‘Innovative’ new college to get the green light

The UTC, within the city’s Cultural Industries Quarter close to Sheffield Hallam University, is one of just 19 to be funded by the Government and the only one to be given the go-ahead so far in Yorkshire.

It will open in September 2013 and train up to 600 children aged between 14 and 19 in the engineering and digital sectors, while also teaching GCSEs including maths and English.

Organisations including Sheffield College, Firth Rixson and Newburgh Engineering are already involved in the project.

City planners have now advised members of Sheffield Council to grant consent for the £8.5m development at a meeting on Monday, August 13.

They say the proposed three-storey building, to be developed on what is currently a car park on the corner of Matilda Street and Shoreham Street, will “present an excellent and welcome addition to the city centre”.

Just four objections have been received in relation to the scheme, most of those focusing on the proposed rooftop football pitch.

Coun Rob Murphy says the floodlit pitch could “impact a number of residents” and its hours should be limited.

However, the Sheffield Sustainable Development and Design Panel has disagreed, saying the pitch, “together with associated uses such as the cafe and roof terrace, is interesting and has the potential to create an exciting series of spaces as well as offering views across the city”.

Andrew Cropley, an executive director of the Sheffield College, which is the lead sponsor of the UTC, has previously described the design for the building as “truly innovative”.