Plans for hundreds of 'car free' flats could lead to permanent closure of streets near Sheffield city centre
Developers look set to permanently shut two Sheffield streets to motorists, under private plans for hundreds of new flats near the city centre.
Sheffield Council has granted planning permission for a scheme which will bring nearly 200 new homes, but will affect two streets.
Developer Capital&Centric says the £47m development would comprise two blocks of five and six storeys on Fitzwilliam Street. They would all be rentals, ranging from studio to three-bed apartments, and the ‘Fitzwilliam’ development plot is bounded by Fitzwilliam, Egerton, Milton and Thomas streets.
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A report from Sheffield Council planning officials reveals that the scheme will be a car free development, and will look to pedestrianise Thomas Street.
It states: “It is intended that the development will be car free and a directive requiring residents to be advised of this is recommended.”
It also says Evans Street - which was the former street running through the site will be stopped up, to allow it to become part of an internal courtyard.
It adds: “Details have been submitted as part of the application, for an intention to restrict vehicular access to the northern section of Thomas Street whilst facilitating pedestrian and cycle access.”
They also state that the scheme will provide 192 residential dwellings of mixed sizes, 12 of which will be available at below market rate, a deal secured by legal agreement.
It adds: “The planning authority cannot currently demonstrate a five-year supply of housing and therefore there is a real public benefit to providing new housing at a time when increases to supply are much needed.”
There is no off-street parking proposed and the council report says that is considered to be acceptable. Cycle Parking is provided – with 103 spaces provided, for residential occupiers and a further 30 visitor spaces, which is considered to be adequate for the development at this time.
The application, by Capital&Centric, supports the proposals with information from the 2021 Census that 61.7 per cent of residents do not own a car or van, and says this this indicates most residents can travel using sustainable modes only.
The council report adds: “It is considered therefore that the approach to parking is justified and consistent with the approach to parking provision for new developments within the city centre.”
The report says that the work on Thomas Street is ‘acceptable and will help provide a pleasant pedestrian environment/pocket park style arrangement for both visitors and residents of surrounding residential units.’
It added: “The final arrangement of this will require detailed discussions between SCC/Amey and the developer and it is therefore considered reasonable that the final details of this will be agreed by condition post decision.”
Concerns had been raised about an internal courtyard being created on what had been St Thomas Street, but the reported added: “Whilst it is noted that the internal courtyard will be private, this is to ensure the security of residents and the value of the space as amenity space for residents.
“There will be landscaping around the site to the front of the building and the partial closure of Thomas Street would provide further benefits to the wider public. Whilst full public access would be beneficial, it is not considered that this can be required or that it should count against the scheme, given that the historic street has been closed and provided access to the garage only for several years now.”