Former Sheffield bank set to become bar and restaurant, as officials give green light to businessman's plans
Disused building had at one stage been exploited by criminals
A former Sheffield bank looks set to be converted into a restaurant.
Sheffield Council has now approved planning permission for the scheme, which would see the conversion of the former Yorkshire Bank building on Lound Side, in Chapeltown.
Businessman Jordan Pierpoint’s plans would see the currently empty building redeveloped as a bar/ restaurant.
He also wants to create an outside seating area to the side and front of the building.
Previous plans for the building have included demolishing it and building flats, with some shops at the ground level, but that was refused because its scale and because it would not fit in with the area.
A report recommending the site was approved raised concerns over late night noise, but said it would be possible to put conditions on how late it could open.
It stated: “The use is appropriate within this central location. The reuse of the building would trigger investment in the public appearance of the building offering an improvement over the current run down vacant situation. The use would add to the vibrancy of the centre.“
The report added: “There are other later night businesses in the area including pubs shops and takeaways.
“A condition would therefore be attached to limit hours of operation to 8am to 12 midnight and the external areas from 8am to 10pm. Further conditions can also be added to restrict hours of deliveries, waste sorting and also restrict amplified sound.”
The planning permission has imposed those time restrictions.
There were no public objections the the plans. But one letter in support of the scheme stated: “I fully support this proposal to convert a derelict, former bank that has been used for criminal activity whilst left empty into a potentially thriving business.”
The empty building hit the headlines last year, when it was raided by South Yorkshire Police.
They raided the former bank in November over concerns that it was being used as the base of a cannabis farm. Police seized 300 cannabis plants and made two arrests.