An industrial estate on greenbelt land between the Cat Hill roundabout and Goldthorpe could be created as part of council plans to create up to 16,000 jobs.
Ambitious plans have been revealed that could see the creation of three industrial development zones covering more than 1,000 acres across the borough with the potential to create almost 16,000 jobs – if government funding is secured.
The biggest project would see a £25m investment in transport infrastructure to open a number of new industrial sites along the Dearne Towns Link Road from junction 36 of the M1 into the Dearne Valley as well as 3,600 new homes.
That includes a large new industrial site between the Cat Hill roundabout and Goldthorpe and in total would see 728 acres of land being made available for business.
Experts predict that would create up to 10,700 jobs.
The second project, between Grimethorpe and Shafton on Engine Lane, would see £5.3m invested to create up to 2,000 new jobs on 143 acres of land, as well as up to 870 new homes.
The third project would see a bypass from junction 37 of the M1 at Dodworth to connect with the A635 at Claycliffe in a move to reduce traffic congestion along Higham Common Lane and open up land for business and as many as 800 new homes.
The plans have been shortlisted by the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, a partnership of councils and business, with Barnsley’s three projects all in the top ten.
Barnsley Council leader Sir Steve Houghton is the chairman of the city region’s Local Transport Body which will oversee how the £113m is spent.
The final decision is expected to be made next year, with work starting in 2015.
