News: Riverside park plans replace proposed residential block

Muse, Rotherham Council's development partner on the Forge Island regeneration scheme in the town centre, is not going ahead with a future part of the scheme.

A prominent site, long ear-marked for residential use, is instead set to become a riverside park.

Plans have now been submitted to create Riverside Gardens on an area extending from the recently demolished Riverside Precinct, covering the old abattoir site behind Market Street, most recently used as a riverside car park now considered to be surplus to requirements, and passing the Old Market, Keppel Wharf and Westgate Chambers residential developments.

With the pedestrianisation of part of Market Street and Domine Lane, the aim is to form an entrance leading to Riverside Gardens and Forge Island from the town centre.

When Muse secured planning permission for the cinema, hotel and food & drink units on Forge Island it used a hybrid planning application, outlining plans for later phases - 50 riverside residential units on land known as the abattoir site and 70 residential units on the site of the former courts buildings.

The latest planning application confirms: "[The application] incorporated Riverside Car Park within a wider scheme which include Forge Island and The Statutes to the west. The scheme sought to deliver two residential blocks on Riverside Car Park Site, however Muse Developments have confirmed that this residential element will not be delivered.

"Conversations between the Council and Muse Developments have confirmed that the residential element of the Forge Island scheme will not come forward, thereby leaving the site vacant and underused. This has created a risk that the Riverside Car Park element will not be redeveloped and could potentially be an undeveloped void in between Rotherham Town Centre and Forge Island.

"It is this which has led RiDO to pursue the proposed development to ensure a key area is not overlooked in the regeneration efforts of Rotherham Town Centre."

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Following a period of consultation, a new proposal has been drawn up by the council's contractors, Tetra Tech (formerly WYG), for new public realm including a landscaping scheme and the pedestrianisation of Market Street and Domine Lane. It is not considered that the site could accommodate retail development.

Aspects include a play area with a slide, climbing slope, timber logs and other natural play-based elements, soft landscaping to form a stepped profile which can be used for natural play, a plaza to accommodate outdoor seating and a new public artwork. The final design details of this artwork are being determined, however it is set to be a large sized interactive and educational sculptural piece which spells "Rotherham."

Domine Lane and Market Street will be permanently closed to vehicular traffic and pedestrianised. Another piece of artwork, in the form of a pair of corten steel arches, is proposed to be included along Domine Lane.

The application adds that the proposals will "create a unique space within the town centre which will attract users from within the Borough and encourage additional dwell time through providing a space for recreation and social activities. Additionally, the art piece is intended to be a bold statement which signifies, strengthens and promotes Rotherham’s identity, and may act as a draw within its own right."

The plans also hint at further development proposals around the reuse of former bank buildings on Corporation Street, "however the designs for this are not available at this stage."

Images: RiDO / Tetra Tech

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News: Plans for new town centre green space revealed

Pedestrianised roads around residential and leisure developments, natural play space for children and the creation of a riverside walk along the River Don are among ideas for new green space in Rotherham town centre.

Riverside Gardens is a new public space which will form a key gateway to the flagship Forge Island leisure development and wider town centre.

Rothbiz revealed last month that Tetra Tech, a leading provider of consulting and engineering services, had been appointed by the council on a £439,196 contract for the design and delivery of the gardens and public realm.

Extending from the area around the recently demolished Riverside Precint, the scheme takes in the old abbatoir site by the river, most recently used as a car park, and runs past the Old Market, Keppel Wharf and Westgate Chambers residential developments.

There is a prime focus on pedestrian access along and into Riverside Gardens. With the pedestrianisation of part of Market Street and Domine Lane, the aim is to form an entrance leading to Riverside Gardens and Forge Island from the town centre.

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A cgi video released as part of the consultation also shows new buildings on Corporations Street which could be linked to plans for extending the the Leisure and Cultural Quarter from Forge Island.

The Leader of Rotherham Council, Cllr Chris Read, said: “Riverside Gardens will provide a great gateway into Forge Island but will also be a destination in its own right.

“This scheme is a key part of the Town Centre Masterplan and will complement other public realm work across the town centre as we seek to ensure the area is something the whole town can be proud of.”

At Forge Island, where work is being carried out to create a new leisure scheme with an 8-screen boutique style cinema, modern hotel, food and drink outlets and car parking.

Consultaion on the plans is on until Sunday May 15 at www.rotherhamtowncentre.co.uk/riverside-gardens

There will also be a public information event in the town centre on Tuesday 10 May and Wednesday 11 May at the top of Bridgegate next to All Saints’ Square, from 10am to 2pm.

Images: RMBC / Tetra Tech

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News: Contractors appointed for Rotherham town centre green space projects

Contractors have been appointed to undertake work on a pocket park and high-quality public space on the High Street in Rotherham, but the scheme has been delayed again.

Another town centre green space project is being designed.

Rotherham Council purchased the former Primark building on High Street in November 2020, using funding from the Towns Fund Accelerator programme after the Government awarded a £1m grant to kick start regeneration projects in Rotherham town centre.

Demolition work took place last June and the authority had set out to complete a pocket park by September 2021.

Approved plans for Snail Yard would see 0.08 hectares of the 0.24 hectares site turned into public space will have a stepped profile and proposals include astrotrufed terraces, seating and trees, as well as branding features such as the red scaffolding with black mesh proposed to encase the site. This could be a space for public artwork, and / or large branding and signage.

