As early as the 1960s, local politicians voiced concerns about the high level of reliance of the economy of the area on one single industry.
Settlements in the area are becoming more dormitory in nature, as those who remained have found the need to commute further afield to the larger towns and cities in the region to work.
Business parks in the area have been created on brown-field land once used by the mining industry, the most notable and largest is at Manvers.
Wath marshalling yard which served the railway coal traffic closed in 1988 is now the site of Old Moor Wetland Centre RSPB reserve.
Some of the prominent buildings include Conisbrough Castle, Church of St. John and St. Mary Magdalene, Hickleton Hall, Glassby Arch, etc.