Forge Island cinema to be built on podium to avoid flooding

A 12ft wall be added along the western boundary with a stepped amphitheatre beside Rotherham Lock, new plans reveal.

Floodgates will be added to the north and south — at the Bridge Street and Main Street ends of the key town centre regeneration site.

Forge Island is the flagship element of Rotherham’s £150 million masterplan and Muse is the development partner selected by RMBC to deliver a cinema, food and drink venues and a hotel.

A planning application from RiDO — the council’s development arm — said: “Forge Island will capture the attention of the burgeoning population of students, residents and workers, retaining this market into the evenings and weekends and acting as a catalyst for wider regeneration of the town centre.

“As a precursor to these works, it is necessary to extend flood defence measures on the west side of Forge Island, to link with upstream defences constructed as a response to the severe flooding suffered in June 2007.”

The main feature of the flood project is a wall about 25ft from the canal bank on the side where the court buildings stood.

The planning paper said: “Essentially the main Forge Island area will be developed on a podium and lifted out of the flood plain.

“The wall will be complemented by extensive public realm improvements comprising hard and soft landscaping, resurfaced footways and a stepped amphitheatre beside Rotherham Lock.

“Existing heritage features will be retained wherever possible.”

The flood defences will be funded by Rotherham Borough Council after the project goes out to tender. 

Cllr Denise Lelliott, cabinet member for the economy, said: “The scheme is an essential part of the redevelopment of the town centre, allowing further development of Forge Island. 

“Other preparatory work is already well under way, with the acquisition of Forge Island and the former magistrates courts, and subsequent demolitions.”

It is hoped that work can begin on the flood defences in the spring to have the site ready for the main development to begin before the end of 2019.

A commemorative feature has been suggested — subject to funding availability — to celebrate Forge Island’s industrial heritage or the Masbrough boat disaster, which killed 50 in 1841.

The site was heavily linked with iron and steel production — being the site of the Walker family’s first forge — before becoming home to Hillards and then Tesco.