“Positive” meeting over Millers’ plans

Mr Stewart met council officers and representatives of developers Cedar House Investments at Riverside House on Monday to talk through plans to push on with work on the site of the historic but derelict foundry.

The Millers chief revealed in the Advertiser last week that he aimed to create 700 jobs by finding a “21st century solution” to the problem of Guest and Chrimes, which English Heritage want to see saved.

A joint statement from Rotherham United, the borough council and Cedar House Investments said: “A presentation was made to the council outlining the scale of the scheme together with the key issues, one of which is an 18-month timetable for the building to be handed over to the occupier.

“The opportunity for the scheme to create 700 jobs, and have a significant regenerative effect was also discussed.

Rotherham is in competition with two other sites in the country and it is critical that the proposed application receives support from the planning authority.

“There was a positive response in principle to the proposal from the Council officers.

“Given the building is listed, it is important that English Heritage are involved and are supportive of the proposal.

“They have been involved in several discussion about the future of the site, and a further meeting is to be held between English Heritage, the council,  Rotherham United and the developer at the earliest opportunity to seek their views.”

Meanwhile, the boss of the company earmarked to lead the transformation of the New York Stadium site this week has vowed to help emulate the regeneration success of other clubs.

Peter Gadsby, chairman of Cedar House Investments, said investing further in the stadium’s surroundings could see a boost like the 5,000 jobs and influx of companies which followed the building of Derby County’s Pride Park (now known as the iPro Stadium).

Ex-Derby chairman Mr Gadsby said of Mr Stewart’s plans: “Now is surely the time where everyone should get behind the club to help it get to the next level.

“With the Fair Play rules, it is essential to create revenue streams to fund the club’s activities.

“This can be done by adding to the facilities around the stadium.”

Mr Gadsby and Cedar House Investments was a close adviser to Mr Stewart while the New York stadium was developed, using his experience of helping to deliver 500,000 sq ft of leisure, retail, office and industrial development around Pride Park in Derby.

He recently has signed up to develop a 250-acre employment site south of Derby.

Mr Gadsby said Cedar House Investments had identified an occupier who wanted to operate in the Rotherham area.

Although it has looked at other options, the Guest and Chrimes site is “by far the preferred location”.

A hotel is part of the plans, Mr Gadsby confirmed.