Green light for mixed-use Waverley high street plans

Revised plans for a mixed-use development to provide a new high street at the Waverley scheme in South Yorkshire have been given the go-ahead.Harworth Group submitted a full planning application to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council earlier this year for a scheme off Stephenson Way, Waverley.The plans cover the development of a local centre to meet the needs of residents and businesses at Waverley.A new high street is set to be created featuring six building suitable for retail, leisure office and community uses, as well as space for outdoor events and pop-up market stalls. The high street would be anchored by a local supermarket and community centre. A medical centre is also planned.The plans also include further residential development, comprising 46 two- and three-bedroom homes and four two-bedroom flats.The proposal includes 44 centrally located car parking spaces, including disabled spaces and EV charging spaces, with 22 separate parking spaces provided for the flats and offices, and a further nine close to the medical centre.New public realm would be provided, as well as and updated bus hub and pedestrian access to the University of Sheffield campus.The council has now granted approval for the development, subject to conditions, under delegated powers.A planning officer’s report accompanying the decision said: ‘The proposal provides a much-needed facility for Waverley to include a mix of uses for the local community. The design of the Local centre is considered to be high quality, with high quality public realm also being provided.’Planning approval was previously granted in November 2017 for a mixed-use centre; however, this has not been implemented and has now expired.An application for a mixed-use development featuring retail, a gym, offices, restaurants and cafes, supermarket, medical centre, community space, bus hub and residential units was submitted in 2021 but was later withdrawn.Plans for a further 150 homes at Waverley were approved in August. In total, Harworth’s plans comprise up to 3,890 homes, shops, restaurants, a primary school, leisure and community facilities and 310 acres of open space.