Council objects to Meadowhall's £150million expansion plans

Planning permission was granted for a new leisure hall at the shopping centre in 2018, which would house a cinema, restaurants, a gym, and 80,000 sq ft of new shops.

However, British Land submitted a revised application at the end of 2020, with ambitions to bring each plan to life separately, in a “phased approach”.

The latest plans include a £150million leisure hall on part of the red and yellow car parks.

Although smaller than the previous scheme, it will “deliver the same amount of quality leisure space and include a new aspirational food and drink offer”.

Bosses at Rotherham Council have called for further tests to assess the impact this new offering would have on the future of Rotherham’s “fragile” town centre.

Councillor Denise Lelliott, cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, said: “Rotherham Council have been consulted on plans for the expansion of Meadowhall.

“After careful consideration it is considered that the impact test has not properly accounted for the level of public sector investment and the continued fragility of Rotherham’s town centre, particularly in light of the Pandemic.

“Consequently, whilst recognising that Meadowhall is a significant employer of local people, a representation has been made to Sheffield City Council requesting that further assessment should be carried out as part of the Impact Tests to assess the impact of the development upon the vitality and viability of Rotherham Town Centre, the planned investment in the Forge Island site and existing investment across the remainder of the town centre in terms of the proposed retail and leisure uses.”

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