Harworth’s brand new retail development at its flagship site at Waverley in South Yorkshire has reached practical completion with just over 80 per cent of units under offer or let. The urban shopping and leisure development on Highfield Spring, part of Harworth’s complete redevelopment of the former mining site, totals 11 retail units and a medical centre and will serve the current community of more than 2,500 residents and around 1,700 homes, expected to rise to 8,000 people and more than 3,000 homes by 2029. Three units of 1,420 sq ft remain to let, with advanced interest in one, attracted by the chance to secure new retail space in the centre of one of Sheffield’s newest urban areas, with the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) and its 2,000 employees also close by, as well as 100 other businesses. Expected to open in early summer after fit out, the retail parade has already drawn in a mix of national and local independent retail and food and beverage occupiers, including Tesco. Kitty Hendrick, from the Sheffield office of Knight Frank, which is marketing the site, said: “Olive Lane is a really positive story, not only for the Waverley community but for the region. “We are now just over 80 per cent under offer / let and the units have only just reached Practical Completion, which proves that there is strong demand for retail units in the region, and limited availability. “We have secured a mix of national and local independent retail and F&B occupiers, including Tesco, and look forward to seeing the scheme up and running once tenants have fitted out. “There will be something for everyone at Olive Lane and we envisage the scheme to be very popular with high footfall once open.” Michael Jameson, Senior Asset Manager at Harworth, said: “Harworth is delighted to bring Olive Lane to life, a development which will become the new mixed use heart of the Waverley Community. “Creating places where people want to live and work is at the heart of what Harworth do and we’re confident that Waverley and Olive Lane delivers on that aim. We hope local residents and workers will enjoy all the amenities the high street has to offer, and are sure the scheme will be a huge success and really bring the community together.”

Northern developer Almscliffe-Dhesi (AD) has completed three major retail projects in the North-East and North Lincolnshire. AD’s developments at Peterlee, Crook and Scunthorpe, all of which are home to national retail occupiers, are now open for business. At the same time, work has started on site at AD’s retail development at Faverdale in north-west Darlington. AD has transformed the disused and derelict Vauxhall Car dealership off Passfield Way on the outskirts of Peterlee into a new local convenience retail cluster. High-profile tenants at the 13,027 sq ft development include Sainsbury’s, Tanning Shop, Greggs and Domino’s, together with CVS Vets and EVC Electric Vehicle Chargers. This investment is for sale, while a final unit of 1,250 sq ft is available to let. Meanwhile AD, having bought a redundant unit on South Street, Crook, split the 2,240 sq ft unit in two. The occupiers are Domino’s and Banking Hub. Both tenants are now up and trading, with the investment for sale. Work has also been completed at Scunthorpe, where AD’s 7,300 sq ft roadside scheme opposite Central Park includes a Starbucks drive thru, a Central England Co-op and The Tanning Shop, together with EV charging points. The Starbucks unit has been sold to the franchisee K Beverage, while the rest of the development has been bought by a private investor. Neil Creeney, who owns and runs AD with his business partner Bal Singh, said: “It is tremendous news that work has now been completed on these three significant developments. Together we estimate they will create more than 150 jobs.”

North Lincolnshire Council has announced that all new homes and industrial units must be built with solar panels under a new local plan. The policy, included in the council’s draft local plan, was approved at a Cabinet meeting on 17 March.

The measure aims to increase renewable energy generation while reducing reliance on large-scale solar farms, which the council says take up valuable farmland.

Once implemented, developers must integrate solar panels into all new construction projects to secure planning permission. The council has already installed solar panels in schools and public buildings as part of its sustainability efforts.

Bradford Council has refused a planning application to convert a derelict café on Greaves Street into an 18-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO), citing overuse of the property and inadequate living conditions.

Mustafa Ghanim’s proposal aimed to repurpose the fire-damaged building near Trident Park and Manchester Road bridge, arguing it would provide much-needed housing. However, council officers raised concerns about the high number of occupants—potentially up to 26—and the strain on local parking.

Officials stated that the lack of communal living or dining spaces would leave residents confined to their rooms, while the increased foot traffic could cause excessive noise and disruption. The council concluded that the conversion would be an “overly intensive use” of the building and rejected the application.