Advanced Manufacturing Park expansion "will not cause congestion"

Highways England had initially flagged concerns about the growing AMP’s plan to provide up to 40,000 square metres more space for industry and offices at the hi-tech campus.

Indicative plans show 11 units at the site at Catcliffe, where supercar manufacturer McLaren is moving into its £50 million chassis factory.

The layout also shows space for 482 parking spaces but the new travel plan promises to promote car-sharing, cycling and public transport.

Rotherham Borough Council development manager Nigel Hancock said: “The main issue was the impact on the Parkway and junction 33 of the M1 because they are close to capacity.

“The additional information in the travel plan does demonstrate that, with measures in place, the impact will be at an acceptable level. 

“Highways England have now accepted this, as have our own highways colleagues.”

Plans to flatten the land were approved in 2012 in preparation for this next step. 

Landowners Harworth Estates said it would build on the success so far of attracting world-leading manufacturers.

More focus will be given to the design of new factories which, sitting beside McLaren’s, will be more visible from the Parkway.

Meanwhile, the number of parking spaces at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre Training Centre will rise from 71 to 145.

The building, opened in 2014, is used to teach hundreds of apprentices, some of whom are there full-time and others who visit weekly.

Planning board member Cllr Bob Walsh said: “The public are quite deeply aggrieved at the current parking arrangements, where the students park more or less wherever they can. It’s quite clear that there hasn’t been enough provision.

“This looks to be a very pragmatic solution.”