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Stalled Moor market plan deal breakthrough
A STALLED project to revamp Sheffield's Moor shopping area and create a new market building will now move forward after a deal was brokered between council chiefs and the landlord.
Finance company Scottish Widows has been given a 250-year lease of the street by Sheffield Council, in return for agreeing to invest millions of pounds to complete a revamp of the paving and street furniture.
The firm has also given back to the council the area of land needed for the new markets building - on the south-east side of the street - meaning the development can now go ahead.
Sheffield Council leader Coun Paul Scriven said it was a "very good deal".
"Discussions on the scheme had stalled," he said. "I went up to Edinburgh to meet executives from Scottish Widows for the talks which have led to this agreement. It is important for Sheffield's regeneration that we have found a way to move forward on this important project in what is a key area of the city centre.
"Scottish Widows has agreed to invest, in return for a much longer lease for The Moor than held previously. In return, the council gets the land for the markets, free of charge, so we can make the markets project a reality."
Sheffield Council chief executive John Mothersole said the 17 million bill for the market would be funded entirely by council borrowing.
It is estimated that work will begin on the development in August 2011 and completed by autumn 2013, but detailed design work still needs to be carried out, planning permission obtained, and a contractor found by the council to build the facility.
When completed the site - between The Moor and Cumberland Way - will replace the run-down Castle Market. It is currently vacant after the shops that formerly stood there were bulldozed.
The plans will progress despite a bid to have the current Castle Market listed.
Coun Scriven said: "We have lodged our objection against that application but we are awaiting a decision by English Heritage on the future of that building. However, we cannot let the issue get in the way of progress on The Moor scheme."
The council wants to bulldoze Castle Market to uncover remains of the former Sheffield Castle, create a new park and commercial development. A new pedestrian route is also proposed through the site to link Victoria Quays with the city centre.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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