Having secured further funding in December, Rotherham Council has now appointed Galliford Try, one of the UK's leading construction groups, to carry out £400,000 of landscaping works, hard and soft public realm areas and fencing works surrounding the site's perimeter.

The project has also been delayed and is now due for completion by June 2022. The council said that its construction projects "are being affected by national market conditions" such as national labour and material shortages.

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At Forge Island, where work is being carried out to create a new leisure scheme with an 8-screen boutique style cinema, modern hotel, food and drink outlets and car parking, a scheme called Riverside Gardens is set complement the investment.

Using Future High Streets Fund (FHSF) and Council money, the creation of a high-quality Riverside Gardens is set to link the Forge Island redevelopment with the town centre in the area around the now demolished Riverside Precinct.

Tetra Tech, a leading provider of consulting and engineering services, has been appointed by the council on a £439,196 contract for the design and delivery of the gardens and public realm.

Tetra Tech acquired UK-based engineering firm WYG in 2019. Consultants at WYG worked on the Rotherham town centre masterplan which was adopted in 2017.

Images: RMBC

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News: Regenerating Eastwood on Council's agenda

Filling in the underpass at St Ann's and new family housing are two ideas in a new Council plan to regenerate the Eastwood area of Rotherham.

The Town Deal is a £3.6bn programme seeking to "unleash the economic potential" of 100 places across the country. Rotherham has been given the opportunity to access £25 - 50m.

In a bid for the funding, the Council has contracted consultants, ARUP and WYG, to work on a Town Investment Plan (TIP) which focuses on the economic growth corridor which stretches from Templeborough through the town centre and out to Eastwood.

The Eastwood area was one of the first four areas where Rotherham Council introduced a selective licensing scheme to tackle the low housing demand and significant and persistent levels of antisocial behaviour (ASB) related to the private rented sector.

The plan identifies that some housing areas have long term issues and that there are vacant and disused buildings on the adjacent trading estate.

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Interventions include new family housing on underused land on York Road, on the site of the closed Netherfield Court care home and on Erskine Road. Some existing residential properties in the area could be refurbished and transformed.

The plan also includes planting along Fitzwilliam Road and introduces the idea of a separate company to maintain shared gardens to address ASB.

Interventions around improving connectivity include replacing the two bridges over the rail line and canal to better connect Parkgate's retail centre, and tram-train stop, with Eastwood Village. At St Ann's, filling in the underpass is proposed with the creation of better, at grade, connections for pedestrians and cyclists.

Consultants are carrying out a virtual exhibition before final plans are submitted to the Government in October.

Images: Google Maps

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News: Rotherham colliery to host massive auctions

Remaining employment land at the former Maltby Colliery in Rotherham has been sized up by Ritchie Bros., the world's largest auctioneer of heavy equipment and trucks, for its new UK location.

The 500 acre colliery was mined for over 100 years until geological conditions could not be overcome and underground operations ceased in 2013.

Rothbiz reported last year that Hargreaves Land was promoting the reuse of around 80 acres for commercial/industrial uses around the former pit head.

Now plans have been submitted to enable part of the yard to be used as an auction site which could accommodate large plant, machinery and equipment when auction events would be held up to ten times per year. Around 575 attendees are expected at each auction event over two days.

The initial proposals are for a smaller area for temporary period of 12 months with plans set to follow for the full 26 acres for a 20 year period.

The first Rotherham auction has already been pencilled in for February 26 with a catalogue of loaders, dump trucks and excavators.

Ritchie Bros. have been holding auctions since 1958, initially in Canada and then expanding to now operate on an international basis with over 40 sites. UK auctions had been held at Donington Park but have now outgrown the site.

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In searching for new sites, Ritchie Bros. identified two preferred sites and of these the land on part of the pit yard at the former Maltby Colliery was the preferred location.

The plans added that "the former Maltby Colliery site's appeal to Ritchie Bros. included a heritage with an industry that they feel close to and a site with many inherent benefits by being expertly engineered and designed to accommodate large plant, machinery and equipment."

Secure, controlled access and excellent transport links were also in Maltby's favour.

The plans, drawn up by WYG, explain: "Ritchie Bros. employed 29 full time staff at their Donington Park site, which ceased activities in late 2018. It is anticipated that the temporary Auction Scheme would provide 30 full time jobs, which would include around ten employees relocating from the Donington Park site and the remaining 20 would be new employees.

"It is envisaged that 40 additional temporary jobs would be provided for each auction event (over two days) up to ten times per year, along with a proportion of such jobs commencing the week before the auction and also during the following week. In addition, there would be indirect jobs and spend in the local economy associated with the Auction Scheme estimated to be in the order of £0.75m per annum."

Transport assessments throughout the year are included with significant travel expected around the auction event days.

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Rupert Craven, sales director UK & Ireland at Ritchie Bros., said: "We're extremely proud and excited to announce that we're holding our next UK auction at a new location: in Maltby, Rotherham (South Yorkshire).

"More precisely, our auction site will be at the former Maltby Main Colliery mine – a place of incredible heritage and an inspirational community. As an active coal mine for more than a hundred years (between 1910 and 2013), it has seen its share of hard work, ingenuity and – yes – heavy machinery. We'll certainly strive to continue with these traditions.

"We've started to outgrow our Donington Park site. More and more equipment is brought to our yard every year. Our new location in Maltby will be ready for future growth and offer more advantage to all our customers."

The reclamation scheme for the rest of the colliery is expected to commence in Spring 2019.

