Talks over 500-bed hotel at Magna

MAGNA has held talks with Government officials over developing a convention centre and 500-bed hotel, the tourist attraction’s boss revealed.

Chief executive John Silker said discussions had taken place with UK Trade & Investment over plans which could bring £10 million a year in revenue.

Mr Silker raised the subject while objecting to a proposed waste treatment plant next door to Magna at Templeborough, citing potential odour problems.

But energy firm Rolton Kilbride won planning permission for the £160 million facility on the former Sterecycle site, which will create 42 jobs.

Rolton Kilbride managing director Andrew Needham said there was a pressing need for renewable and sustainable energy - and to deal with residual waste from recycling.

“Our proposal offers a solution to both of these issues,” he added.

The energy centre will convert up to 215,000 tonnes of rubbish a year into power through gasification - a new process where waste is baked not burned.

Mr Silker told last Thursday’s planning board meeting that Magna and UKTI were looking for investors and the development could eventually create 500 jobs.

Mr Silker said: “We lose roughly £1 million a year from conferences that move out of South Yorkshire due to lack of hotel capacity.”

Visitors might be put off return trips if smells from the new neighbours were similar to the problems at Sterecycle, he added.

Magna education officer Stuart Ballard said the prevailing wind direction down the Don Valley would mean Magna received the full effect of any odours.

Councillors passed the plans by eight votes to one and work is expected to begin on site before the end of 2017, with the centre set to open within three years.

Rolton Kilbride’s planning application included an odour assessment and Mr Needham said it would set up a liaison group for residents.

Sterecycle was found guilty of corporate manslaughter after an employee was killed in a 2011 explosion. It closed in 2013.