Housing scheme 
to revive industrial eyesore

Loxley Works, off Loxley Road, dates back to the Industrial Revolution but is currently said to be in “very poor condition”, with “signs of subsidence and partially collapsed roofs and beams”.

The site has also been described by developers as a “scar” on Sheffield’s picturesque Loxley valley, in the north west of the city.

Sheffield architectural design consultancy Coda Studios has now had plans approved which will see the redundant mill building, originally constructed as a small-scale rolling mill during the development of steel works in the area, into 11 “loft-style” houses.

Coda Studios says that the development of eight two-bedroomed homes and three three-bedroomed homes will “use the industrial features of the site” and involve a partial conversion and partial demolition of the former works.

Managing director David Cross said: “This is going to be a very difficult and challenging project, a totally unique development.

“We will be creating loft-style dwellings, using the original industrial features but at the same time remaining completely true to the green belt setting as well as saving the history and heritage of the area.

“We feel our design team has created something totally unique for this area of Sheffield.”

Before the application went to the last meeting of Sheffield Council’s north and west planning board, objections to the development came from four different neighbours who cited concerns such as potential noise, traffic and a loss of privacy.

The Loxley Valley Protection Society, meanwhile, said that the design was “very good and innovative” but added that any extra traffic is likely to add to the existing traffic congestion problems at nearby Malin Bridge.

Members of the Loxley Valley Design Statement Group said that the development would be a “reasonable solution to a problem site” although added that light pollution from the new properties would be “inevitable.”

Another submission came from the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) which said that, while it supported the “principle of the development”, it would be important that “every effort is made to ensure that harm to the character of the area is minimised.”

Although the site lies within designated green belt land and is therefore subject to additional regulations, Sheffield Council’s planning officers had recommended to councillors that they approve the plans.

In the report that went before the committee meeting, the planning officials said that the “proposed alterations to this former industrial building are acceptable, with the proposed works considered to represent a sympathetic conversion that would retain many of the building’s attractive features.”

They added: “The development is not considered to raise any significant highway concerns or result in neighbouring properties to experience any loss of outlook, or loss of privacy that would be harmful to their residential amenity.

“Conditions attached to the planning approval seek the submission of all external materials, including surface materials and the standard suite of highway conditions to ensure safe access on to the adjacent highway.

“These should ensure a high quality development is achieved and that the local planning authority have control over any future alterations and extensions that could affect the character and appearance of the development and ensuring the development.”