A £75m plan for flats in Sheffield is on track, with construction set to start in the first half of this year, developers say.

The Platform_ scheme on Sylvester Street, next to Decathlon, was announced by The Star in May 2017.

Owner Westrock, a real estate investor and developer, says workers have been on site doing decontamination works and shoring up the River Porter that runs along the site.

A spokesman said: “There's been no delay, just a lot of complex remediation works on a brownfield site. Construction is due to start in the first half of this year.”

The Sylvester Street site, with the Porter Brook at right. | Other 3rd Party

placeholder image — The Sylvester Street site, with the Porter Brook at right. | Other 3rd Party

The Platform_ flats will be ‘build-to-rent’ - upmarket accommodation for long-term renters that is common in the US.

Since it was announced, a large build-to-rent scheme has been opened on Summerfield Street by Grainger, which has announced plans for a second on Well Meadow Drive, Netherthorpe.

The Sylvester Street scheme will include a revamp of a stretch of the Porter Brook after it emerges from underneath Decathlon car park, which has been restored after a large hole opened up.

Platform_ has promised to plant vegetation along the edge of the stream and place rocks in the middle to slow down the flow and reintroduce habitats for wildlife. A new pedestrian route will run parallel to the river, with a bridge allowing people to access the new buildings.

An artist's impression of the Porter Brook at the Platform_ scheme on Mary Street, Sheffield. | Other 3rd Party

The site is in the Cultural Industries Quarter, defined by historic street patterns from the 18th century, evidence of early water-powered mills and traces of Sheffield’s old Little Mesters’ metal trades workshops.