Ritchie Bros. website

Images: Hargreaves / Ritchie Bros.

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News: Bassingthorpe sell off nears

With the Local Plan adopted, Rotherham Council is preparing to dispose of land that it owns on the housing site at Bassingthorpe Farm.

It was in November 2016 when the authority approved plans to search for a "Promotion Partner" that would bring skills and funding to facilitate the delivery of the site.

As part of the Local Plan core strategy that was adopted by the Council in 2014, the 215 hectare area close to Rotherham town centre was controversially removed from the Green Belt and designated as a Strategic Allocation and the main location for new housing, employment and retail growth.

2,400 dwellings could be joined by 11 hectares for employment use, a local health centre, primary school, and a local centre together with the green and social infrastructure necessary to create facilities to serve the new and existing communities.

Around 57 hectares (26%) of the site is under Rotherham Council's ownership and the Council has been leading on the proposals for a number of years, working collaboratively with major landowner, Fitzwilliam (Wentworth) Estates, on how to bring forward the project.

The Council's cabinet is set to make a key decision later this year: "To approve the disposal of the land that forms part of the Bassingthorpe housing allocation and to authorise negotiation on the final terms and complete the transaction."

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Since 2016, partners have been searching for external funding to support the project whilst courting potential developers and investors.

The promotion partner route involves the partner taking on responsibility for securing planning permission, marketing and disposing of the land to end users, such as house builders, in exchange for a share of the receipts (typically around 15-20%). An option to appoint a delivery partner if a promotion partner cannot be found was also put forward. Popular with house-builders, this route involves partners taking options to purchase the land outright.

To support development at Bassingthorpe, funding has been secured for a £4.63m scheme to improve capacity on College Road roundabout on the edge of Rotherham town centre. Bids have also gone in for Government funding via the Sheffield city region (SCR).

Previous work has shown estimated delivery costs of over £350m for the project with the infrastructure needed to bring forward houses, associated retail and employment uses estimated at over £50m.

Bassingthorpe was one of the key SCR projects in the portfolio taken to this year's MIPIM event. It was revealed that further meetings at the high profile property event led to two parties expressing an interest in the Bassingthorpe housing development.

Masterplanners, WYG undertook consultation last year on the vision to create a "garden suburb for the 21st century." It showed a range of character areas including a new modern urban living housing area at Clough Bank View. A mixed use area is also included incorporating the Grade II Listed Bassingthorpe Farm buildings and showed a primary school, retail, health, community uses and sports pitches.

A new business park and industrial area are also included in the plans.

WYG said at the consultation: "The Council and Fitzwilliam Wentworth Estate are working together to secure a delivery partner or partners. We expect a delivery partner/partners to put in a planning application followed by roads, drains, sewers. The delivery partner/partners may then sell off parcels of land to house builders such as Taylor Wimpey, Jones Homes, Strata for example. We think this will start to happen during 2018."

The Council are set to prepare planning guidance known as a Supplementary Planning Document or SPD for the site which will require further consultation. It was expected for new houses to start being built from 2020/2021.

The Council is playing a role in boosting house building in the borough. The overall number of homes in the borough increased by 479 units in the 2017/18 financial year, below the Council's target of 641 units.

RMBC website

Images: RMBC / Fitzwilliam (Wentworth) Estates / WYG

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News: Free parking "not the answer" for revitalising Rotherham

Local businesses have been asking for free parking across Rotherham town centre but those behind the masterplan for the area insist that it is not the key to success.

Instead, the masterplan sets out that the answer is building and enhancing the quality of the destination and the town centre as an attraction, and by creating an intelligent and competitive parking regime.

The recently published masterplan places a greater emphasis on town centre living and leisure, as opposed to traditional retail uses, in continuing the regeneration of Rotherham town centre. It is set for approval by the Council's cabinet in September.

A detailed parking strategy has been prepared to underpin and support the plan which was developed for the Council by WYG Group and Lambert Smith Hampton and includes key catalyst projects such as the proposed £43m leisure development with a cinema, hotel and a 300 space car park on Forge Island (cgi, above).

The masterplan states: "Whilst the sustainable modes of travel are promoted the role of car parking in supporting the success and sustainability of town centre and its businesses is confirmed as vitally important.

"Free parking giving access to a poor town centre is not the key to success. An improved town centre offer, with an intelligent and competitive parking regime is. Parking controls should be geared to encouraging people to use the town centre as conveniently and cost effectively as possible."

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Parking charges increased in Rotherham town centre in 2016 to help fill a deficit in the Council's parking services budget. Councillors wanted an option to increase charges on the basis of free (off street) parking being provided on Saturdays but this was not acceded to.

The latest plans do put forward some ideas for the Council, but free parking "across the board" is not one of them. In 2015, Council bosses estimated that this would "probably" boost trade but if it was introduced, a £400,000 surplus generated for the Council would turn into a deficit of approximately £500,000.

Ideas include operating a "hub" of public car parks with the same pricing structure, additional time-limited free parking in car parks where there is low occupancy (as used in the "red zone" on Forge Island), and barrier controlled entry and exit car parks so that people are not forced to leave the town when their ticket expires. Pay on exit barrier controlled parking reduces the risk of enforcement and people only pay for what they use.

Another idea is for additional on-street parking in central areas to provide easy access for shoppers and visitors. The balance of pedestrian and vehicular access in areas around Howard Street, Effingham Street and College Street means that areas are cut-off from passing movements of people and motorists, particularly in the evening. Allowing cars on the pedestrianised areas out of shopping-hours and the introduction of 20-30 new spaces is put forward.

