Business leaders adopt "Cannes do" approach to funding Rotherham masterplan

ROTHERHAM’S flagship Forge Island regeneration project is being showcased this week at an international event in a bid to attract financial backing.

The MIPIM conference in Cannes, which runs until tomorrow, is seen by the Sheffield City Region board as a key chance to sell the region’s investment opportunities.

Forge Island, the centrepiece site of Rotherham Borough Council’s town centre masterplan, is among a busy portfolio of schemes, with potential investors being told the site will be available for development in 2019 and a developer is being sought.

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The site is earmarked for a cinema, hotel, restaurants and bars, town centre

parking, business units and housing.

Plans for an ambitious £8 million project to regenerate Swinton town centre are also on show at MIPIM.

The council wants to give Swinton a boost by providing new housing and a new library, as well as refurbishing the Civic Hall.

There will also be new shops units built and the existing shopping parade will have a much-needed upgrade.

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A council spokesman said: “The redevelopment offers the opportunity to realise not only significant returns but to partner with Rotherham Council in the regeneration of one of our key townships.”

Also among a clutch of projects up for investment is the Bassingthorpe Farm site at Greasbrough, where work is due to start in 2020 or 2021 on the development of a new community with more than 2,400 new homes, employment space and a primary school.

The SCR board are also keen to net fresh investors in the Waverley New Community near the Advanced Manufacturing Park, where 3,890 homes will be built, along with shops, a a health centre, parks and schools.

The first 570 houses are currently being developed by Taylor Wimpey, Barratt Homes and Harron Homes.

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More than 80 representatives from the public and private sectors in the Sheffield City Region flew out today (Monday) from Robin Hood Airport to make their case for cash.

Martin McKervey, board member of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, was among them.

He said: “MIPIM is a timely opportunity to recognise and talk to a global audience about the great successes of the region over the last year.

“Importantly, it is very much about building on the vision to achieve even greater things for the region, showcasing the world class opportunities we offer across real estate, infrastructure, urban regeneration, technology, innovation and our great sense of place and quality of life.”

You can find out more about the Forge Island plans at newforgeisland.co.uk.