New apartments in historic Sheffield square get the green light

Plans to create apartments in Sheffield’s only Georgian square have been given the go-ahead.
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Developer Burnt Stones Property applied to convert an empty, three-storey office building in historic Paradise Square into 11 flats – and the city council has now granted planning permission.

The application relates to numbers 4 and 6 in the square, which sits on a slope off Campo Lane behind the Anglican cathedral.

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Built by Thomas and Nicholas Broadbent between 1736 and 1790, the site was an important spot for public gatherings, often with a political edge.

Paradise Square. Picture: Chris EtchellsParadise Square. Picture: Chris Etchells
Paradise Square. Picture: Chris Etchells

A crowd of 2,000 once attacked troops there at a banned Chartist meeting, and a plaque dedicated to John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, commemorates the day when he preached to huge numbers in the square in 1779.

However, in the 200 years after the first buildings were put up, the place became a haunt for gamblers and drunks, harming its reputation.

A revamp in the 1960s returned the Grade II* listed quad to some semblance of its former glory, and its emergence as the city’s legal hub made it a sought-after address.

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Now there are moves to have more people living in the square – Burnt Stones Property already secured planning permission to turn 8 Paradise Square into four apartments last year.

Numbers 4 and 6 Paradise Square. Picture: Chris EtchellsNumbers 4 and 6 Paradise Square. Picture: Chris Etchells
Numbers 4 and 6 Paradise Square. Picture: Chris Etchells

The latest project, which like 8 Paradise Square has been designed by Axis Architecture, involves sub-dividing the internal space, repairing windows and creating stores for bikes and bins.

Concerns were raised by The Georgian Group about proposed roof windows, while the Council for British Archaeology called for those behind the scheme to ‘be mindful’ of the buildings’ interior.

But, explaining their decision to grant approval, city council officers said: “A pragmatic and sympathetic approach has been taken to convert and re-use these vacant buildings. The extent of the proposed works is not considered to have a significant and harmful effect.”

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In 2018 a 10-year masterplan called ‘This Is Sheffield’ stated the ambition of creating a new ‘open space for events and enjoyment’ in the courtyard.

But the cobbles are used as a private car park during the day – meaning a way of removing the vehicles will need to be found.

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