Former coal field site scheme backed by government
PLANS to develop former mining land between Rotherham and Sheffield creating a major mixed-use scheme have been supported by the government.
The £100m project is planned for the former 230 hectare Orgreave open cast site in Waverley and land in Catcliffe.
The site at Waverley was one of Europe’s biggest mining operations and is bigger than Sheffield city centre.
The two planning applications propose 4,000 houses, shops, a hotel, retail and leisure facilities. The applications will now be considered by Rotherham Borough Council.
The applications were initially considered at Rotherham’s Planning Board in January but under planning regulations had to be sent to the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber for consideration.
The former 230 hectare Orgreave open cast site owned by UK Coal has been subject to an outline planning application by Harworth Estates.
A second application for offices, a hotel, retail and leisure facilities for Helical Governetz on land off Highfield Spring, Catcliffe, was also supported.
The authority said they had received confirmation from the government that they would allow the council to decide whether to grant planning permission.