The plans state: "Proposals for car parking in the short-term should help to support increased use of the town centre. This will directly to answer retailers' requests for interim measures to support vitality and viability. This could involve the Council taking a flexible approach to their car parks and the charging / ticketing regimes.

"The answer to Rotherham's future is not however free parking. The answer is building and enhancing the quality of the destination and the town centre as an attraction.

"In the longer term, the aim is to ensure safe, welcoming and user friendly town centre car parks and parking options, which are convenient, competitively priced and which encourage use of the town centre through the day and into the evening."

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The plans also show an oversupply of parking now, and with planned developments. Even as existing surface car parks make way for proposed development this "will in part address the present over supply (and underuse) of many car parks."

The plans add: "To ensure businesses continue to trade well and benefit from adequate car parking in the town centre, we have assessed the implications of blocks of parking being removed from the supply at various times. Our conclusions are that there will always be supply to meet present and future demands and that the interim arrangements will be sufficient to ensure the town centre continues to trade."

Studies show the existing off street parking provision of 2,374 spaces dipping below 2,000 in 2019 before returning to 2,300 as new car parks are created by the end of 2020. Car park maximum occupancy levels are shown as 1,415 in 2017 and 1,727 in the year 2028.

For example: "Whilst there may be some inconvenience with parking at Forge Island being lost whilst development is under construction, parking will be available in the refurbished Interchange."

Images: WYG / RMBC

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News: Council tests waters on town centre housing

Rotherham Council is seeking the thoughts of developers on how best to bring forward housing on "go early" town centre sites.

The recently published masterplan places a greater emphasis on town centre living and leisure, as opposed to traditional retail uses, in continuing the regeneration of Rotherham town centre.

The authority has secured £6.8m under the Government's expanding affordable housing programme and was named in the first wave of 30 local authority partnerships under the Government's £1.2 billion Starter Homes Land Fund – selected on the basis of their potential for early delivery.

Schemes worth around £40m have been identified and the sites under Council ownership on Sheffield Road - the former baths site, now used as a car park, and the now vacant Millfold House - are frontrunners for development, with the Council wanting to bring them to market in the next six months.

Having recently held its first Housing Developer Summit with a focus on the town centre, "soft market testing" is now underway, and the Council keen to hear from developers on the two specific sites where between 130 and 150 apartments and houses could be built.

The authority wants informal opinions on tenure mix, demand, pace of delivery, challenges and the best model or partnership for development. Formal tendering is likely to get underway in October.

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The masterplan states that: "New town centre residential accommodation should comprise a mixture of both apartments and traditional housing to appeal to a broader market. This would also attract more residents to the Town Centre and further contribute to securing additional footfall which would provide a further boost to Rotherham.

"The high priority site for the partnership is the former swimming baths site at Sheffield Road, which is a key market-creating site. It is envisaged in the masterplan as mainly contemporary distinctive high density urban housing."

The brief adds that: "These homes will be a catalyst for future development and must set the right tone and attract people to want to buy into Rotherham's vision for the town centre. Inspiration has been drawn from key developments at Sheffield's Kelham Island which combine modern design with preservation of the area's industrial heritage."

The Council has been developing proposals to kickstart housing construction in the town centre where financial viability is an issue for the private sector due to site constraints and values. Consultation with estate agents and developers has shown a strong appetite for new homes in the town centre where transport connections are being improved with the addition of tram-train services.

12 sites in the town centre have been identified that could deliver 1,000 homes in the next few years. Further work has narrowed this down to six sites and 400 homes. Other sites include two sites on the riverside opposite Forge Island, the former Henley's garage site on Wellgate, and on the remaining land at Doncaster Gate where work on the new £13m university campus is getting underway.

On financing the developments, the masterplan adds: "Potential investors have indicated funds in-excess-of £20m could be directed to Rotherham in terms of patient finance to create the residential market. This would align with the scale of the opportunity envisaged by the masterplan.

"The Council's starter homes programme has also secured potential long term loan-based investment of the same order. With success, the scale of development will increase. Other private investment in new homes could easily reach that level also."



Images: RMBC / WYG / Google Maps

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News: Court date with wrecking ball nears

Work on demolishing the former Law Courts building in Rotherham is set to start next week and the adjacent "outdated" Police Station on Main Street is also being eyed up for redevelopment.

Rotherham Council acquired the former home of the Magistrates' Court, County Court and Family Court, from Her Majesty's Court and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) for £1 in March.

Following a decision by Commissioner Kenny, the option to demolish the building was delegated to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment and the Council has now submitted a planning application to take down the buildings on the 1.34 acre site.

Rothbiz reported last month that the new town centre masterplan urged the authority to move quickly to assess whether the site could be used to accommodate a new theatre and arts centre.

The latest masterplan from the Council, design company WYG Group and Lambert Smith Hampton, includes the potential development that could incorporate a cafe / restaurant and creative / business space alongside a 500 seat theatre and studio theatre.

A feasibility study and business plan for the theatre is to be worked up as the Council also heads to the market in September for the related regeneration of the Forge Island site. The plan here is for a £43m leisure development anchored by a cinema and hotel.

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The masterplan also discusses the redevelopment of the South Yorkshire Police offices as part of a later phase of regeneration and the Council's "potential long term acquisition of the Police Station."

