FORMER TATA STEEL RESEARCH CENTRE SOLD TO KEEPMOAT HOMES FOR RESIDENTIAL CONVERSION AND NEW HOMES DEVELOPMENT

Harris Lamb has sold an historic collection of properties in Rotherham to developer Keepmoat Homes with the new owners now seeking permission for 197 homes at the site.

The former TATA Research Facility, a 16.5-acre site which includes a number of historic buildings including Swinden House, the Coach House, the Lodge and Sitwell House, was placed on the market by the Residential Land team at Harris Lamb last year.

Further to securing the facility for an undisclosed sum, Keepmoat Homes has now submitted plans to build 170 new homes and convert the original buildings into 27 new homes at the site.

Chris Jones, Director at Harris Lamb, said: “From the very beginning, there was a lot of interest in the Swinden Technology Centre site. Combining important architectural and heritage interest with a prime development location in the exclusive Moorgate area, the site is very well-placed for a high-quality redevelopment within a very desirable area.

“Positioned opposite the hospital and surrounded by high-quality residential buildings in a peaceful, quiet environment benefitting from a strong landscape belt around its periphery, Keepmoat Homes recognised the site’s  huge potential for both the construction of a number of high quality new homes, but also relished the opportunity to sympathetically convert the beautiful historic properties on site for residential use.

“The sale has now exchanged, and the developer has submitted an application for both the conversions and new homes. We are delighted to have overseen this sale on behalf of TATA Steel and look forward to seeing the resulting development in due course,” he added.

Derek Wilson, Director of Keepmoat Homes, said: “We are delighted to have secured this site. The development nestles within an existing mature setting, with fabulous listed buildings and grounds that will be embraced and enhanced to create an amazing place.

“Having exchanged recently, submitting the planning application is a significant step forward and we are excited about working with RMBC as we progress through planning and delivering another Keepmoat development of the highest quality.”

A decision is expected later this year.