Green light for major Sheffield engineering works plan, bringing 170 new jobs
Plans approved on Thursday will double capacity at factory
A major Sheffield engineering firm has been given the green light for plans to double the capacity of its forge, with the creation of 170 jobs.
Sheffield Council has confirmed that the scheme has been given planning permission with the project due to be carried out at a site near Penistone Road, not far from the Sheffield speedway track and Sheffield College’s Hillsborough site.
The council approved a planning application for a ring forge, 3,000 tonne press forge bay, machine shop and several warehouses. The plans also include an extension of the current press forge and stamp hammer building.
A report which advised the planning permission was granted stated: “The principle of extending this long-established industrial use is considered acceptable in principle in land use terms, with it anticipated that once complete, the proposed enhanced operations will enable an increase of approximately 170 extra full-time staff on the site at the same time as securing the long term security of the established site and operations.
“This is an existing site, which has been used continuously in the production of steel for over 170 years.
“The development relates to the extension of established industrial buildings, demolition and erection of new buildings and structures associated with the operation of the site, and it is considered that these buildings could not be located elsewhere.”
Some concerns had been raised over flood risks by the Environment Agency, but the council report says the authority was satisfied with established flood plans and emergency flood procedures, as well as the flood resilient design of the buildings.
It stated that completed Loxley flood alleviation measures were in place, and just awaiting technical approval from the Environment Agency
The reported noted that there were plans to create a new central courtyard space which is to have seating around a central focal point, with paving and soft landscaping, to provide a welcoming break space for staff working on the site.
They also felt plans for 200 parking spaces were acceptable, mentioning that some shifts would be starting when public transport was not available.
The planning application stated the site employs 293 and the investment would add 172 jobs over a two-and-a-half year programme.
The application also notes the importance of flood defences along much of the western boundary of the site along the River Loxley following catastrophic flooding in Sheffield in 2007.
They were delivered by Sheffield City Council as part of the £11m Phase 1 of the Sheffield Upper Don Valley Flood Protection Scheme, which was completed in autumn 2023.