Third proposal for Eastwood industrial site goes before council
PLANS to redevelop a former industrial site in Eastwood could change for a third time under proposals put to Rotherham Council.
They approved plans for the Backer Electric Company premises, on Shaw Road, in the early years of this century, which could have seen a hotel/restaurant/take-away and petrol station developed.
Those plans were never pursued, however, with the permission lapsing as a result.
Some of the premises remain in use, with others vacant, and permission has recently been granted to make changes to the building and create 20 individual storage units.
But now fresh plans have been put to the council, which could see the use of the building re-assigned, from just storage to several different purposes.
That would include general industrial, such as welding shops, storage or distribution and retail outlets such as kitchen showrooms.
In addition, it is requested to open up the site for other industrial processes which - the application states - “can be carried out in a residential area without detriment to amenity”.
The proposal would involve further sub-dividing the site, to provide 30 units, with new windows and doors installed in the building at ground level.
The site is in an area allocated for business and industrial use by the council and is around 1.4 miles from the town centre.
Under the proposals, the building’s exterior would feature black cladding and painted brickwork, described as giving the building “a monolithic hand-crafted quality with sculpted messes and reveals.”
Planners have been told the development “represents both social and economic sustainability, with new jobs adding to the vitality of a local community.”