A £7m police training centre was opened at Manvers in 2010 and the custody suite at Main Street was closed last year when the force opened a new £12m centre at Shepcote Lane. By replacing inefficient custody suites in Rotherham and Sheffield with one purpose-built centre, the force should save £1.2m year.

The force's Dinnington station has closed, with its presence moved to the town's resource centre. A new shared facility with South Yorkshire Fire has been constructed in Maltby.

Regarding Main Street, the masterplan states: "At this stage, it is too early to confirm one way or the other what will happen on this site. It seems likely that the buildings are outdated in terms of modern policing requirements. From experience of other police HQ relocations, the space within the building may-well be too large and inefficient and the Town Centre location not essential for some, if not most activities undertaken there.

"The site also has clear synergy with Riverside House and Forge Island so it is sensible for RMBC to maintain continuing dialogue with South Yorkshire Police and to support them in any future review of facilities and site searches.

"Should this land become available if would be used to "support and complement" Forge Island (not change it in any way fundamentally) and could provide additional town centre homes."

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The document also discusses that "an integrated approach will be necessary and some sharing of space / facilities at Riverside House [the Council's £60m offices over the road] could be an option for some uses. Replacement facilities in more appropriate locations and built to meet modern requirements and efficiencies would be needed and RMBC could assist with site search."

There is a continuing liaison with South Yorkshire Police regarding their prospective relocation but Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, said this week: "South Yorkshire Police haven't made any decision yet to move staff out of the building, so for the time being the police station continues as it is."

The old police station on Frederick Street in Rotherham town centre was demolished in 1988. The current headquarters (pictured) was built on the site of the popular funfair known as the "Stattis Fair" which ended in 1978. Previously, the current Town Hall was used as the town's police station and court house.

Images: Google Maps

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News: What could replace eyesore buildings?

As Rotherham Council considers using a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to acquire two burnt out buildings in the town centre, the new masterplan hints at what could replace them.

Rothbiz reported last month that council bosses were reaching the "last resort" having failed to engage with the absentee owners of 3-7 Corporation Street despite numerous attempts.


On the key route through town, the former Envy nightclub building, which suffered a malicious fire in 2007, and Muskaan restaurant, which was closed after a fire in 2011, have been left empty ever since, and whilst not structurally unsafe, the buildings are widely acknowledged to be an eyesore.

The masterplan, developed by Design Company WYG Group and Lambert Smith Hampton, states that the buildings "create a very poor impression of the town and undermine confidence in the town centre.

"The Council is now moving ahead with the acquisition of these sites for redevelopment and this is essential to the future success of this part of the town, which has been blighted by this sense of dereliction over recent years.

"The Council may require compulsory purchase powers and this is deemed appropriate in this instance to overcome the visual blight caused by the state of these buildings."

A housing scheme is being developed and the plan goes on to state that indicative proposals and viability assessments have been prepared for these sites for residential purposes, adding that "the masterplan supports this activity."

2014 outline plans for residential apartments with retail on the ground floor never got past the pre-application stage.

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Cllr. Denise Lelliott, cabinet member for jobs and the local economy at Rotherham Council, said: "In order for a compulsory purchase order to be successful you've got to have a viable, costed plan. Currently our housing colleagues have been working on that and have failed to come up with a viable costed plan but will continue to do that. It is helped by our supplementary planning document and the masterplan that will give us an idea of what we want in that area.

"We will continue to try and contact the owners while we put together a viable plan."

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, added: "It is safe to say that these buildings have been an eyesore for some time and we are thoroughly ready to see them gone. They are a terrible representation of the town for people who arrive on the train."

Once acquired, the Council said it would look to procure a development partner to bring this site forward. A brief, setting out the broad proposal for the site and desired outputs will help to procure a developer partner by the end of 2017. If a purchase of the properties by mutual agreement with the current owners is not concluded then the CPO process will commence in early 2018.

The masterplan also goes further and discusses the "unattractive corner site" on Corporation Street and Upper Millgate next to the burnt out nightclub which has the potential to be a "strong linking development into Forge Island" alongside Minster Gardens and the conservation area.

The plans state: "The adjacent building which occupies the corner plot at Corporation Street / Minster Gardens is also poor visually and outdated. Its modernist architecture is out of place with the character of the space and the sculpture on the corner of the building a symbol of a dated town centre.

"It would be advantageous to redevelop this building alongside the adjacent Corporation Street Sites. It is noted that this corner building includes trading business and these would need to be protected and fully consulted through redevelopment."

Last week, Rothbiz reported on the options for the redevelopment on the other side of Corporation Street which faces the River Don and Forge Island. Here a mixed use development of housing, retail and leisure could incorporate new and current buildings. Alternatively, buildings could be cleared to create a larger riverside park.

Images: WYG / Google Maps

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News: Options for Rotherham riverside redevelopment

Two options are being discussed for the riverside sites along Corporation Street in Rotherham town centre, both including the demolition of some of the current commercial properties.

Corporation Street is set to play an important role in the redevelopment of Rotherham town centre, linking as it does, the proposed leisure hub on Forge Island, and the revamped bus station, with the Minster and the rest of the town.

Launched last month, the town centre masterplan set out key sites and catalyst projects that will bring more people to live, visit and work in the town. From now until 2020, it is envisaged that anything between £130m and 160m will be invested in the area.

Corporation Street has suffered a decline in footfall since Tesco relocated to a new £40m store in 2014. In addition, two burnt out buildings, a former restaurant and adjacent night club, create a very poor impression of the town and undermine confidence in the town centre.

