Decision paves way for pit scheme

In January, Rotherham's councillors gave the nod to the scheme, which could see nearly 4,000 houses, shops and community facilities, together with 60,000 square metres of Government offices, built between Rotherham and Sheffield.

But, although councillors agreed to support both the outline application planning regulations meant that the proposals had to be sent to the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber for consideration before any final decision could be made.

The plans were submitted by Harworth Estates, the land-ownership arm of mining company UK Coal, and a separate application for offices, a hotel and leisure facilities from Helical Governetz,

The authority has now received confirmation from the Government that it has decided not to "call in" the applications but to let Rotherham Council go ahead and grant planning consent

Bronwen Peace, the council's planning manager, said that the plans were the largest, most complex, applications ever considered by the authority.

She said: "It is reassuring that the government, after having considered all the issues and all the received representations, has decided not to intervene and will now allow Rotherham to determine both applications."

The Waverley new town proposals involve 3,950 houses of varying types and sizes, two primary schools, small shops, a food store, pubs, restaurants, a transport interchange and open space, including a woodland and lakes.

Harworth Estates says a quarter of the proposed houses and flats are to be affordable housing, including a mix of rented and shared-ownership units.

Meanwhile, Helical Governetz's proposed new office park aims to attract Government departments and offices to the site.

Although Rotherham Council's planning board members unanimously supported the scheme, it has not received backing from neighbouring Sheffield Council.

Sheffield's director of development services, Les Sturch, described the plans as "a speculative out-of-centre office development which is contrary to national and regional planning policies" and said better sites could be found within Sheffield city centre.

The city is already home to a number of Government offices, including the Department for Work and Pensions at Moorfoot, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, which is in the process of moving to St Paul's Place, the Home Office at Riverside Exchange and both the Inland Revenue and University for Industry at St Mary's Square.

Work on the Waverley development will take place over the next 20 years. By 2030 it is thought the site will become home to 9,000 people and create thousands more new jobs.

Coun David Pickering, chairman of Rotherham Council's planning board, added: "This decision will give a great boost for Rotherham, its ongoing regeneration and its aims to provide sustainable housing on brownfield land.

"The reclamation of this former opencast mine is almost complete, lakes have been created on site for drainage purposes and public access around the site is already available.

"But now we can look forward to issuing the permission and dealing with future detailed applications to secure its built development in the very near future."