Back-to-back homes to return to Smithfield in former industrial area in Sheffield city centre
A Sheffield industrial area is slowly going back to residential
A developer plans to reintroduce back-to-back family homes in what was one of Sheffield’s most important industrial areas.
Sky-House Co wants to build 24 homes on Smithfield, in Furnace Hill Conservation Area.
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It was once home to ‘dense’ back-to-back housing built around industrial works.
The area slopes down to the A61 Shalesmoor, with popular Kelham Island on the other side of the road.
Sheffield City Council says: “Furnace Hill was one of the most important industrial areas in the city and was partly built in response to the early 18th Century expansion of Sheffield.
“This growth took the form of dense back-to-back terraced housing built around central courtyards with outbuildings and industrial works amongst the housing.
“By the 19th Century this housing was seen as very poor due to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions and by the 20th Century slum clearance programmes had removed a lot of the original buildings, replacing them with much larger light industrial units and in some cases clearing the land altogether.’
The new houses would be adjacent to the Grade II listed Kutrite Works on Snow Lane, the “centrepiece” of the conservation area, according to Sky-House Co chief executive David Cross.
He added: "Smithfield represents another opportunity for us to reintroduce houses back into the city, in areas historically characterised by traditional streets and strong neighbourhood identity.
"The stepped red brick street scene reflects the historic grain of Shalesmoor, while the bespoke homes at the top of the hill take full advantage of Sheffield's dramatic topography.”
Smithfield would be all electric, low carbon, three-bed homes aimed at families.
Subject to planning approval, construction is expected to commence in late 2026, with and take about 18 months.
The company is also working on a development of flats and homes on nearby Copper Street, which is on track for completion this year.
In February, Sheffield City Council unveiled plans for 750 homes in Furnace Hill around the cementation furnace on Doncaster Street.
Built in 1848, it is the only remaining cementation furnace in Sheffield and is Grade II listed and a scheduled ancient monument.
Furnace Hill Conservation Area also includes:
- John Watts Cutlery Works on Lambert Street (Grade II listed), an example of cutlery production with links to earlier living on site. Large relief lettering is a distinctive feature of the building. Recently converted to residential
- Former Hope Works and G W Potts on Furnace Hill known also as White Croft Works now converted to residential
- Don Cutlery Works on Doncaster Street (Grade II listed)