ONE of the final pieces of the puzzle in the long-running redevelopment of Goldthorpe could soon be on its way after work to tear down a derelict ‘eyesore’ pub finally began last week.
The Goldthorpe Hotel, on Doncaster Road, is an Edwardian-style building which closed its doors to the public in 2009.
It was a hive of activity in the 1970s where pit workers from the nearby colliery would frequent its three bars but has since been a site for vandalism and antisocial behaviour.
Long-mooted plans for Goldthorpe’s redevelopment gathered momentum in 2015 when plans were passed for the new Goldthorpe Primary School - opened the following year following compulsory purchased orders issued on properties on Main Street - and the demolition of one half of the rundown Beever Street.
Further development took place on former colliery land on Kingsmark Way, and the town was slated as a potential site for an ambitious new Dearne Valley railway station which could offer connections to Sheffield and Leeds within 15 minutes and London in just over an hour-and-a-half.
However, these plans have fallen silent, meaning the demolition of the pub could make way for new apartments or houses.
An application previously approved in 2011 stated the former pub was ‘vacant and in a state that requires urgent repair’.
The application was allowed to lapse and two subsequent applications for ten new flats on the site have either been refused by Barnsley Council’s planning board, or withdrawn by the applicant.
But work began last week to demolish the site - leaving residents interested in any future plans for the area.
Coun Sue Bellamy, who represents the Dearne North ward, told the Chronicle: “I personally have many happy memories of evenings out at the Goldthorpe Hotel.
“However, I understand it has become unsafe and sadly demolition was the only option available to the developer.
“I look forward to seeing any future plans for the site.”
The demolition comes just months after another landmark pub in the Dearne was demolished after years of standing empty - The Thurnscoe Hotel on Houghton Road.
The former pub has been unused for more than five years and a recent planning application, submitted by Darren Investments Limited, sought permission to demolish the building and replace it with a new petrol station.
Since the property became vacant it has been the target of numerous vandalism attempts - and it has been set alight more than ten times.
A structural report by AN Consulting Engineers Limited states: “The local authority and the fire department have both stated the building is no longer safe to enter and work from.
“The overall structural integrity has been compromised following numerous fires.
“There is a strong possibility of total roof collapse in the short term leading to damage to the lower floors also.
“The local authority and the fire department have advices to close all access into the building with the upper floors no longer safe to walk upon.”
Plans were approved in December 2022 to turn the dilapidated eyesore into a petrol station.
The application has now been approved bringing six new jobs to the area - and the petrol station is set to be open 24 hours every day of the week.
Included in the application is the installation of a hot food takeaway on-site - opening times are set to be from 6am to 11pm.
Work is currently ongoing.
