Rotherham Borough Council, working alongside the Fitzwilliam Wentworth Estate, has published a pipeline notice under the UK Procurement Act 2023. The notice signals their intention to appoint a strategic development partner for the major Bassingthorpe Farm site in Rotherham.

The site is already allocated for development and is guided by a Supplementary Planning Document. In line with this allocation, the project is expected to deliver a residential-led mixed-use scheme of up to approximately 2,000 homes. Alongside the housing, the development will include associated infrastructure, highways, utilities, drainage, public open space, community facilities and wider placemaking works.

The selected partner will be expected to work collaboratively with the landowners to maximise viability and deliverability. Key responsibilities are likely to include promoting and securing a comprehensive planning strategy, coordinating or delivering strategic enabling infrastructure, facilitating phased delivery (which may involve parcel disposals to housebuilders), and supporting longer-term stewardship of the completed scheme.

The precise commercial structure has not yet been fixed. It could involve a development agreement, land disposals, phased land drawdown or a combination of approaches. The partner will be required to take on substantial development, delivery, market and implementation risk.

The estimated contract period runs from 1 July 2027 to 31 March 2047 — nearly 20 years. A formal tender notice is currently expected to be published around 31 January 2027. This pipeline notice therefore serves as early market engagement, giving potential partners advance visibility of the forthcoming opportunity.