Plans in for Barnsley digital campus
Wilmott Dixon will deliver the first phase of the redevelopment of the Seam, which includes a 50,000 sq ft urban park and a Yorkshire Roses landmark, as well as improved parking.
Located on County Way, the Seam Digital Campus is focused around the two digital media centres in Barnsley town centre.
The council aims to develop the site into an urban village and make Barnsley into a destination for tech, digital, and creative businesses.
The main part of the first phase of works will be three illuminated sculptures known as the Yorkshire Roses. The central sculpture will be 15 metres tall and the two smaller sculptures will measure 12 metres.
Subject to planning, phase two work will look to further develop the Upper Seam car park, develop a third digital media centre, attract a high-end hotel, and create a national centre for digital technologies.
Planning permission has now been submitted for the sculptures and for the wider redevelopment of the campus and it is hoped that work will start in summer of 2025.
The redevelopment of the Seam is being delivered using Future High Streets and council funding.
Cllr Sir Steve Houghton, Leader of Barnsley Council, said: “The next phase of the Seam Digital Campus reaffirms our commitment to making it the heart of our future economy.
“With new digital media centres and public spaces, we’ll support digital sectors to enhance development opportunities in the town centre and bring in further investment and high-value jobs to Barnsley.
“As part of our ‘Great Childhoods Ambition’, we want our young people to be at the heart of everything we do. By prioritising them and creating a centre of digital excellence, along with existing projects like the Seam, Youth Zone, Northern Academy for Vocal Excellence (NAVE), and Youth Activity Park, we’re providing a great foundation where young people can thrive, grow, and prepare for future employment opportunities.”
Chris Yates, Yorkshire director at Willmott Dixon, said: “We are excited to be working in partnership with Barnsley Council to play our part in delivering a cutting-edge environment to bring the brightest tech businesses into South Yorkshire.
“We are focused on ensuring the construction of this transformational space leaves a lasting legacy for the people of Barnsley.
“We’re committed to delivering four new employment opportunities on the project, 80 apprentice weeks, and running a bespoke Building Lives Academy skills programme for local long-term unemployed people.”