Works begin at mixed-use ‘heart of the community’ scheme
Property business Harworth Group says construction has started on Olive Lane, a mixed-use development at its Waverley development in Rotherham, following planning approval in November.
Harworth has also confirmed two key steps towards the scheme’s delivery: completion of a sale to developer Sky-House to build 50 homes as well as its new HQ within the Olive Lane development; and secondly, an agreement with NHS England and Rotherham Council to allow construction of the site’s medical centre to begin.
A ground-breaking event has taken place at the site, attended by representatives of Harworth, Rotherham Council, the Waverley Community Council, Sky-House and Forge New Homes, who are also building new homes at Olive Lane.
They were joined by teams who will be involved in delivery of the project, including construction contractor Lindum Group, architects CODA, landscape architects PWP Design, civil engineer BE Design, planning consultant Stantec and project/cost manager Edge.
Once finished, Olive Lane will provide convenience retail, cafés and restaurants, alongside the new medical centre.
It will comprise a pedestrianised high street with 21,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space, linking the Waverley residential neighbourhood with the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).
The high street and associated public realm have been designed by local architect CODA to create an inviting space that bridges the architectural styles of the residential area and the AMP.
Olive Lane is intended to become a new social hub for Waverley residents and workers at the AMP further enhancing the amenities already available on site, which include 310 acres of green space, a school, pub, community garden and learn-to-ride cycle track.
Harworth has completed a two-acre land sale to Sky-House to develop an additional 50 homes next to Olive Lane’s high street, alongside a headquarters for the company and a small amount of retail and leisure space.
The new properties will comprise family homes as well as apartments.
This is Harworth’s fourth transaction with the regional housebuilder at Waverley, and follows a land sale late in 2022 to allow Sky-House to develop Waverley Central, a new 106-home scheme which is also close to Olive Lane.
Completion of the high street element of the scheme, including the medical centre, is anticipated by the end of 2024, after which fit-out works for the retail and leisure units will begin.
Ed Catchpole, regional director for Yorkshire & Central at Harworth, said: “We are very excited to be starting work on Olive Lane, and to have completed this land sale to Sky-House, a trusted partner who shares our vision for making Waverley an attractive, vibrant and inclusive community.
David Cross, founder and director of Sky-House Co, added: “Our fourth deal with Harworth at Waverley is particular exciting as it helps provide the final and most crucial piece of the jigsaw in delivering a true heart of the community.
“Olive Lane fully represents our design-led and low carbon ethos as a business and our decision to move our headquarters there anticipates the vibrant place that it will become.”
