Full planning approval has been granted by Sheffield City Council for the first significant phase of the West Bar mixed use development.
Phase one will see the development of No.1 West Bar Square, a new 100,000 sq ft office building with ground floor retail and leisure space. It will also deliver Soho Yard comprising 368 Build to Rent residential apartments.
Soho Yard offers 368 residential apartments within two buildings situated around a landscaped space and gardens with access via Plum Lane. The properties will be delivered and operated by Legal & General.
Ben Rodgers, Head of Regeneration at Legal & General, said: “Creating vibrant towns and cities is key to Britain’s economic growth and prosperity. Sheffield has been on a journey over the last 40 years, from industrial decline to steady growth, and now is looking to invest for the future and strengthen its position as a leading UK city. We are excited to be bringing this important scheme forward to meet this ambition and look forward to continuing to work with the council, Urbo and local residents to deliver modern and fit-for-purpose office space which responses to local needs.”
Scheme developer, Urbo (West Bar) Ltd, a joint venture between Urbo Regeneration and Peveril Securities (the development arm of the Bowmer and Kirkland Group) has already secured the £150m funding to deliver the first phase from Legal & General.
The partnership plans to deliver a £300m mixed use destination that is expected to create around 6,000 – 8,000 new jobs as well as supporting Sheffield’s major housing needs.
As part of the redevelopment, car parking overall at West Bar will be reduced, however new electric charging points alongside low emission vehicle spaces will be created. A separate planning application for a new, 450 space multi-storey car park which will also form part of Phase One and will be submitted shortly.
Peter Swallow, Managing Director at Urbo, said: “We have been working closely with Sheffield City Council and other key stakeholders for many years to bring forward this important regeneration scheme and we are delighted to secure full planning consent to be able to move forward with construction.
“No.1 West Bar Square delivers against evidenced demand for large footprint, high quality modern office accommodation that currently lacking in Sheffield city centre. It complements the existing West Bar neighbourhood which already boasts key office occupiers including the Home Office, top 50 law firm Irwin Mitchell and the Crown and Family Courts.”
Phase two plans for West Bar include a second Legal & General-funded, 100,000 sq ft office building, with further phases ultimately providing 1 million sq ft of mixed-use accommodation, of which over 500,000 sq ft will be Grade A office space.
