Developer breaks ground on next phase of major employment scheme
A ground-breaking ceremony has been held to mark the start of work on the next phases of Harworth Group’s Gateway 36 development.
Following the scheme’s first phase which has delivered over 250 new jobs to the borough, Barnsley Council has granted Harworth Group consent for 1.1m sq ft for its next two phases which could deliver a further 2,500 jobs.
The development is one of the major initiatives identified in the Barnsley Jobs and Business Plan to create more and better jobs for residents and attract more businesses to the borough.
Formerly home to the Rockingham Colliery, the overall site covers 127 acres and is adjacent to the Dearne Valley Parkway.
Gateway 36’s next two phases include proposed units suitable for light and general industrial use, as well as storage and distribution.
Consent has also been granted for a new link road from the existing Shortwood Roundabout, running south to serve phase two, alongside a new roundabout on the Dearne Valley Parkway with an arm to the north to serve phase three.
All three phases of Gateway 36, alongside nearby employment and residential land, have been unlocked as part of a £17.1m funding package from the Sheffield City Region Investment Fund (SCRIF).
Councillor Tim Cheetham, cabinet spokesman for Place, Barnsley Council, said: “We are looking forward to the development of the next phases of this site.
“Phase one has attracted some major businesses to the area, and these additional units are sure to be in high demand.
“This is a challenging time, and the creation of more job opportunities, now and the future, is vital.
“Working with our partners, Gateway 36 has been a big success. We are committed to providing additional high-quality commercial units on this site and welcoming more businesses to the borough.”
Chris Davidson, associate director at Harworth Group, said: “Breaking ground is a statement of our intent to deliver new development quickly in an economy where good quality industrial space is at a premium.
“We want to deliver the high-value employment that the council’s faith and the City Region’s investment merits and I look forward to us building the scheme out over the next five years.”
