Revised proposals to restore cultural heart of town centres set for approval

Feedback from the public has helped to update plans to revive the cultural heart of both town centres and create better public places. The plans will be considered by senior councillors at their Cabinet meeting on 29 July.

The £8.9m library and public space project planned for Wath will include:

• A new modern library building with the existing library to be demolished
• New commercial spaces to attract business
• Improvements to green spaces
• Improvements to the Biscay Way car park

The redevelopment is intended to enhance the visitor experience between Biscay Way and the High Street to encourage visitors into the town centre.

At Dinnington, the £11m council project will replace old buildings and market stalls with six new commercial units and a large building, which could be used by the community and for commerce.

These buildings will overlook a landscaped town square, which will be home to new market stalls that will be stored when not in use.

The project will also provide better walkways between Laughton Road, the bus interchange and the car park on Constable Lane.

Buildings and public space designs are now being finalised and it is expected they will be submitted in a planning application later this year.

Cabinet member for transport, jobs and the local economy, Councillor Robert Taylor, said: “We aim to deliver regeneration throughout Rotherham, creating a legacy of high-quality, well-connected places and neighbourhoods.

“We expect these large-scale improvements to boost our town centre economies and create greater variety in what they offer visitors.

“No doubt the projects will also increase the sense of local pride once people are able to see and enjoy these impressive new buildings and surroundings.”

Building works on the two projects are expected to start in autumn 2024 with an aim for them to be completed by spring 2026.

Rotherham Council submitted bids for Levelling Up funding to the former Westminster Government in 2022, and it pledged to fund the two Rotherham schemes in 2023.

Rotherham Council is backing the projects with grants from its Towns and Villages Fund.

The council’s Cabinet will also receive an update on plans to provide a new waterfront café and car parking at Rother Valley Country Park and a refurbishment of the café and new outside space at Thrybergh Country Park. Both of these projects are due to be completed by March 2026.