Moorfoot Square: New park with cycling infrastructure and sculpture in Sheffield city centre moves closer

Moorfoot Square would have greenery, space for public events, play equipment, cycling infrastructure and a sculpture.

With an area of 1.38 acres, it would require the demolition of a block occupied by shops and businesses including Dempseys LGBTQ+ Bar & Club and El Paso Mexican restaurant.

The square is in plans for 2,180 new homes including 700 flats for ‘young professionals’ in the Moorfoot building.

The council wants the end of The Moor shopping area ‘to become a new iconic gateway development, where residents benefit from a compact and sustainable living close to the heart of the retail core’. It also wants a new urban square ‘at its heart.’

Last week, council chiefs Kate Josephs and Coun Tom Hunt showed off the plans to Matthew Pennycook MP, minister for housing and planning and Eamonn Boylan, interim chief executive of quango Homes England.

Kate Josephs said it had been a “really interesting and exciting visit.”

She added: “I think we were all left with a sense of the art of the possible when you work in partnership.”

The Sheffield City Centre Priority Neighbourhood Frameworks document from 2022 states Moorfot Square would be “a terminating vista along The Moor.”

It adds: “This should be delivered as a high-quality square with greenery, and outdoor space for celebrating public events, play, and community and wider city activities. A landmark element, such as an installation or sculpture, can activate the square and represent Sheffield’s aspirations.”

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It would “improve green infrastructure including the delivery of a new city park,” it adds.

Meanwhile, a bus interchange at Moorfoot Square would serve the west of the city centre.

Moorfoot Square would be about the same size as the new Pound’s Park on Wellington Street.