Grade II-listed brass foundry to become hotel

Plans to transform the former Guest and Chimes brassworks into a hotel have been approved

Controversial plans to partially demolish a Grade-II listed former foundry and redevelop it into a hotel have been approved.

The Guest & Chrimes brassworks will have two buildings demolished to create a 138-room hotel, and one other building transformed into a reception, bar and restaurant area.

The scheme, brought forward by Stewart Developments Ltd, was opposed by Historic England - who said it would cause "substantial harm" to the structure.

Rotherham Council planning officers recommended approval subject to 38 conditions including heritage safeguards, and the final decision was made on 7 August.

Developers must also agree a local labour plan to maximise employment opportunities for Rotherham residents, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A formal objection from Historic England earlier this year argued the partial demolition would cause harm to the site's historic significance and that this harm had not been convincingly justified.

In their report, planning officers acknowledged the harm to the heritage asset but concluded that the regeneration benefits of bringing a dangerous, fire-damaged site back into use outweighed the loss, in line with national planning policy.

Work must begin within three years to keep the permission valid.

Built between 1857 and 1888, the Guest & Chrimes works produced components for public water systems, including the original leak-proof tap and the famous red New York fire hydrants.

It closed in 1999 and has stood largely derelict since.

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