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Major makeover for The Wicker
Plans proposing changes to The Wicker area and around Kelham Island are to be presented at a meeting of Sheffield Council's cabinet tomorrow.
The Wicker strategy is set to involve a series of improvements over the next five years.
Work has already begun with a 2.85 million revamp of the street, from Lady's Bridge to the Arches. It is funded by regeneration agency Yorkshire Forward.
The scheme involves better footpaths, trees, street lighting and better parking facilities.
Also proposed is a scheme to provide grants for businesses on The Wicker to give their properties a facelift.
What do you think of the plans and what do you believe would be the best way to improve The Wicker area. Add your comment below.
Grants covering 75 per cent of the cost of changes to each property - with a ceiling of 10,000 - would be available subject to funding being obtained by council officers, which could come from bodies such as Yorkshire Forward.
The action plan recommends "restoration and refurbishment" of the listed railway arches to provide a mix of small business and studio space specialist shops, cafes and bars.
Possible closure of Walker Street, which runs alongside the viaduct, is suggested, to allow the cafes to "spill out" onto the street.
A revamp of the Nursery Street area would involve creation of a waterfront park at the side of the road and providing better access to the riverside for fishing and watersports.
Council officers also say a bid has been made to fund a flood protection study to look at what measures can be taken in the area to reduce the chance of the River Don breaching its banks, which happened during the June floods.
The Kelham Neepsend Action Plan aims to retain buildings of architectural importance, encourage new development sympathetic to its surroundings, control volume and style of future residential development, and address anti-social behaviour, crime and transport problems.
The plan also proposes to "heighten awareness" of the three listed bridges, 12th Century listed weir and mill goyts in the area and "explore potential" for new crossings.
Efforts to preserve commercial activity in the area as well as residential, are acknowledged as "important". Styles of new buildings are to be scrutinised, with pitched roofs to be encouraged and developments more than five storeys-high to be resisted.
There are also proposals to create a small park at the end of Kelham Island.
To tackle transport problems, the action plan states there is "a recognised need for parking controls", due to pressure on on-street spaces.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
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