News: Work set to start on delayed Rotherham riverside revamp

Work on Riverside Gardens, a new public space on the opposite side of the River Don to Forge Island, will begin later this month, Rotherham Council has confirmed.

It had been hoped that the £4.1m project, which will include accessible routes from Market Street and Domine Lane, would be completed in time for the opening of Forge Island in 2024 but it has been hit by delays caused by rising costs during a lengthy procurement process.

Planning permission was approved in 2023 for a scheme using a mixture of soft and hard landscaping to create a gateway on an area extending from the demolished Riverside Precinct, covering the old abattoir site behind Market Street and passing the Old Market, Keppel Wharf and Westgate Chambers residential developments.

To address rising costs, the local authority combined the work together with other planned public realm improvements in the area on Corporation Street and Upper Millgate.

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The scheme will boast soft landscaped terraces, a riverside walk offering views of the River Don, natural play for children, new seating and improvements to footpaths and public spaces along Corporation Street, helping to make road crossings shorter. The work will also enable cyclists to travel in both directions on Corporation Street.

As a result of the work, the Riverside car park at the back of Corporation Street will permanently close on Monday April 28. Alternative nearby parking can be found at Forge Island and in the Scala car park at the bottom of Corporation Street.

Last year, Rotherham Council agreed to appoint C R Reynolds with the first stage of a two-stage design and build contract for the delivery of works. The second stage was previously given a contract price of £6.2m. The Humberside company has previously worked on the repair of nearby Centenary Way.

Cllr. Robert Taylor, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, said: “It’s an exciting time for the town centre and fantastic that we’re ready to forge ahead and start work on Riverside Gardens. The project will help create a clear, accessible and vibrant route between the town centre and Forge Island.

“The project will also provide a green space for residents and visitors to relax in, with connections to the river and nature for families to enjoy. I look forward to seeing the project develop and would like to encourage all our residents to visit Forge Island as we prepare to welcome two new restaurants soon.”

Riverside Gardens was previously given a 12-month schedule.

Forge Island is home to Arc Cinema and Travelodge Hotel, with new restaurants – Vetro Lounge and Sygnature Dish – both set to open this spring. Vetro Lounge’s grand opening will take place on Wednesday April 30.

Images: RMBC

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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 devlopment the devleoper 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: New heading for Rotherham sailing club

Contractors, Kier are making headway with a multimillion pound development at a Rotherham country park and now plans have been drafted for a new home for a local sailing club.

A £7.4m contract got underway at the end of 2024 for an improvement and regeneration project at Rother Valley Country Park in Rotherham, the centrepiece being a new waterfront café.

Rotherham Council confirmed last year that the scope for the project had reduced with some aspects of the orignal plans removed, affecting the future of Firbeck Sailing Club.

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A planning application from Kier and Rotherham Council explains: "A new visitors centre is being provided on the existing site historically occupied by Firbeck Sailing Club. A development site had been designated just south of the Water Sports & Activities Centre building to rehome Firbeck Sailing club, however, due to budgetary restrictions associated with redeveloping this site, a new location has been selected further south along the lake which will provides a more cost-effective location to construct a new boat storage and welfare facility for Firbeck Sailing Club."

The new site is closer to the Cable Waterski & Aqua Park - the North of England's biggest cable wake park.

Proposals are to construct a sailing club with parking spaces, boat bays and a welfare unit. The secure storage compound also includes a slipway.

Built on grassland, the propsal will result in both the permanent and temporary loss and/or alteration of some of the habitats located on the proposed re-development site. Consultant's reports and the council's ecology department make a number of reccomendations regarding the loss of habitats and biodiversity net gain.

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.

At Rother Valley, physical works were programmed to commence in Autumn 2024 and complete in Autumn 2025.

Images: Firbeck Sailing Club / Facebook

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News: SMH Payroll expands into new office in Rotherham

SMH Payroll, part of the SMH Group, has relocated to a new office in Rotherham as it continues to expand its payroll services offering. The move marks an important milestone in the firm’s growth, providing additional space and facilities to support both clients and employees.

SMH Payroll provides comprehensive payroll solutions, including payroll processing, pension auto-enrolment, and compliance support, allowing businesses to focus on their operations while ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time.

Andrew Senior, Head of SMH Payroll, said: “This move is an exciting step forward for SMH Payroll. Our continued growth means we needed a larger space to accommodate our expanding team and evolving client needs.”

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SMH has office space on Mansfield Road in Rotherham town centre.

The new office reflects SMH Payroll’s commitment to delivering a high-quality, outsourced payroll service to businesses across the region. As payroll compliance and regulations become increasingly complex, the firm is focused on ensuring businesses have access to expert payroll management that keeps them compliant and operating efficiently.

The move aligns with SMH Group’s long-term strategy of expanding its service offering to meet the needs of businesses across Yorkshire and Derbyshire. With expertise spanning a wide range of services including accounting, financial planning, commercial finance, and payroll, the firm is a trusted partner for businesses seeking a full suite of professional services.

SMH website

Images: SMH

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News: Signs are that NatWest are taking Rotherham call centre building

NatWest, the major UK-based retail and commercial bank, appears to be taking on a vacant building in the Manvers area of Rotherham.

A planning application has recently been approved for new signage at Callflex Business Park showing that the company intends to use Unit 6, also known as Discovery House.

Recruitment for Customer Service Advisors based in the building began in February after refurbishment completed last year.

NatWest took on the large Cyan Building at Adwick Park in Manvers in 2007 when RBS Group plc, now known as NatWest Group plc, moved their Lombard business across Rotherham.

Lombard is one of the UK's leading asset finance providers and started out as the North Central Wagon and Finance Company in Rotherham in 1861.

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Unit 6 at Callflex is 33,822 sq ft and was previously used as a call centre by the The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Rothbiz reported in 2022 that at least 1,000 jobs were at risk over DWP's planned closure of 13 processing sites, including Rotherham.

Records indicate that Ashfield District Council operates the Callflex building as an investment property.

Also at Manvers, the Concentrix Call Centre at Adwick Park has been put up for sale as an investment.

At 62,652 sq ft over two floors on a 4.95 acre site, there is car parking either side of the building providing 440 car spaces.

The property is let on an FRI lease to Telecom Service Centres Ltd (TCS). The lease was re-geared last year on a ten year term from March 2024 at £430,000 per annum with a tenant option to break March 2029. TCS has been in occupation since 1999.

Concentrix Corporation is based in the United States with operations around the world, including the UK business entity, Telecom Service Centres Ltd. It has previously operated under the name, Webhelp. Concentrix set out plans in 2023 to buy Paris-based outsourcing and consultancy firm Webhelp in a $4.8 billion deal.

AP Investment and Andrew Dixon & Company are marketing the Manvers property for sale having been instructed to seek offers in excess of £4m.

Images: AP Investment / Knight Frank

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