Demolition planned for Rotherham’s former Primark building

Plans have been drawn up to change the look of Rotherham High Street through the demolition of the former Primark building.The owners of the retail unit have sought a buyer for some time but without success, primarily due to the size of the building.The local council has now purchased the site using funding from the Towns Fund Accelerator programme and plans would see the building demolished and replaced, in the short term, with a pocket park and a public space.Subject to necessary planning consents, longer term plans include developing the site for new town centre residential living.Redevelopment of the site will start in early 2021 with the demolition of the building, which will be the subject of a planning application given its location within a conservation area.The plans form part of the Town Centre Masterplan which includes £30m plus funding for three major housing developments at Wellgate, Westgate and Sheffield Road, as well as improvements to open spaces across College Street, Bridgegate, Howard Street and Effingham Street.