Underused site to be transformed into attractive public space

Proposals put forward by the council include a pedestrianised walk through from the flagship Forge Island development and a public space.

Riverside Gardens is intended to be a gateway to the heart of the town centre.

It will offer residents a place to socialise close to new amenities such as the Arc Cinema, a 69-room hotel, and a range of restaurants and bars on Forge Island, which is being delivered in partnership with placemaker, Muse.

Cabinet member for social inclusion, Councillor David Sheppard, said: “Riverside Gardens will transform an underused site to fantastic public space which will allow residents to connect with the river and nature.

“It will be a great addition to the green spaces in the town centre, providing nearby residents with a space where they can meet and feel the benefits of nature.

“I am glad to see that the riverside, home to some of our favourite wildlife, will be easily accessed and enjoyed by all members of our communities.”

The scheme will be funded by the Future High Streets Fund following on from the council’s successful bid for a total of £12.6m for public realm schemes in the town centre.

Riverside Gardens will complement the wider Town Centre Regeneration Masterplan to bring major investment into the heart of Rotherham’s cultural and leisure quarter, and town centre housing.

Along with the Riverside Gardens scheme, other redevelopments in the Master Plan will begin soon.

More disused buildings which overlook Riverside Gardens will also be redeveloped as part of the Culture and Leisure Quarter.

Rotherham Council’s assistant director of planning, regeneration and transport, Simon Moss, said: “More and more people are choosing to move into the town centre, thanks to the fantastic range of housing available at the nearby Westgate Chambers, Milford Rise, Westgate Riverside and Wellgate Place.

“With increasing numbers of people coming into the town centre, it makes business more viable and we are already starting to see new and independent businesses investing in Rotherham.”