Oak Holdings plc - Leisure Development - Sheffield, YES! Project

Date: 19 Sep 2005

Developer Oak Holdings plc has submitted an amended planning application for its YES! project in South Yorkshire, which will be the largest undercover leisure based scheme in Europe.

The proposed £300 million leisure, sports and entertainment project on a 320-acre former contaminated colliery site adjacent to the Rother Country Valley Park, received a massive boost last month when Sheffield Council removed its objection to the project. The amendments incorporate emerging requirements of operators; with both Sony and Venue Solutions having signed Memoranda of Understanding to be major partners in the scheme.

Steve Lewis, Chief Executive of Oak Holdings, comments: "The scheme has evolved following extensive consultation. The increased interest particularly in the sporting and daytime leisure aspects of the YES! project, compliments the urban renaissance programme throughout South Yorkshire, and means the project is destined to become a comprehensive world-class destination.

"We are delighted that Sheffield has given the project its full support, reflecting the importance of the scheme to the entire South Yorkshire region. Support for the project from many quarters means that we now look forward to securing an early consent. Yes! will not only greatly improve the tourism offer in dynamic South Yorkshire, but will also create 2,700 sustainable jobs."

Adam Wilkinson, at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, comments: "Rotherham Council welcomes the revised proposal with a greater emphasis on sport and leisure. Rother Valley Country Park offers a unique facility of Regional and National significance to show-case state-of-the-art developments ranging from extreme sporting facilities through to world leading interactive technologies."

"The scheme will enhance the South Yorkshire tourism drive, and indeed that of the North of England. Additionally it will provide significant economic benefit to this region. We are extremely pleased that Yorkshire Forward (the regional development agency) and Sheffield City Council now fully support the proposals."

Venture Xtreme has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding to operate what will become the most exciting and largest comprehensive extreme sports centre in the UK. The Baydrive Group, the Promoters of the innovative TopGolf Centres, has also agreed a Memorandum of Understanding and will open one of their award-winning innovative golf driving range centres at the location.

CGI image of the YES! Project

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