Plans for £10m retail scheme announced

PLANS to transform a former school site into a new £10m shopping destination in Barnsley have been revealed by Rothstone Estates.

The family-owned developer is proposing to redevelop the six-acre site, the former home of Foulstone School in Darfield, to include a Lidl foodstore with a sales area of 21,160 sq ft plus six smaller shops, with terms agreed so far with Sainsbury’s for a 4,200 sq ft convenience store and Heron Foods for a 4,000 sq ft unit.

There would be a car park with 180 spaces and the developer is also submitting an outline planning application for 39 new homes.

It is believed the scheme will create up to 80 new jobs.

Before the application is submitted, Rothstone Estates is holding three consultation events from between November 7 and 9 to enable local people to view and discuss the plans, ask questions and provide feedback.

Mark Rothery, managing director of Rothstone Estates, said: “This development would provide a much needed boost to local retail facilities as well as a significant number of new jobs. Currently Darfield residents have very limited choice, so many people have to travel out of the village to carry out their shopping. The new scheme would provide convenient access to a range of shops all targeted at meeting the needs of the local community.

“As well as the retail element, our proposal would also offer benefits for pedestrians with space for public realm and a new footpath running through the site, directly into Darfield Park making it much easier for people to access it.”

Rothstone Estates is aiming to submit the application by the end of this year.

If approved, construction is likely to start in June 2014, which means the new Lidl foodstore and other shops could be open by December 2014.

If the outline planning application for the housing is approved, a developer would need to be secured before construction could start.