£10m scheme for shops and homes on former school site

Rotherstone Estates is proposing to develop the former Foulstone School in Darfield, Barnsley into a retail centre, which would include a Lidl foodstore plus six smaller shops.

The family-owned developer has agreed terms so far with Sainsbury’s for a 4,200 sq ft convenience store and Heron Foods for a 4,000 sq ft unit.

There would be a car park with 180 spaces and it is also submitting an outline planning application for 39 new homes.

Plans for the six-acre site will go on display from November 7-9 to enable people to view and discuss the proposals.

Mark Rothery, managing director of Rothstone Estates, said: “This development would provide a much-needed boost to local retail facilities as well as a significant number of new jobs.

“Currently, Darfield residents have very limited choice, so many people have to travel out of the village to carry out their shopping.

“The new scheme would provide convenient access to a range of shops all targeted at meeting the needs of the local community.”

He added: “As well as the retail element, our proposal would also offer benefits for pedestrians with space for public realm and a new footpath running through the site, directly into Darfield Park making it much easier for people to access it.”

Rothstone Estates plans to submit the application by the end of this year.

If it is approved, construction is likely to start in June 2014, which means the new 21,160 sq ft Lidl foodstore and other shops could be open by December 2014.

If the outline planning application for the housing is approved, a developer would need to be secured before construction could start.

The properties are likely to be a mix of two and three-bedroom properties.