Greenlight for housing in Sheffield city centre despite objection over 'major sewer'
“We are delighted that Sheffield’s planning department saw the value of this scheme for the regeneration of this area of the city”
A developer is set to build 31 homes for rent on a brownfield site in Sheffield city centre despite an objection from Yorkshire Water over a major sewer.
Sky-House Co has won approval for a £10.5m scheme near Decathlon.
Yorkshire Water lodged a formal objection about the plan for the former Bernard Works site at Sylvester Gardens in the Cultural Industries Quarter, about a ‘major sewer’ crossing the site.
It states: “If excavations were required it would be very difficult to use machinery, store spoil and maintain a safe working environment for YW staff.
“Access is already curtailed by the opposing building so the proposal would make the situation even worse.”
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In response, Sheffield City Council planners said it won’t “worsen the existing situation”.
The development has received a £643,000 grant from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund.
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Sky-House Co director David Cross said: “We are delighted that Sheffield’s planning department saw the value of this scheme for the regeneration of this area of the city.
“We have worked closely with stakeholders to bring forward a scheme that will make a positive contribution to the area, delivering high-quality homes, affordable housing and commercial space in a unique waterside setting.”
The plot was owned by Elmsdale Estates, of Broomgrove Road, Broomhall, and used as a car park without permission since at least 2022.
It closed in March this year after Sheffield City Council took enforcement action.
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Now it will be 29 two-bed homes, one one-bed, one four-bed and one five-bed home.
Six will be affordable ‘discount market rent’ homes, typically 20 per cent cheaper than the open market. There will be no parking.
Sky House Co has pledged to build a walkway beside the Porter Brook which runs along the back of the site, described as a ‘missing link’ in the Porter Brook Trail.
The firm has also said it will pay £35,000 towards the ecological enhancement of the Porter Brook.
A Sheffield City Council planner’s report states it would “transform” the site.
“It is considered that the development would contribute positively to the character and appearance of the CIQ Conservation Area,” it states.
“It would transform a visually unappealing site prone to low quality uses (such as parking) into a relatively dense but well arranged and visually pleasing residential enclave with a design approach which is respectful of the industrial heritage of the area whilst embracing more modern building styles and providing good definition of public, residential and commercial spaces.”