Decision nears in row which threatens to de-rail one of Sheffield’s biggest housing projects
26 storey block could be left half built
A row which threatens to de-rail one of Sheffield’s biggest housing projects could be resolved this month.
Code Student Accommodation has been building one of Sheffield’s tallest buildings on the corner of Rockingham Street, Wellington Street and Trafalgar Street for months.
The building, which is due to be 26 floors at at its highest point is already well under way - but the company has warned Sheffield Council that it will leave the site half built if is not allowed to fill the building with just studio apartments, rather than a mix of different types.
Code wants to fill it entirely with studio flats - small flats with their own cooking facilities - with the provision of other social spaces on other floors.
But Sheffield Council wants them to make 14 per cent of the flats ‘en-suite’, where the flats are built around a shared lounge and kitchen.
Code says it has already spent £10m on the project, but can only continue with the £125m scheme if it gets finance - which it says its bank will only approve if it is constructing a building containing only ‘shared living’ studio flats.
The council rejected its request to change the stipulation on the mixture of flats earlier this year.
Now it is confirmed that the matter is going to appeal, and Sheffield Council has confirmed there will be a hearing on Tuesday, September 29
The council says it will not comment further on the matter, as it an ongoing planning application.
The appeal is made to the Secretary of State, and will be heard by The Planning Inspectorate.