The masterplan sets out a number of proposals for this area to complement the plans for Forge Island.

The Council has already acquired, and cleared, the site of the former Tesco store, and is progressing plans to acquire the remaining leasehold interests at the Riverside Precinct.

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A key objective of the masterplan, developed by Design Company WYG Group and Lambert Smith Hampton, is to integrate the waterside back into the heart of the town.

On the eastern riverbank, the masterplan discusses two options - a mixed use development incorporating new and current buildings or clearing the buildings to create a larger riverside park.

The mixed use development outlines:

- Redeveloping Riverside Precinct where uses include in excess of 60 apartments, retail, food and drink and where the development "frames views of Rotherham Minster"
- Retained businesses on Corporation Street (such as Costa and the Ring Shop) with improved routes through from Minster Gardens to riverside. New apartments here address the riverside
- Refurbishment and extension of existing vacant NatWest building to create new restaurant and bar overlooking the River Don and the Forge Island
- Residential apartment development in excess of 60 apartments on the Council's Riverside Car Park site

Regarding the Eastern riverbank and Corporation Street area, the masterplan states: "The Council will use its land ownership to work with existing landowners in a positive fashion to deliver the desired development. The existing private land owners will need to play a role in realising the vision for this area.

"Preliminary discussions with [commercial property consultancy] LSH have been encouraging and now detailed discussions are necessary.

"Meetings with existing landowners are a priority to gauge their appetite to help deliver the development vision in this area. Also their capacity for the same and how public sector support and land may assist. The aim will be to quickly ascertain the capacity and interest of existing land owners to invest and develop. Initial consultations suggest an interest to develop."

The intention is to promote development together using council land and private land to realise the masterplan vision. Some form of joint venture is envisaged, but if this does not prove possible CPO may be necessary to assemble the site for development.

The more transformational development opportunity involves relocating the proposed residential, retail and food and drink uses into the main development at Forge Island. This would lead to the demolition of many of the buildings on Corporation Street and the Riverside in order to create a larger riverside park linking with Minster Gardens.

The masterplan states: "This option has been drawn-up and illustrated and one benefit is the striking vista this would create of Rotherham Minster from Forge Island. This would involve the demolition of buildings within the Town Centre Conservation Area and Historic England have expressed their reservations about this option.

"This bolder option would only work if it was agreeable to the existing landowners and there are no plans for compulsory purchase in this area to facilitate this approach. Given the delivery risk associated with this option it has not been embedded within the draft masterplan. However, as dialogue takes place with existing landowners as envisaged for this area it will be appropriate to share with them the more radical plans to ascertain their feedback.

"If landowners are not amenable then the plans which retain them in-situ will be progressed. Meetings to ascertain the route to delivery in this area should be progressed as a next step. Following this the Council will refine its approach to the Eastern Riverbank (for the final draft masterplan) and progress work accordingly to deliver the vision."

Images: RMBC / WYG

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News: Feasibility study into potential new Rotherham theatre

The recently published masterplan has raised the issue of a new 500 seat theatre and arts centre in Rotherham town centre.

Currently, the Rotherham Civic Theatre accommodates a range of touring and local musical, comedy and theatrical performances. The building on Catherine Street is a converted church and was purchased by the Council prior to being converted into a theatre in 1960.

A review of the popular theatre was undertaken by the council in 2002 and in the following years, plans to replace the 380-seat Civic with a larger theatre combined with a new library and arts centre on Forge Island came forward as a proposed "Cultural Centre" in work on masterplans.

However, £540,000 was allocated in 2012 to carry out much-needed repairs and refurbishment of both the interior and exterior of the current theatre. The works were expected to bring the theatre up to a condition which would give a further ten years life.

Now, the latest masterplan from the Council, design company WYG Group and Lambert Smith Hampton, includes the potential development of an arts centre and theatre on the soon-to-be cleared site of the Law Courts. It could incorporate cafe / restaurant and creative / business space and a 500 seat theatre and studio theatre.

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Rotherham Council secured the site for £1 and are due to go out to tender soon for the demolition of the buildings that were vacated last year. The Council, which also owns the adjacent Forge Island, is set to take a scheme to market in September based on creating new leisure destination featuring a new cinema, bars, restaurants, and a quality hotel. Housing on the site, and surrounding sites, is also proposed along with a 300+ space multi-storey car park. Investment of over £50m is envisaged in these areas.

Regarding the Law Courts site, the masterplan states: "There is a window of opportunity to progress a Theatre and Arts Centre. This land is therefore excluded from the development partnering process at this moment to allow for a window of opportunity to investigate feasibility and funding. This responsibility falls with Rotherham Council.

"With favourable feasibility and funding, RMBC will deliver the scheme with external funding. Should feasibility and funding review conclude such a scheme is not possible, this land may return to the Council's development partner.

"The Council has a central role to play leading the Magistrates Court Theatre work and in coordinating and promoting positive change on the eastern riverbank.

"The next step is to commission a feasibility study and to produce a business plan for the theatre. This will need to confirm floor areas through a more detailed study. It will also need to identify demand for each component part, to include: Artistic content – main and studio theatre; Artistic content - flexible space; Managed workspace for creative businesses; Food and beverage offer.

"There may be specific content for children and young people within the Arts Centre. The challenge for RMBC is to secure necessary funding through Arts Council England. Whilst there may be some regeneration funding available from the Council for wider regeneration activity it would not be appropriate for the Arts Centre to be paid for wholly by the council but Rotherham will look to champion and bring in from Arts Council England."

