Revamp plans "to put town on map"

Developer Quora Developments has submitted an application to build the new store - which would create 70 jobs - on the former council depot and Lantern Engineering site, just off Hamilton Road.

An application for an Aldi supermarket on the site was approved in October and Home Bargains is now seeking permission to convert to the former council depot - next to the engineering firm - into their latest branch.

Members of Maltby Town Council are also hoping to work with Rotherham Borough Council to regenerate High Street and the surrounding area.

Cllr Jenny Andrews said the town council hoped to buy a plot of land off Walters Road and turn it into a car park.

She said: “I’ve had so many people come up to me and tell me they want the High Street back to how it used to be, so we have started the ball rolling.

“We want to get the town thriving again and these plans could put it on the map. 

“It’s what people in Maltby want and I think it’s what they deserve.”

Cllr Andrews said she would like to see a market on the Walters Road site but plans are yet to be discussed.

Cllr Richard Price, also of Maltby Town Council, said the Home Bargains store could bring 70 jobs to the town.

He said: “The site has fallen into a state of disrepair and there has been a lot of anti-social behaviour so it will be good to get it back into use.

“It’s become a real eyesore and people in Maltby have been facing a 45-minute bus ride into Rotherham to do their shopping so it’s a very welcome scheme.”

Planning permission to build 35 homes on the former depot was granted in 2014 but no homebuilders have shown an interest.

The latest plans still include homes on the site but the number is yet to be confirmed.

Cllr Jenny Andrews and fellow town councillor Janet Law raised the issue of regenerating High Street at a Maltby Town Council meeting last week.

Cllr Law said: “Staff from Rotherham Council are going to come up and look at Maltby so we can discuss what we want to do to improve the town.

“We want to regenerate the town because it is much needed. At the moment High Street is all charity shops and takeaways.

“We want to bring some new shops and businesses to the town so that we can keep business local.

“At the minute, the problem we’ve got is that people have to go to Parkgate or Meadowhall for basic items such as a pair of shoes.”

The town centre regeneration plans would be discussed at the next meeting on Thursday, February 4, at Edward Dunn Memorial Hall, Tickhill Road from 6.30pm.