Market building's listing could checkmate castle scheme

PLANS to unearth the remains of Sheffield Castle and turn it into a tourist attraction could be halted because an application has been made to give the market building on the site Listed status.

English Heritage yesterday said it is considering a request to preserve the Castle Market, due to be demolished when stallholders move to a newly built complex.

Under ambitious council-led plans, the markets building will disappear to be replaced with a new street linking the Sheffield canal basin at Victoria Quays with the city centre.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As part of the idea, it is hoped that a new public park could be created around whatever remains are found by archaeologists of Sheffield Castle, which was built in 1270.

However, the scheme could hit a brick wall if the listing application is successful because the council, which owns the market building, would struggle to get permission to demolish it.

There are several other controversial buildings close to the markets, including the Old Town Hall, which was also the city's law courts, and the former Co-op department store Castle House.

The Old Town Hall has been empty and unused for more than 10 years, and Castle House was recently awarded Grade II status despite the fact that it is almost empty and an opposition campaign from city leaders.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is thought that it would be difficult to find an alternative use for a listed Castle Market building once the new market opens on The Moor, on other side of the city centre.

Howard Greaves, chairman of Hallamshire Historic Buildings Society, said: "I am very surprised an application has been made to list Castle Market. I can't particularly see the architectural merit.

"It would be a better thing to see it go and for the castle remains to be excavated and exposed, which could be a massive tourist attraction. Preserving the building would put that project at risk."

Sheffield Council leader Coun Paul Scriven said: "I'm mightily surprised that someone has applied to have Castle Market listed, particularly when we have exciting plans to open up the castle remains underneath.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"As a council, we will go through the process to see if there is any reason we can use to challenge the application to list the building, so our plans for the area do not have to stop."

An English Heritage spokeswoman yesterday confirmed the application had been made and said a decision would be made at a later date. She would not reveal who had made the request.