Sheffield tower block could become Yorkshire's tallest building

Plans have been unveiled for a new skyscraper in Sheffield

Author: Liam ArrowsmithPublished 3rd Jan 2024

Plans for a new 40-story tower block in Sheffield are expected to be given the go ahead - with the tower set to become Yorkshire's tallest building.

The applicants submitted proposals in July 2022 to demolish the existing building on High Street and build hundreds of new homes.

It could also include a commercial unit on the ground floor.

The co-living residential tower would be made up of 428 co-living units, including one four-bed cluster, 37 five-bed clusters, 37 six-bed clusters, one seven-bed cluster, one 10-bed cluster, and seven studios.

Private units will come with their own kitchen, bathroom, storage, workspace and where possible, a balcony.

Shared units on each floor will have a large family room including a kitchen and dining area, TV/gaming room, work and study room, guest toilets, storage and a unit kept for overnight guests.

Residents will also be able to use, at no additional cost, workspaces, cycle stores, private meeting and dining rooms, cinema/presentation rooms, gym, bar and lounges, and roof terraces will be incorporated “wherever possible”.

The developer has also agreed to a contribution of £75,000 to the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive for new and improved facilities at the Castle Square tram stop.

In 2020, a similar plan was approved. Then, the plan was to create a 39-storey tower with 206 apartments.

The new application for ‘Kings Tower’ has received seven objections from residents, an objection from City ward councillor, Cllr Ruth Mersereau (Green Party) and the Sheffield Conservation Advisory Group.

Objectors have issues with the design, impact on natural daylight, congestion and the increase in people in the area.

Cllr Mersereau said “there is no value of another student block in the city centre, as there is already an oversupply”.

An officer report concluded: “The proposal accords with the aims of the City Centre Strategic Vision, which demonstrates that a high density, residential-led, mixed-use development is appropriate and the area is ideally situated for a major landmark proposal to act as a catalyst to regeneration, especially given its public transport links and gateway location.”

The development – if approved – will have to start no later than the expiration of three years from the date of the decision.

Sheffield City Council’s planning committee will discuss the application next Tuesday (January 9) at the town hall.

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