Developers win appeal to replace Old Coroner's Court in Sheffield with apartments

The inspector ruled that the Old Coroner's Court on Nursery Street can be knocked down and replaced with 77 apartments.

It brings to an end several years of campaigning to save the building, which dates back to 1913 and was designed as a state-of-the-art coroners court, mortuary, post mortem rooms, viewing chapel and witnesses’ waiting room.

The planning board refused the scheme last October, saying it was “plain” and “unattractive” and wouldn’t fit in with the heritage of the River Don and Wicker.

But the inspector has overruled the committee and says the flats “contribute favourably towards the character and appearance of the area.”

Developers Firestone already had permission to demolish the building, which is not listed nor in a conservation area, so winning the appeal means they can start work on clearing and redeveloping the site.

Heritage campaigner and Green Party member Brian Holmshaw said: “I am frustrated by the council’s lack of progress on the Castlegate Conservation Area.

"The long-awaited plans for the conservation area were cancelled out of the blue and for no real reason anyone could understand.

"The historic Old Coroner’s Court building could have been protected and preserved by bringing in this long planned conservation area by the council. I’m now concerned for other heritage buildings in the area.”

Green City ward councillor Douglas Johnson had campaigned strongly to save the building and said it was a “disappointing outcome".

"The sensitive reuse of historic buildings retains the irreplaceable, builds on local heritage, and significantly reduces carbon emissions.

“Standard demolition and construction uses huge amounts of energy and releases far too much CO2 through use of concrete and steel.

"There must be more incentives to refurbish and refit buildings, not to destroy them and build from scratch.”

During the original planning meeting, Firestone said all avenues had been assessed and the only solution was the apartment scheme.

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