Minister visits Waverley New Community

Business Minister Ian Lucas MP, has visited South Yorkshire to see plans for the proposed new £100million Waverley Community in Rotherham. The 741 acre site, owned by UK COAL, covers an area bigger than Sheffield city centre and is in the final stages of restoration following the closure of the coke works there in 1990.

The development will transform the disused Brownfield site into a thriving new community. Its completion over the next 20 years will create a bustling town of 9,000 people. Around 4,000 new homes will be built, along with shops, restaurants, schools, leisure facilities, health and community centres and parks. Harworth Estates, the property arm of UK COAL, and planners BNP Paribas have worked with the local community to bring this plan to the public and are currently awaiting approval of outline planning from Rotherham Borough Council.

Ian Lucas is a Minister at the newly formed Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, with particular responsibility for business sectors including manufacturing, engineering, construction and aerospace as well as sustainable development and regulation.

On his visit Mr Lucas was also shown the Advanced Manufacturing Park, which sits alongside the site and the proposed location for the development of Highfield Commercial, a joint venture between UK COAL plc and Helical Governetz. The development aims to provide offices for government departments as part of an initiative to move activities into Yorkshire creating 7,000 new jobs, which will provide a critical boost to the region’s economy as a whole.

Sue Anderson, director of management operations at Harworth Estates, the property arm of UK COAL added: "We were delighted to welcome Ian Lucas to South Yorkshire and give him some insight into how this region is making significant steps towards building sustainable futures and creating a centre of excellence for advanced manufacturing industries."