Jobs bonanza on the way at new Waverley development

An artist's impression of what the development would look like

Landowners Harworth Group linked up with Dransfield Properties in May to submit its planning application for the scheme, which would be built next to the University of Sheffield’s AMRC Training Centre on the former Orgreave pit site.

Iain Thomson, Harworth Group plc's associate director, partnerships and communications, this week spoke of his hopes that hundreds of new jobs would come from the development, which will include shops, cafes, a hotel and a medical centre.

“It could create up to 1,000 jobs but that’s if everything is developed to its absolute maximum,” he said.

“I think a more realistic figure is around 700 to 750 jobs.”

Dransfield developed the Fox Valley complex in Stocksbridge and Mr Thomson said the new project - Waverley Local Centre - would go "above and beyond the high quality of that development".

He added: “The idea is that we have a centre that brings together the Advanced Manufacturing Park and the residential development.

“It will have a mix of retail, including a butcher’s and a cycling shop as well as cafés, the medical centre and the hotel.”

The plans submitted to Rotherham Borough Council said the development would create a “heart” for the new community.

Mr Thomson said he hoped the project would prove popular with those living in Catcliffe, Treeton, Brinsworth and other areas, not just those living on the new houses on the Waverley site itself.

“The jobs news will be very welcome and we just have to wait for the planning decision to be made,” he said.

The 12-acre project will include a town square and a bus station and could be built by the 2019, Mr Thomson added.

Shops, a pharmacy, offices and parking for 577 cars are also in the proposals.

Mr Thomson said he hoped the plans would be considered by the end of the year and work could begin in early 2018.

“We always wait until we have planning approval before securing businesses for the units but Dransfield have some great contacts so filling them won’t be a problem,” he added.

Around 700 homes have now been built at the Waverley site and another 3,200 are set to be added over the next 15 years.