Ministerial go-ahead for city flats block

Originally Sheffield Council's planning officers had advised that the plans, for a building with a cafe and offices on the first two floors and 24 flats above, as well as roof gardens, should be refused on the grounds of the possible flood risk.

However, in December 2008 councillors granted permission for the development, which lies on the site of the Yorkshire Co-Op Society car park in Beeley Street, on the grounds that the site had never flooded in living memory.

The application, submitted by Dore Properties, was then called in for scrutiny by the then-Secretary of State, Hazel Blears, as she felt the development went against planning policy on flood risk.

At a public inquiry in January, planning inspector Isobel McCretton said the application should be turned down on the same grounds.

However, Mr Pickles has now overturned the inspectors' decision and said the development should go ahead.

In a report published yesterday, Mr Pickles said that he had taken into account the Government's new planning policies, which abolish region-wide strategies and put decisions in the hands of local councils.

He said: "There is a significant benefit in terms of regeneration from developing this site in the manner proposed.

"Its development would be of visual benefit, would help to build confidence in the area, act as a catalyst for further investment, and encourage further development and investment.

"The detailed design and layout of the proposed development are acceptable."

Mr Pickles also said that the apartments, close to the Waitrose supermarket on the junction of Beeley Street, Boston Street and London Road, would be in a "sustainable" location with good access to facilities and services.