Sights set on a house at Waverley

More than 100 residents from Handsworth turned up to find out more about UK COAL’S plans to build a new sustainable community, by re-energising the brownfield former Waverley industrial site between Rotherham and Sheffield.

UK COAL and planners Atisreal submitted an outline planning application to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in August for a sustainable, high density, mixed use community, including approximately 4,000 houses, community facilities and green areas.

This month the proposals, which would transform the former coke works and mining site near Catcliffe in South Yorkshire into a high quality residential and employment site, have been presented at a series of public consultation events across the region.

Handsworth resident, Charlotte Bailey, is so impressed by proposals for the new Waverley community that she is already planning to live there.

She said: “It’s a fantastic proposal. We hope to move to Waverley in around seven to ten years, when the development is really starting to come together.

“There are many reasons why we’d like to live on the site. The sustainable community and energy saving features are a benefit for us, it’s getting increasingly important to look after the environment and it should be a factor when regenerating an area of this size.

“Plus, the proposals for the bus rapid transit are an excellent idea. My partner doesn’t drive so this will be good for him, but we also love the idea of having everything in close vicinity. From community facilities through to green spaces and transport links, the site would have it all.”

Representatives from Harworth Estates, (UK COAL’s property arm), Atisreal, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, and advisors including Jacobs attended the public meetings.

Presentations were given on proposals for the Waverley new community, Helical Governetz, the public transport interchange and park and ride, and the proposed Waverley Link Road.

Charlotte added: “The presentations were very useful to gain a broader background of each of the planning applications. The more I hear about the proposals the more I feel it will be brilliant.”

Sue Anderson, director designate for Harworth Estates, said: “Even though the plans have been submitted to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council it is still extremely important that we continue to listen to the views of the community during the whole process.

“Those who attended the meetings were asked to fill in a feedback form, so if they do have any questions or concerns we will endeavour to respond to them where necessary.”

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.