PLANNERS have given the green light for a new office block on one of the most prominent sites in Sheffield.
The new eight-storey building will be built on land at Cutlers Gate, just off the Parkway and will be one of the first sights visitors to the city will see.
At the minute the site is undeveloped but once built the block will form the national headquarters for insurance group Capita Hartshead.
It already have offices on Ecclesall Road but the 380 staff will transfer to the new site. The total number of staff expected to be working at the building by 2012 is estimated at 600 full-time and 67 part-time.
The side of the building will feature a range of panels in different shades of blue to create what planners called a 'pixallated design'.
It will also feature of range of ecological features such as a thermal fabric that will reduce building's heat loss and an improved ventilation system that will cut down on the amount of air conditioning needed.
Movement sensors will mean the lights will only come on when needed and it will be heated using energy from the city's district heating system, which runs on recycled household waste burnt in the incinerator.
Coun John Hesketh welcomed the investment - but slammed the design.
He said: "This is a landmark site. The last thing you will see as you leave the city. It is a pity the design is gimmicky. There is a lot to be said for simple, clean, unpretentious lines."
But he was in a minority as most councillors welcomed the design.
Coun Alan Whitehouse called it "a fun design" while Coun Mazher Iqbal said he believed it could become "iconic."
What do you think? Add your comment below.Coun Ian Saunders added: "I think one of the things the city lacks is a variety of design in its buildings. Given its location on an important exit point of the city I welcome this."
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