Transformation plan for former railway site

A derelict former railway site could be transformed into a new retail and hospitality space if plans are given the go-ahead.

Developers said they wanted to revitalise the partially-listed coal drops, railway signal house and sidings in Penistone, which once sat on the former Woodhead Line before it was scrapped due to the so-called Beeching cuts in the1960s.

According to Fairbank Investments, the firm behind the plans, the proposal for the site would also include space for offices and business units.

In its application to Barnsley Council, the company said its proposals would "revitalise this historic location, preserving its heritage while welcoming a new era of economic growth".

Penistone's coal drops were once a place where coal was brought into the area to be loaded onto road transport.

They were a port of call on the old Woodhead Line, which linked Sheffield, Penistone and Manchester, with the last freight train journey on the line taking place in 1981.

Antony Green, director of the locally-based developers, said the company was "incredibly proud to bring forward this ambitious project".

It "reflects our deep commitment to Penistone's heritage, economic growth and community development," he said.

"Through this carefully planned redevelopment, we aim to create a thriving business hub while preserving the town's historical essence."

A public consultation into the company's plans for the site was carried out in 2023.

Barnsley Council was expected to consider the plans at a later date.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North