Notorious estate still desolate - a decade after council bulldozed homes

THE site of a notorious estate remains neglected and desolate — a decade after its houses were reduced to rubble.
Chesterhill estate in 2008Chesterhill estate in 2008
Chesterhill estate in 2008

And a Rotherham Borough Council webpage for the former Chesterhill site at Thrybergh this week still said construction work was expected to start in 2016.

Regeneration of the area was promised when the bulldozers arrived in 2008 but attracting developers has proved difficult.

Struggling nearby businesses would relish the extra residents in the village to help trade, an independent campaigner told councillors.

Michael Sylvester, a Thrybergh resident, said: “In 2013, plans were brought forward with Keepmoat Homes to build 260 properties, including 15 council homes.

“According to information on the council website, we were due to see construction started in 2016.

“If we assume the web story was correct, and not just for consumption in the run-up to the last local elections, Rotherham Council needs to explain the extended delay.

“What are they going to do to help repair damage to businesses that have struggled due to this decade long gap in the local community?”

More than 140 properties were demolished on Chesterhill Avenue, Townend Avenue, Glebe Crescent and Wilson Drive.

Residents petitioned the council at the time because of delays in the project and calling for action against antisocial behaviour and crime they described as “absolute mayhem”.

Council leader Cllr Chris Read admitted it was embarrassing for the website page to be out of date.

But Cllr Dominic Beck, cabinet member for housing, said the aim was still to deliver about 240 properties on Chesterhill Avenue and Whinney Hill.

He added: “The council is committed to delivering high quality homes that meet the needs of people in the borough.

“We have faced a number of challenges over the years in getting a deliverable scheme off the ground. 

“We are currently reviewing our options to ensure we move as quickly as possible on these key sites.”

Mr Sylvester said: “In the intervening two years since 2016, Dalton and Thrybergh have lost their last pub. 

“A few hundred yards away, we’ve lost Dalton Progressive Club. We’ve lost our last post office and Thrybergh Legion Club.

“We have many businesses that are struggling and could do with the extra 600 people that this would bring in to the village.

“There’s been a delay but are the council going to learn from it and support the businesses?”