£15m retail scheme in store for city as planners urge approval

The Moor’s landlord, Scottish Widows Investment Partnership, has submitted a planning application for the landmark development on the site of the former McDonalds restaurant at the corner of Furnival Gate, opposite Debenhams.

The store, complete with a big screen, is being described as a “gateway” to The Moor area and would incorporate one large three-floor shop and two smaller shops.

If planning consent is granted by Sheffield Council at a meeting due to be held next Monday, it is thought that work on the scheme will begin early in the New Year.

Around £15m would then be spent on both building the new development and also revamping the surrounding streets with new bus shelters and improved pavements.

Despite having reservations about the big screen aspect of the development, which it is claimed could be a distraction for motorists and pedestrians, city planners have advised that councillors grant planning permission for the project.

The report set to go before the meeting said the scale of the development was appropriate for the area, using reconstituted Portland Stone.

“The proposed glazed corner, if executed well, will be a striking feature worthy of this very prominent location,” it said.

“The digital screen is not considered to be appropriate in this highly prominent location and, from an aesthetic perspective, it will detract from the building’s architecture and the existing character of the area.

“From a highways perspective, with mitigation works in place, the digital screen is considered to cause a distraction to both pedestrians and drivers to the detriment of public safety.

“However, given the wider regeneration and economic benefits of the development, this screen is on balance viewed as acceptable.”

Debenhams has written to Sheffield Council over the plans, saying that while the project is “welcomed”, consultation should take place with other retailers before further work is carried out on “street furniture, shelters and kiosks” which it said already cluttered streets in the area.

In response to Debenhams’ representation, Scottish Widows says that a consultation will take place with retailers “when more advanced designs have been produced” so that “everyone’s views can be taken into account as the scheme moves forward”.

One member of the public has submitted comments on the scheme, saying that the “proposal promises to be an attractive replacement for the drab building already on the site”.

Concluding that councillors should grant conditional approval for the development to go ahead, city planners say: “Given the central location, and as the proposal will represent a reduction in gross retail floor space, the scheme will not put any additional pressure on city centre car parking or public transport.

“The applicant will be improving the width of the footway onto Matilda Street and providing two new bus shelters onto Furnival Gate, which is welcomed.

“The public art contribution for the development will be incorporated into three new kiosks within the adjacent public realm.”

Discount furniture and gift store “Stone The Crows”, which is currently on the site, is set to relocate to new premises on the other side of The Moor this month.

However, the existing Stone The Crows store will also continue trading until the end of January next year, when the current building is set to be demolished before building works commence.

Next Monday’s planning board meeting begins at 2pm and will be held at Sheffield Town Hall.