Sheffield's party street set for another takeaway in revamped building, despite health concerns
Sheffield’s famous party street, West Street, is set for another takeaway, despite concerns from health experts.
Sheffield Council has just given planning permission for another food outlet in the newly revamped Northgate House building on the corner of West Street and Orange Street.
It had previously been university offices.
Sheffield Council has agreed for the site to have a takeaway on the ground floor, and a couple of shop units on the side. It had originally been planned as flats and a shop.
A council report stated: “The application relates to a building formerly used as offices, and to which prior notification has previously been approved for conversion to residential units and full planning permission for a further storey to create additional residential accommodation.
“This application seeks permission for the alteration to the upper ground floor to split the previously approved shop into a shop and hot foot take away and the partial conversion of lower ground floor to form two. retail shops to the rear.”
However, the report added there were concerns over another fast food shop opening, and how it sits with council health policies.
It stated: “The opinion of Public Health is that the addition of another fast-food outlet in an area with already high takeaway density and poor health outcomes runs counter to these visions and risks further entrenching an unhealthy local food environment, making it harder for residents - especially children and young people - to live healthily.
“These points raised are fully noted and are considered within the balance of this application. The addition of one further takeaway unit in the city centre is not however, considered to be reasonable grounds for refusal in this specific location.
“Should all four units be proposed as takeaways then this may be deemed as an over proliferation in this particular location – but it remains that this is a city centre environment rather than a suburban, residential location where the number of outlets could be considered more impactful.”
Officials said there were 34 takeaways in the Devonshire Quarter area, which includes West Street, and that health and disability deprivation in the proposed area was in the top 20 per cent in the city.
Planning permission was granted, but opening hours will be limited to 8am until 11pm to reduce the disturbance caused for nearby residents.