Views sought on mining site plans

aerial picture of the proposed redevelopment

The total site being redeveloped covers 700 acres

People living near to one of Rotherham's biggest-ever restoration projects are being given the chance to have their say on the plans.

Harworth Estates, the property development wing of UK Coal, wants to build 3,980 new homes on the former Orgreave opencast mining site.

It also plans to build two new primary schools, bars, restaurants, shops, a community centre, gym and hotel.

A series of meetings have been arranged so residents can give their views.

Employment opportunities

Councillor Gerald Smith, cabinet member for regeneration and development services, said: "This is a huge regeneration project that will affect the surrounding villages in both Rotherham and Sheffield and these public meetings will allow the developers to outline their plans and the public to give their views."

Harworth Estates said its aim was to "transform this area with a mainly industrial past to a modern 21st Century development that will benefit thousands of local people in terms of providing new affordable housing, employment opportunities, schools and leisure facilities".

A separate application for offices and a public transport interchange on the site has also been submitted.

The meetings will be held on the following dates:

25 November, Treeton primary School, Rotherham, 1900 to 2100 GMT.
27 November, Woodhouse Mill Working Men's CLub & Institute, Sheffield, 1930 to 2130 GMT.
1 December, Handsworth Grange School, Sheffield, 1900 to 2100 GMT.
2 December, Catcliffe Primary School, Rotherham, 1900 to 2100 GMT.