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The masterplan has a strong focus on boosting the leisure uses in the town centre, which along with further housing, is expected to improve vitality, attract more visitors and keep people in the area. The plans discuss the importance of the night time economy.

WYG's project director Andrew Clarke, who originates from Rotherham, said: "A mature and grown-up approach is needed which can create a more appealing cultural offer.

"Clearly like in any town centre, people can come to Rotherham, enjoy themselves and have a few too many drinks. But the idea of Rotherham being a place where people go and get drunk (and then go and get a take-away) must and is changing. New uses will help, for example the cinema, hotel and theatre. There will be more to do and a wider cross section of people using the town."

People can view the plans and speak to consultants at the Masterplan exhibition which will take place in All Saints' Square (in the old Thornton's unit) today (June 28) from 11am until 7pm. There will also be a display of the concept drawings for people to view in the Riverside library gallery in the town centre up to the 6th July.

Images: RMBC / WYG / Google Maps

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News: Key projects in Rotherham town centre masterplan

Rothbiz takes a look at the key sites and "catalyst" projects in the Rotherham town centre masterplan that was launched this week.

Forge Island
Seen as the major catalyst project in picking up the momentum for the town's regeneration, the plans reiterate the desire for a leisure, retail and residential development around the riverside. Previously the Rotherham Forge & Rolling Mills, the 1.57 hectare site has recently been fully cleared following the relocation of Tesco across town in 2014. Currently used as a car park which will be extended for at least another year, the site is now owned by Rotherham Council.

Developers, investors and operators are showing a keen interest in working up proposals for a five screen cinema, 60-bed hotel, food outlets, bars and cafes. A 300+ space multi storey car park is also in the plans and a feasibility study is being carried out on the potential of a new theatre and arts space on the site of the former Law Courts, which is also owned by the Council. A hydro-electric power system could be incorporated on the weir.

Andrew Clarke, a director of urban design at consultants WYG who was project director for the masterplan said: "Forge Island is key and work is already underway following the Council's acquisition.

"Developers are telling us that there is a market for a commercial development like this, including brands in the food and drink sector. Yes, it is commercial but it is also about creating a new, high quality riverside frontage."

The Council is searching for a development partner and is set to take a detailed brief to the market in September 2017.

The Riverside
Housing is set to play a key role in bringing more people into Rotherham town centre. Government cash has also already been secured for £30m of housing development on Council-owned sites. One of which is the site of the former Sheffield Road swimming baths which has the potential for 158 units.

It is hoped that the masterplan will also stimulate further residential development nearby, for example on the land between Westgate and Main Street which is earmarked for a mix of uses, predominately housing, but is currently home to the Royal Mail sorting office, BT's telephone exchange and land used for car parking.

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Damien Wilson, strategic director of regeneration and environment at Rotherham Council, said: "The focus will be on quality, with homes, including car parking, in a riverside location. With improved connectivity like the tram-train coming next year, we have to think about our relationship to Sheffield. Being able to offer people more for their money with good connectivity presents a good opportunity."

Proposals also show an amount of demolition on Corporation Street following discussions with property owners and tenants. Retaining the former Natwest Bank, further leisure, retail and residential development would be enhanced by open space between the Minster, Minster Gardens and Forge Island.

The Markets
The popularity of the markets has "kept the town alive" but parts of the complex on Drummond Street are underutilised. Following consultation, the masterplan proposes a simple solution to enhance the existing site and improve linkages to the nearby £40m Tesco Extra store. The demolition of Council-owned units around the edge of the outdoor covered market is proposed with a new attractive stepped entrance and space for a new community advice hub.

Andrew Clarke explained: "The entrances to the market are not particularly attractive, especially onto Drummond Street. By removing some of the building and improving the public realm improves the visual appearance and opens up the architectural features that are already there such as the roof canopies."

Further public realm improvements could also take place in Effingham Square near Tesco and the bus station and "College Fields" could be created between the market and college campus.

The Interchange
Funding is in place for a £12.5m revamp of the town's bus station with architects at Jefferson Sheard well underway with the latest plans for the site which also includes a multi-storey car park and retail units.

Doncaster Gate
Led by the RNN Group, work is due to start imminently on a £12m Higher Education (HE) campus that is scheduled for completion in autumn 2018. Key to boosting the local economy, the 44,000 sq ft campus will also provide enough space to eventually house 1,000 students, boosting footfall in the town centre.

Doncaster Gate could also be connected to the heritage-led regeneration that has already taken place on Rotherham's High Street. With the unique Grimm & Co on the corner, transport and public realm works could tie the two together and enhance the setting of the magical literacy charity.

Guest & Chrimes
With the aim to create a focus for recreation and sporting activity in the town, mixed leisure development proposals are being prepared by Rotherham United Football Club, who controls the site via a long leasehold. Whilst proposals are being finalised by the club, the masterplanners have mocked up a proposed vision for the Grade II listed building turned into a "new and exciting destination leisure offering, with potential for very significant numbers of visitors each year."

Main Street
Most recently used as a nightclub and car parking relating to the Council offices, proposals here to compliment the town centre include a new larger format discount-convenience food store along with ancillary large format retail units alongside a drive-thru café / food and drink unit.

Images: RMBC / RUFC

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News: New masterplan comes at a "crucial and exciting" time for Rotherham

A draft of the new Rotherham town centre masterplan is garnering interest from developers, institutional investors and a leading hotel group, all keen to find out the opportunities available.

