The decision to give the go-ahead to Barnsley West, one of the largest developments in Yorkshire, will be a “massive game-changer for the town.”
Sir Bob Murray, founder and chairman of Leeds-based Sterling Capitol, who are developing Barnsley West in conjunction with Strata Homes, revealed that the development would create 2,000 new jobs and deliver a multi-million pound investment for the region.
Known as MU1, the 122-hectare site off Higham Common Road and close to Junction 37 of the M1, has been given the green light by Barnsley Council’s Planning Committee.
Development plans for the site include over 1,700 homes, 1.2 million sq ft of employment space for modern advanced manufacturing, storage and distribution, a strategic link road, a brand-new primary school for up to 420 children, shops and community facilities. The main access points via roundabouts have already been constructed at both the northern and southern ends of the site, shortening the timescale to delivery of units.
Sir Bob Murray said: “The decision to give the go-ahead to Barnsley West is welcomed news. In the challenging economic times, this development will provide much-needed jobs and investment and will be a massive game changer for the town and the surrounding area. It’s a defining moment – the key to future prosperity.
“On a personal note, this means so much to me. I have a real affinity for the site, which lies on top of an open-cast coal mine. My father was a miner, and I built the Stadium of Light, the home of Sunderland AFC, on top of Monkwearmouth Colliery. It’s so important to breathe new life into sites which such illustrious histories.
“At Sterling, we have worked so hard on this development for over 10 years. We know Barnsley well, having always believed in its potential and having a distinguished track record there.
“We have also built Capitol Park Barnsley by Junction 37 of the M1, creating 650 jobs with a final phase set to deliver a further 500. The 36-acre park, now a thriving business hub, has attracted a number of high-profile companies to the area, including the NHS Blood and Transplant facility, whose world-class laboratory services support NHS patients across the north of England, and a hotel.
“This long-standing collaboration is a testament to what we can achieve together. We are eager to build on that success with Barnsley West and continue our trusted partnership to drive investment, create opportunity, and deliver lasting benefits for Barnsley.
“Now that planning permission has been granted, we are completely focussed on delivering a transformational flagship employment site which will drive the town and the borough’s renaissance. But this is about more than development—it’s about long-term investment, opportunity, and confidence in Barnsley. Barnsley West represents a major step forward in helping secure the area’s economic future, and we’re proud to be at the heart of it.
“I’d like to thank Barnsley Council, our partners and the local community for their support. We now look forward to getting on with the job and delivering a high-quality scheme that will benefit generations to come.
“These benefits include a serious number of new and sustainable jobs, including around 100 much-needed apprenticeships, brand-new homes, a new primary school, green spaces and allotments for the community, enhanced public rights of access, a new link-road to the M1 and a subsidised bus route.”
While Strata will focus on building the homes and the school, Sterling Capitol will concentrate on creating employment space, which will make Barnsley West a serious advanced manufacturing, distribution and logistics hub.
Paul Beckett, CEO of Sterling Capitol, added: “I would like to emphasize that maintaining strong ties with the community is essential as we look to the future. We are committed to ensuring Barnsley West grows with the community and not apart from it. We are proud to be part of that community, delivering a flagship scheme for the region that everyone can be proud of.”
The professional team who supported the Barnsley West application by Sterling Capitol and Strata Homes was: The Harris Partnership, Spawforths, Pegasus, JPG, RPP, Gillespies and Wardell Armstrong.
