Views sought in Penistone over 'important' railway site restoration

The coal drops are believed to date back to the mid-19th Century and were part of the station at Penistone

A town's Victorian railway coal drops, described by developers as "hugely important", could be restored under new plans now out for public consultation.

The derelict coal drops, as well as a signal house and former railway siding in Penistone, were bought by a Barnsley developer earlier this year.

The buildings once formed part of Penistone Station on the Woodhead Line.

Fairbank Investments Ltd said it wanted to "preserve this heritage" rather than seeing it fall further into disrepair.

The coal drops are thought to date back to the mid-19th Century when coal brought in by rail was carried up onto the six stone arches and dropped into waggons below, before being taken away by road.

Fairbank has now released drawings of what the redeveloped site, including plans for a restaurant, cocktail bar and shops, might look like once restored, in a bid to "judge the feedback of the local community".

In a statement, Antony Green, the firm's managing director, said the Grade II-listed site had been "cleaned up considerably" since its purchase in March so a full survey of the coal drops site could be carried out.

"The coal drops is a hugely important site of cultural and historical interest in Penistone and we want to help preserve this heritage, rather than see the site continue to fall into further disrepair," he said.

The restoration of the coal drops and the Old Signal House would be "a major step forward for the area", he added.

The developer said: "It has always been our aim to maintain the authenticity of the coal drops and the railway theme and we believe these ideas reflect that."

The plans would be subject to local authority approval and planning consents.