Upmarket Sheffield flats plan is first piece in city's biggest ever regeneration project

Godwin Developments has snapped up an empty site at the junction of Farm Road and Queens Road, adjacent to Grosvenor Casino.

The firm wants to build 300 upmarket build-to-rent flats, creating 200 temporary construction jobs and 30 permanent roles when complete.

It is the first piece in a hugely ambitious £1.5bn project to redevelop the Sheaf Valley area.

Announced by Sheffield City Council in March, it would see the closure of Park Square roundabout. Sheaf Street – the dual carriageway that runs in front of the station – would swap places with the tram route that runs behind.

A huge pedestrian bridge would link Park Hill with Howard Street and the multi-storey car park on Turner Street would be demolished and moved further away. Up to 12 office blocks are planned, employing up to 3,000 people.

And up to 1,000 flats and houses could be built, with the area around Queens Road designated a new residential centre called ‘Sheaf Gardens’.

Godwin’s announcement is the first of the 20-year scheme and will delight councillors coming so soon after it was unveiled.

Stuart Pratt, Godwin group development director, said they were expecting a ‘rebound’ after the coronavirus crisis.

He added: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured this highly desirable site, situated in the Sheaf Gardens area in Sheffield.

“While mindful of the present circumstances, as a business we continue to remain focused on the future and plan for the rebound in our industry and the country.

“We look forward to working closely with local planners, the community and the city council to ensure this scheme provides the best possible opportunities for Sheffield.

“The scheme highlights yet again our expanding footprint in the build-to-rent sector and ability to maintain momentum despite current economic challenges.”

The Sheaf Valley redevelopment will establish Sheffield as a regional and national hub, with enhanced connectivity from HS2 and the Northern Powerhouse Rail, he added.

In March, Coun Mazher Iqbal, cabinet member for business and development, said the £1.5bn plan would maximise the economic potential of the area and make the most of HS2.

He added: “This is the biggest, most ambitious and most expensive development project Sheffield has seen.”

Funding could come from several public sector organisations. But the bulk - up to £1bn - would be from the private sector, which would build offices, restaurants, bars and potentially a hotel, he added.

A city council report states: ‘These investments have the potential to not just transform the city’s connectivity but also the economy of the North...the area around Midland station is currently in need of regeneration and has a large amount of unrealised development potential.

‘While improvements to the station buildings and new public realm, which were completed in 2002, still provide a very high quality arrival point, there remain several undeveloped plots in the immediate vicinity, as well as traffic congestion, conflicts between taxis and private cars and poor air quality.’

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