Developers told to protect listed buildings in Sheffield university clear-out to raise 'vital funds'
Sheffield Hallam must save £30m this year, on top of £40min in 2025
Sheffield Hallam University expects the ‘special green character’ and ‘parkland feel’ of Collegiate Campus to be respected by developers as it sells off heritage properties.
It wants buyers to maintain buildings, mature trees and some public paths, carry out sensitive refurbishments, and ‘explore’ replacing ‘unsympathetic’ modern extensions with higher-quality alternatives.
It also wants community sports provision to continue.
It is unclear which conditions are a deal-breaker and which are a nice-to-have.
The demands come as the university seeks feedback from neighbours, students and staff ahead of marketing in early 2027 and the first sales from 2028.
Sheffield Hallam must save £30m this year, on top of £40min in 2025.
In February it announced plans to sell eight mansions off Collegiate Crescent and a six-storey accommodation block and Victorian lodge on Broomhall Road.
A spokesperson for Sheffield Hallam University said they wanted to be a good neighbour.
“We recognise that Collegiate is an important part of Sheffield, located within the Broomhall Conservation Area and with a distinctive green and historic character that people value. We want to be a good neighbour and engage openly throughout this process.
“That is why we are speaking to residents, our staff and students at this early stage. Their views will help us develop a shared set of priorities for the sites and make clear what we expect from any purchaser.”
The university would also seek to formalise a “small number” of public paths through the campus, they added.
Sheffield MPs have called for the sites to be redeveloped for housing to take pressure off Sheffield’s green belt, which is earmarked for thousands of homes.
The spokesperson said residential use was likely but could include business or healthcare.
The sell-off includes Oak Lodge, Mundella House and Montgomery House - which are listed - The Mews, Parkholme, Southborne, Whitehouse, Woodville Hall and Woodville Lodge.
In May, it sold its first campus building, on Broomgrove Road, which was up for £600,000.
The university says it is continuing to invest in the remainder of Collegiate Campus, including a recent investment of more than £4m to enhance facilities for health, social care, nursing and sport courses.
Sheffield Hallam’s wider estates strategy has seen significant investment in its City Campus and the majority of teaching and learning activity moved into Sheffield city centre.
Drop-in sessions are from 4pm-7.30pm on Wednesday, September 23 and 2-4.30pm on Thursday, September 24 at the Heart of the Campus Building, Collegiate Crescent.
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