Why Sheffield’s new plan for looking after its heritage is a UK first: ‘Citizens are leading the way’

An overarching plan governing how Sheffield looks after its most historic places will soon be finalised after years of work – representing a national first.
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Joined Up Heritage Sheffield – a charitable organisation that brings together Friends groups, campaigners and experts, among others – has published a draft version of the city’s first heritage strategy, which was drawn up following consultation with members of the public as well as major bodies like the council and both city universities.

The document – understood to be the country's first community-led blueprint of its kind – sets out a vision for the 10 years up to 2030, and reflects a feeling that Sheffield could do more to promote its history.

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It is thought that having a strategy in place could help to boost visitor numbers and potentially bring in funding for projects worth millions of pounds.

Eye Witness Works, where Taylor's Eye Witness once made knives on Milton Street not far from Devonshire Green, is being revamped at a cost of £21 million. Developer Capital & Centric wants to spend £200 million in Sheffield in the coming years.Eye Witness Works, where Taylor's Eye Witness once made knives on Milton Street not far from Devonshire Green, is being revamped at a cost of £21 million. Developer Capital & Centric wants to spend £200 million in Sheffield in the coming years.
Eye Witness Works, where Taylor's Eye Witness once made knives on Milton Street not far from Devonshire Green, is being revamped at a cost of £21 million. Developer Capital & Centric wants to spend £200 million in Sheffield in the coming years.

The plan deals with heritage of all kinds – from the city’s buildings and museums to its industrial past, views and open spaces.

At the heart of the strategy are five key aims.

“Our vision is that within ten years, Sheffield will come to understand and celebrate its heritage; champion a diverse heritage reflecting diverse Sheffield; exploit the economic potential of heritage; support the educational value of heritage; strengthen the resonance of heritage with people today, and recognise its relevance to the future,” the draft says.

In other areas of the country, the authors point out, such plans have been put together by local councils to meet requirements in the National Planning Policy Framework.

Sheffield's Old Town Hall Sheffield's Old Town Hall
Sheffield's Old Town Hall
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“Sheffield is taking a different approach; this strategy has been created independently of the local authority but fulfils the NPPF objective. As the first grassroots, community-led heritage strategy in the country, Sheffield can be proud that its citizens are leading the way in promoting, conserving and enhancing its heritage for the benefit of the whole city. It demonstrates the positive work being done to nurture heritage in the city and sets out aims for the future. It is a call for the local authority and national heritage agencies to support that work.”

Heritage, the authors say, is ‘an integral part of any city’.

“Its influence runs across many facets of Sheffield life. We need a heritage strategy to advocate the benefits of heritage to those for whom heritage is not a central concern, supporting the positive inclusion of heritage in wide-ranging decisions across the city. We also need it to support and enhance the great variety of heritage activity already taking place in Sheffield - collections, conservation, cultural events, development management, education, planning, policy, research and visitor attractions.”

The strategy features an action plan setting out measures to be taken in the short, medium and long term.

Kelham Island Museum. Picture: Andrew RoeKelham Island Museum. Picture: Andrew Roe
Kelham Island Museum. Picture: Andrew Roe
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These include seeking funding for a dedicated heritage officer, and publishing a local list of historic assets. Links are to be strengthened with businesses, ‘at risk’ registers will be updated and a group of marketing professionals will be asked to focus on heritage.

A further priority is to improve the city’s profile with national funding bodies, and there is an aim to develop links between the city council and community groups to make sure societies are involved in the re-use of old buildings.

The draft ‘does not, at this stage, suggest who takes responsibility for each action’, the document says.

The strategy's publication follows high-profile appeals to save sites such as Sheffield’s Old Town Hall and Birley Spa, a Grade II-listed Victorian bathhouse which, unusually, still stands in its original grounds.

The Cholera Monument, Sheffield. Picture: Chris EtchellsThe Cholera Monument, Sheffield. Picture: Chris Etchells
The Cholera Monument, Sheffield. Picture: Chris Etchells
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There is also renewed enthusiasm about repurposing characterful old buildings like Eye Witness Works, a former cutlery factory that is undergoing a £21 million revamp to become apartments.

In the Royal Society of Arts’ most recent Heritage Index, Sheffield scored in the bottom three per cent of local authority areas for the way it conserved its historic built environment, and also lagged behind with its industrial heritage, parks and open space, and its museums, archives and artefacts.

But the city was ranked in the top 44 per cent for 'culture and memories’, and the top eight per cent for its landscape and natural heritage.

“The city really needs a heritage strategy," said JUHS chair Jon Bradley. “As it explains, heritage is an integral part of city life, offering many benefits – economic, social, educational – if it’s approached constructively Plenty of places have strategies but they’re mainly produced by the local council. Sheffield’s is the first to be genuinely a community product and all the stronger, and more comprehensive, for that.”

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JUHS believes its work could set a template for other UK towns and cities to follow.

“We want the widest and deepest range of comments on the draft,” said Jon. “This is an opportunity for everyone to have a say, whether an individual or an organisation. Please let us know what you think.”

Comments should be sent to [email protected] by February 10.

The final version of the strategy will be launched in March.

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