Outdoor enthusiasts back Waverley
Plans to bring 25 kilometres of new and restored footpaths, cycle routes and bridleways will deliver real and sustained benefits for the surrounding communities of Rotherham and Sheffield, say riders and ramblers.
Representatives from Harworth Estates (UK COAL’s property arm) and Richard Pett from Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC), met with outdoor enthusiasts to explain the site’s public access proposals.
The meeting discussed plans to link neighbouring communities, towns and cities, with an aim to encourage cycling as a transport option for the future and concluded with a visit to the Waverley site.
John Harker, chairman of the Rotherham Local Access Forum (LAF), said: "UK COAL and RMBC are to be commended for the work being carried out on the public access proposals.
"This is an exciting prospect which will eventually deliver real and sustained benefits for the surrounding communities and for visitors from further afield. It will also help deliver government targets for sustainable transport and public health.
"As chairman of the Forum I would like to see this site become an exemplar for developing and testing all the best ideas and practices in countryside access management. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that must not be missed."
Visitors also heard details of when routes will open, outline proposals for developments, broader car parking and disabled access issues and the overall timescale of the site development.
Ken Whetter, member of the Rotherham group of the Ramblers’ Association (RA), said: "Rotherham Ramblers Association is keen to ensure the development at Waverley provides a comprehensive network to public footpaths and bridleways for recreational and health purposes, both for its residents and for the adjoining areas of population.
"I am pleased UK Coal and its project managers and consultants have liaised closely with RMBC and interested parties, including the RA and local parish councils about the developments and have continued to keep us all in touch.
"It is important all local residents and cyclists, horse riders and walkers will be able to easily access these new facilities and to ensure footpaths and access routes from all the neighbouring areas are linked up. The plans clearly show the thought and consideration that has gone into the re-development of the site."
Other interested parties attended the meeting, including representatives from the Waverley Liaison Group (WLG) and Vince Boulter, writer of the guide book, ‘The Sheffield Country Walk’.
Vince said: "In the 1970s I created a long distance path of 53 miles, which goes all the way round the border of Sheffield passing the Waverley site and the historic Treeton glass kiln.
"It is very exciting to hear about the rights of way in Waverley being reinstated and extended, with a complete circular bridleway around the site linking up with the Trans Pennine Trail via the proposed bridleway bridge over the Sheffield Parkway."
Sue Anderson, director designate for Harworth Estates, said: "We are thrilled that representatives from the Ramblers Association, Local Access Forum and other outdoor enthusiasts are backing the public access plans at Waverley.
"All these groups gave their time to see the plans and see the potential of what can be achieved on the site. If planning permission is granted, Waverley will be a development Rotherham and Sheffield will be proud of in years to come."
Harworth Estates and Atisreal submitted an outline planning application to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) in August 2008 for a sustainable, high density, mixed use community, including approximately 4,000 houses, community facilities and green areas.
Planning permission has already been granted for the Advanced Manufacturing Park and Highfield Commercial. The residential development forms the third planning application on the 741 acre site.
For more information about the Waverley community proposals please visit www.waverleycommunity.org.uk.
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