‘Striking’ skyscraper to be built on former Primark site in Sheffield city centre

Members of Sheffield Council’s planning committee gave their support for the landmark development in a meeting today.

To make way for the 206-apartment block named Kings Tower, a vacant retail unit that was used by Primark, in High Street, in the Castlegate area, will be demolished.

Councillor Peter Price said: “It’s a part of the city centre that has been struggling over the past few years, ever since the market was removed and I think it’s going to be a very striking building and linked to the development on Castlegate.

"There is a really exciting future for this part of the city. It will increase the footfall dramatically and therefore the retail and nightlife will begin to improve.

“All in all I think it’s a big boost to the city centre development. I look forward to seeing it.”

Coun Andrew Sangar also supported the scheme. He said: "I think those of us who want the city to go up to protect green space need to support high buildings.

"This is a really high quality design, given that this is going to be seen from many viewpoints across Sheffield it’s important this is a quality building.”

There will also be space for a commercial unit and a bar or takeaway.

As part of the works, King Street to the rear and surrounding area will be be improved with the market retained and access for vehicles.

A separate application was submitted to temporarily relocate the market to a nearby site during construction.

Sheffield Council planning officers, who recommended it for approval, said in a report ahead of the meeting: “The proposal will secure a well-designed, visually distinctive residential tower on a sustainably located brownfield site, which will create a local landmark and aid the legibility of this part of the city centre as well as providing substantial regeneration benefits.”

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