped.

Rotherham Council has long promoted a new road at the rear of the Parkgate retail development. Planning permission was approved in 2004 for the construction of new road, including the construction of a bridge over the railway, from Beale Way to Stonerow Way.

Plans from Hull-based Stadium Developments for a "soccerdome" and associated food and drink outlets on the vacant site were set to be approved back in 2005 but a Section 106 was never agreed after planners made it clear that the developers should contribute £1.6m to the cost of a new access road.

The land was also considered as a possible location for Rotherham United's new stadium but was discounted in favour of the site of the former Guest and Chrimes foundry on the edge of Rotherham town centre.

Over the railway line at Aldwarke Wharf, land owner E.V Waddington Ltd has successfully brought forward a speculative development of units with the latest 41,000 sq ft set to be available in February 2015. The area is home to Kite Packaging, Philford Design Engineers, Envelopemaster, SP Containers and Candlelight Products.

Images: Gregory Projects / GVA

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