Compulsory Purchase Order lined up for former night club

Previously the buildings at 3-7 Corporation Street were used as a night club but have remained disused and derelict following fire damage in 2007.

Since then, the council says it has worked with the landowners to encourage them to redevelop the building and to make the area safe for members of the public.

Rotherham’s cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, Councillor Denise Lelliott, said: “These burned out buildings are situated in a prominent position in Rotherham town centre with the poor appearance of the site detracting from the appearance and vitality of the town, and this is having significant negative impact on the surrounding area.

“Unfortunately, negotiations to acquire the building by agreement with the landowners have been unsuccessful to date, making the Compulsory Purchase Order a necessary alternative to bringing the site to beneficial economic use.

“By looking to enact a Compulsory Purchase Order, we aim to redevelop the site for the benefit of residents and visitors to the town centre as part of our Town Centre Masterplan.”

An application for planning permission to demolish the derelict buildings and redevelop the site to provide a mixed-use residential scheme has already been submitted.

The council says this scheme will contribute to plans to develop Rotherham’s Cultural Quarter to complement the work taking place to develop Forge Island as well as the nearby Riverside Residential Quarter.