The scheme is centred around opening up an existing market to Dinnington High Street and bringing it and the surrounding disused, aging and poorly maintained commercial units up to modern standards. The scheme is publicly funded and benefits from a £11m Levelling Up Fund grant which the Council successfully bid for in 2023 as well as £1m of the Council’s own funding.

All objections to the CPO had been formally withdrawn by the first day of the Inquiry. The Inspector concluded that the Council had not only considered the interests of those affected by the exercise of the compulsory purchase powers, but had also adequately mitigated the impact of the use of the powers by reaching agreement with the parties directly affected. She found there was “clear evidence of successful engagement and negotiations”.

Caroline Daly and Esther Drabkin-Reiter acted for Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, the acquiring authority, instructed by Nathan Holden of Freeths LLP and assisted by Jeffrey Chu.

A copy of the decision letter can be found here.