News: Rotherham United stadium plans outlined

The outline planning application for a new 12,000-seater community stadium for Rotherham United highlights the regeneration and economic benefits that the development will bring to the town.


Project managers, Gleeds, planning consultants, Signet Planning and architects, The Miller Partnership have worked on the plans that show how the stadium will be located at the Guest and Chrimes and Gloystarne site on the edge of the town centre.

Also submitted are detailed plans for design and access and environmental assessments looking at the impacts on flooding, noise, transport, ecology and listed buildings.

Having a new stadium within the borough is expected to raise Rotherham's profile and help to attract players, sponsors and fans. It would also boost links to the local support base and the community by providing facilities for community use such as training and education.

The direct employment created by the development would see the club having a base for their 75 staff and the opportunity to create a further 10 jobs. It is also estimated that 200 jobs would be created for match days.

The plans show that the development will cover around 6.46 hectares with the stadium having a footprint of 1.94 hectares and the rest made up of parking for 500 cars and improved public realm.

The site was chosen due to the size, and as it is close to the town centre the use for a community stadium is appropriate. It is a good location for private and public transport and the development would bring brownfield land back into use and improve the public realm. A high profile, quality development fits well with the ambitions of the Rotherham Renaissance programme.

The plans state that "the club is considering other uses that could be made of the stadium site in the future that will complement the stadium.

"A separate application for any such sites - that may include proposals for a hotel, for example, will come forward at a later date."

Plans relating to the listed building on the site will also be submitted separately.

The plans highlight the positive impact on the local economy, estimating that the expenditure available from supporters would range from £375,000 to £625,000 per annum with League 2 attendances of 5,000, up to as much as £750,000 to £1.25m per annum with Championship football and attendances of 10,000.

The outline design of the stadium includes a seating deck in a bowl with a two-tier 20 metre-high main stand overlooking the river. The main stand will also include 18 private boxes and a hospitality / function suite for 300 people. A club shop is also to be included.

Floodlights would be required in the Western corners of the ground in addition to lighting across the main stand. A translucent roof may also be needed to enable sunlight onto the field.

The orientation is at the extreme edge of limits due to the constraints of the site boundaries - the river and railway line, and the main access is to be from the existing junction of Main Street and Don Street that is due to be improved. Vehicular access would be managed with the road becoming effectively pedestrian only around kick off times. A footbridge over the River Don to Water Street and Westgate may also be built.

Away fans are set to access the stadium via a new ramped pedestrian access to Main Street at the North West corner of the site. It is anticipated that coaches for away fans would be accommodated off Centenery Way as they were when games were played at Millmoor.

The flood risk of the site is addressed with plans to raise the land by 2.5 metres using infill to reduce the risk of flooding. Retaining walls, embankments and a drainage system are also planned.

The plans discuss the alternative sites shortlisted for a new stadium including private land at Centenary Way, the site of the former B&Q, a bus depot at Masbrough, Waverley, a depot at Hellaby, land adjacent to Parkgate Shopping, land on Meadowbank Road, land at Wingfield, Phoenix Sports Ground, a gravel works at Templeborough, greenfield land at Bassingthorpe Farm and at Kilnhurst.

The site of Millmoor is also discussed but plans state that "the long term future of the club could not be secured in negotiations with the owners."

With construction estimated to take 12 - 14 months, the club hopes to secure planning permission in the Autumn. This will allow the new stadium to be built for the start of the 2012/13 season.

Rotherham United website
Planning application

Images: Rotherham United / Sigent Planning