News: Rising costs sees Rotherham country park regeneration schemes scaled back

Proposed regeneration schemes at two country parks in Rotherham have had to be scaled back with Thrybergh impacted most. Government funding has been reallocated so that the projects can go ahead.

Securing money from the Government's Levelling Up Fund (LUF), £19.9m was awarded for a number of connected projects which aim to build a new leisure industry that responds to the challenges of economic recovery and health and well-being.

A £2.5m improvement plan for Thrybergh Country Park moved a step closer last year after plans for a new café building were approved by the council.

At Rother Valley Country Park, planning permission has been secured for a £5.5m upgrade - the centrepiece being a new waterfront café.

Contractors were also lined up to carry out the work but a new council report states that, following market testing, both projects required "revised budgets as a result of the impact of inflation and the volatile national and international construction market."

Rotherham Council's cabinet are being asked to approve the new way forward which means that there is a "reduced scope" for the Thrybergh scheme where a new café building has been scrapped and replaced by a refurbished café and outside space.

At Rother Valley, plans for a new build waterfront café and new car park would go ahead, with some aspects, such as a landscaped events space taken out.

The council report states: "This option delivers most closely to the original intentions of the LUF scheme in that it will achieve improvements at both sites, creating impact for residents and delivering the greatest economic benefits and supporting the financial recovery of Rother Valley Country Park. However, this is at a reduced scope to that set out to Cabinet in August 2023 and it comes at an additional cost."

There has been an overall increase in the programme budget of £2.310m.

With Pathfinder status, Rotherham is able to make changes to its government-funded regeneration programmes and now plans to not continue with using Town Deal money for its Parkgate-Eastwood Bridge scheme that has faced complexities around Network Rail infrastructure and private land issues. Money for the bridge is expected to be moved to the country park schemes if approved by cabinet.

At Rother Valley, contractors, Kier are set to proceed with construction of the new facilities in September 2024 with completion in October 2025. The tender with I&G Ltd for Thrybergh will not proceed and a new procurement exercise will be required.

The report adds: "Supporting the financial recovery of Rother Valley County Park is seen as a priority for the Leisure & Culture Service with the new build café and events space seen as a critical step in achieving that goal.

"The alterations to the café at Thrybergh Country Park will enhance the current offer with planned improvements to the kitchen facilities enabling an upgrade to the menu along with an increase in the number of outdoor covers and improved access between the indoor and outdoor dining experience."

Images: RMBC / Kier ? I&G

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News: Contractor confirmed for country park café

I&G has been appointed to develop a new, purpose built, environmentally friendly visitor centre and café at Thrybergh Country Park in Rotherham.

Securing money from the Government's Levelling Up Fund, £19.9m was awarded for a number of connected projects which aim to build a new leisure industry that responds to the challenges of economic recovery and health and well-being.

However, refinement of the proposals has been necessary due to "cost constraints, inflation and market challenges."

As reported by Rothbiz last month, Illingworth and Gregory Ltd (I&G) have been awarded the second stage of a two-stage design and build contract for the delivery of works at Thrybergh.

The new £2.5m facility will be built using modern methods of construction, with structurally insulated panels (SIPs) being manufactured offsite and erected in position, allowing a quicker, more efficient and more environmentally friendly process than a traditional build. The building will be in keeping with the natural environment of the country park, using timber from sustainable sources and natural materials which will blend into the greenery and water of its surroundings.

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The development, being delivered on behalf of Rotherham Council, will include a new café, visitor centre and educational facility for the local community to enjoy, alongside a new external teaching space and amphitheatre with stunning views across the reservoir.

Christopher Carline, I&G Managing Director, said: “Creating the building in this way using modern methods of construction will have a positive impact on the long term performance of the building in terms of its energy efficiency and carbon impact.

“Thrybergh Country Park is a beautiful spot, which attracts many visitors throughout the year, and we hope the new café and visitor centre will allow more people to enjoy the natural beauty of the area, as well as creating more opportunities for ecological education.”

Detailed design work is currently being developed, with work likely to begin on site early next year, and the buildings are expected to be completed by early autumn 2024.

I&G is a West Yorkshire-based construction company that has been operating across the North of England since 1972. The family company became part of the Sewell group in 2017 and is known for being experts at complex construction works in difficult environments, such as hospital wards, food production facilities and educational laboratories.

I&G website

Images: RMBC / I&G

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