£37 million Gulliver's Valley theme park plans set for approval

Rotherham Borough Council is expected to grant permission for the family firm to build on 250 acres of the former Pithouse West site at a planning board meeting on Thursday.

The plans include a main theme park hub, with rides and attractions aimed at children aged two to 13.

A water play zone, climbing centre, glades attraction and an education and ecology centre are also proposed.

The resort will offer accommodation in the form of glamping, self-catering lodges and hotels. It will have nature trails, walks, outdoor gyms and woodland runs and is expected to create around 400 jobs.

A report to the planning board said: “The proposed development is considered to constitute inappropriate development within the Green Belt, however very special circumstances are considered to exist due to the economic benefits of the development in terms of increased local employment opportunities and the increase in numbers of tourists and visitors to Rotherham.

“The proposal will positively contribute to the local economy and tourism opportunities with a diverse range of job opportunities created both within the construction and operational phases, and will create up to 125 full time jobs and 325 part time jobs. The proposal will attract tourists to Rotherham which would be beneficial for the local economy.”

Gulliver's hope to begin construction before the end of the year and the first phase of development — the main entrance and access roads, theme park hub and core parking — could be open in 2020.