A MAJOR milestone in a bid to create a £14m white water course has been hit - after a long-awaited planning application was submitted.

The Manvers Lake and Dearne Valley Trust, the charity which manages the site, said that its ‘superb’ water quality had been a deciding factor in the plans.

Permission is now being sought from Rotherham Council to get the green light, whose planning board will weigh up the scheme later this year.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service would also use Manvers Lake as a regional training base.

The fire service said that it expected emergency services from all over the country to use the lake and that there was a need for the facility because of the increase in severe flooding incidents.

Local MPs John Healey and Stephanie Peacock have backed the scheme.

Mr Healey said: “This project will be a big boost for the Dearne Valley.

“It will create jobs, bring more visitors into our area and give our fire and rescue crews the proper training base they need.

“The trust has worked hard to get to this stage, and there is real backing behind the plans.

“With the right support, we can get this built and delivering for our area.”

A spokesperson from Manvers Lake added: “With planning submitted, strong political backing, and sustained effort from our partners, the white water course project is moving closer to becoming a reality.

“Towards the end of last year, the trust commissioned the full suite of required pre-planning surveys.

“Following the successful completion of this work, we are delighted to confirm that full planning permission for the white water course has now been formally submitted to Rotherham Council.

“This marks a major milestone for the project and we look forward to receiving a positive response in due course.”