The urban designer bringing together the new town centre masterplan gave an exclusive first look at the latest drafts at the first meeting of the Rotherham Pioneers and explained that the focus is on implementation and being ambitious but realistic.

Project director Andrew Clarke, who originates from Rotherham, is a director of Urban Design at consultants WYG. He told the attendees: "This is a crucial and exciting time for Rotherham and its town centre and we are at a key point with the draft proposals."

The plan is due to be made public in May so it is still work in progress, but the idea is for it, and the town, to be commercially focused and pragmatic, but bold at the same time, with the delivery of exceptional projects.

The plan will look to use the town's assets as key positive features - the river, heritage, the market. Key projects include a proposed £43m leisure hub on Forge Island and a number of high quality schemes to boost the number of houses.

Clarke, who obviously knows the mindset of many Rotherham residents, added: "I'd like people who look at the masterplan to say: "you've no chance" because in three years time they'll be saying "I never thought they'd do that."

Previous plans, such as Rotherham Renaissance were hit by the global economic downturn and the withdrawal of Government funding. Completed projects include the redeveloped train station, New York Stadium and the heritage-led regeneration on the High Street. Future projects include the HE campus and revamp of the bus station.

Clarke added: "One thing that makes a difference and will make it happen is the local authority-owned land. We have a Council who is being pro-active and offering developers control.

"There'll be different delivery options as the Council seeks partners but we have got to get quality. We have to set new standards."

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The plan will place a lot of onus on Forge Island being a catalyst project. The Council recently concluded a deal to acquire the key regeneration site from Tesco. With the law courts and Riverside Preceint also being acquired, the wider development incorporating Forge Island and adjacent sites could deliver a 25,000 sq ft cinema, 20,000 sq ft hotel and 6,000 sq ft of restaurants and bars.

Government cash has also bee secured for £30m of housing development on Council-owned sites.

Damien Wilson, strategic director of regeneration and environment at Rotherham Council, was also at the Rotherham Pioneers event. He said: "The masterplan is about deliverability and we are taking these projects to the market. We took a brief to MIPIM, the global property event, and we've met with institutional investors who have targeted Rotherham. It could be for individual projects, it could be for the whole thing."

Wilson also revealed that talks have been held with cinema operators and the Hilton Hotels group.

Attendees were shown computer generated images of how the high quality development projects could look - hotels and leisure on Forge Island responding to the Minster and new riverside housing.

One thing that Clarke admitted was that "retail is not the answer" as the focus shifts to other town centre uses such as leisure and housing. "Like the rest of the UK, we are challenged. We cannot compete with Meadowhall and Parkgate Shopping," he said. "I think the town's retail offer will need to be consolidated, it is quite spread out."

One retail asset set to remain is the town's market, where a revamp to take advantage of the £40m Tesco Extra store has been mooted for years.

The plan is set to become an important tool in marketing the wider town centre to potential investors and encouraging further regeneration and improvement. It is also set to cover transport issues in more detail, including the preparation of a car parking strategy for the town.

Clarke concluded: "The town centre is a little jewel. It just needs moving in the right direction."

WYG website
Rotherham Pioneers website

Images: Rotherham Pioneers

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News: WYG working on Rotherham town centre masterplan

WYG Group has been selected from 14 companies to work with Rotherham Council to develop a masterplan for Rotherham town centre.

The follow-up piece of work will build on the work of consultants, Arup, and become an important tool in marketing the wider town centre to potential investors and encouraging further regeneration and improvement. It is also set to cover transport issues in more detail, including the preparation of a car parking strategy for the town.

It is set to provide "bold and deliverable solutions for leisure, retail, recreation and town centre living" and explains that "a step change in the retail offer of the town is required to revive the sector and ensure that it meets modern needs and requirements."

At a cost of around £130,000, consultants at WYG are expected to identify national retail trends, and the future role and purpose of Rotherham in an increasingly competitive market. A review of requirements for retail in Rotherham is required, as is an assessment of the impact of the new Tesco superstore and the possible re-alignment of the town's retail offer.

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Project director Andrew Clarke, who originates from Rotherham, so knows the town well, said: "We're looking forward to working on an exciting and ambitious plan for the town and building on the good work undertaken to date. I want this commission to be part of the next stage in the town centre’s regeneration and to help focus attention on the actions needed to make a real difference on the ground.

"The masterplan will take forward the improvements and changes envisaged in the Supplementary Planning Document and draw together other town centre initiatives. We will bring proposals to life and will test what is possible. We will ensure proposals are realistic and deliverable, striking the right balance of ambition and pragmatism. Our work will help market town centre development opportunities to potential investors. This is very much an investment plan geared towards unlocking positive change in Rotherham town centre."

The masterplan will also provide further details on how the town centre will be developed over coming years, including the development of sites to provide an improved leisure offer and increase the number of town centre residents, as well as improving linkages for people to move around the town centre.

Cllr. Denise Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, said: "We are delighted to have WYG Group working on this key piece of work and to welcome Andrew and his team to Rotherham. Meanwhile, work will continue to develop proposals for key sites in the town, including Forge Island, alongside the masterplan. This will allow us to begin construction work as soon as is practically possible, whilst ensuring the developments sit comfortably within the bigger picture being created for Rotherham town centre."

The Council was working to a timetable geared towards producing a draft masterplan by April 2017.

WYG website

Images: High Flix / YouTube

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