Work on a £12m revamp of Dinnington town centre has taken a step forward after the Government’s Planning Inspector approved Rotherham Council’s bid to acquire key property in the area.
Back in the autumn of 2023, following extensive consultation with residents, the Council unveiled plans to transform Dinnington’s high street, including clearing derelict buildings, creating a new town square, and developing purpose-built commercial units to diversify the local offer.
The plans also aimed to improve the outdoor market, pedestrian routes, and public spaces - creating a healthier, safer, and more sustainable environment for residents, visitors, and businesses.
To progress the project, the Council attempted to secure key properties in the area via a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), so they could be demolished and construction could begin.
The Government’s Planning Inspector has now granted the CPO. Work to appoint a contractor is expected to take place in the New Year before work starts on site.
As well as improving the high street’s aesthetics and accessibility, the project will also create new opportunities for local businesses and the town centre including increased footfall and events.
Cllr Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, said: “It’s fantastic news that the CPO has been confirmed meaning work can progress on the redevelopment of Dinnington High Street. The work will make a huge impact on the local area, not just in terms of how it looks, but how it’s accessed and help and foster a renewed sense of pride in the town.
“We’ve all been frustrated about the length of time it’s taken to reach this stage - it was never going to be easy with some of the challenges we've faced in acquiring parts of the site. However, now that the CPO has been granted, we remain totally committed to forging ahead on delivering the improvements that residents and businesses have been waiting for.”
The £12m investment in Dinnington’s High Street is part of Rotherham Council’s wider commitment to revitalising town and village centres across the borough.
The £4 million Our Places Fund, focusing on improvement projects to key gateways into principal towns and villages, is actively being rolled out.
In Wath, plans to create a new library and enhance green spaces, providing a modern and inclusive community facility, are underway.
It follows ongoing investment in Rotherham town centre which has seen the delivery of the £47m leisure hub Forge Island, which has welcomed restaurants Vetro Lounge and Sygnature Dish so far this year, complementing Arc Cinema and Travelodge, with work also underway on major public realm regeneration project Riverside Gardens.
The investment across Rotherham’s high streets will be complemented by the introduction of a new ‘Street Safe Team’ focused on increasing safety in town and village centres, as well as a new team dedicated to roadside cleansing, with a focus on popular routes and key gateways.
