A LARGE swathe of Rotherham will be included in a massive £1.3 billion regeneration programme which promises more than 18,000 new jobs and a host of other benefits.

The Don Valley Corridor which runs through a sweep of Rotherham, including Templeborough, will link up with existing regeneration projects like the new Waverley community and the Advanced Manufacturing Park, which is a base for some of the most famous names in engineering.

It stretches as far as Bassingthorpe, where a long-held ambition for major home-creation is expected to be brought to fruition.

The proposed Gateway mainline railway station also welds into project.

Project: Rotherham Gateway station is part of multi-billion pound plans for the Don Valley corridor

placeholder image — Project: Rotherham Gateway station is part of multi-billion pound plans for the Don Valley corridor

The corridor also includes parts of Sheffield and the project will see more than 10,000 new homes built, in what is now called a Mayoral Development Zone.

It is a joint enterprise between councils in Rotherham and Sheffield, along with South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

Its objective is to offer fresh opportunities to communities which have been historically overlooked.

The corridor project has been launched by politicians from all three authorities and has the backing of Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Early success: Rolls Royce has already brought quality jobs

Details of where the money will come from, and the timescale for investment, have yet to be clarified.

Rotherham Council leader Chris Read said: “The Don Valley Corridor has the potential to be one of the most important growth areas anywhere in the country and an exemplar for the north.

“For Rotherham, this really is about forging ahead with the next chapter of our borough’s growth, building on the lessons of the AMP as we build on the strengths of our heritage and the opportunities of new industries, infrastructure and investment.

“You have only to look at our plans for Rotherham Gateway to see the scale of that ambition – a new mainline station, new employment space, and a chance to bring thousands of jobs right onto our doorstep.

“And of course, you can already see the impact of this investment at Waverley and the Advanced Manufacturing Park.

“What was once industrial land is now home to world-leading employers, cutting-edge research, and thousands of new homes – a real example of how these projects can transform a community and create the skilled jobs of the future.”

The corridor is a 30 year project and Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP has said she backs the plan.