Recession-hit project for retail heart of city may be revived

Developer RREEF was given permission for the "Block One" scheme at Moorhead, on land between Rockingham Street and Charter Row, back in December 2007 but has now applied to extend that consent for a further three years because building work has not yet begun.

It was originally hoped that the development of three apartment blocks –the tallest being 27 storeys – a separate block of shops and offices, roof gardens and public realm works would be completed by summer 2009, but the plans were put on hold due to the recession.

Ten new shops, spread over 9,000 sq m of floor space, were said to be targeted at retailers not currently in Sheffield, while the offices would be aimed at smaller businesses and replace current buildings at Rockingham and Chesham House.

The scheme is part of the wider redevelopment of The Moor, which also includes building a new market and retail units on the opposite site of the street.

Earlier this month Scottish Widows Investment Partnership Property Trust, which bought much of The Moor for 26.5m in the spring, selected Centenary Ashcroft as asset and development managers to oversee the development of the area.

Centenary Ashcroft director Ranald Phillips said at the time: "We have been closely following activity on The Moor for almost a decade. We believe that its redevelopment represents an opportunity to help with the regeneration of Sheffield's city centre retail core."

The new market, to replace the derelict Castle Market, could open in 2012 at the earliest. Once Castle Market closes, Sheffield Council has long-term plans to create a public park and tourist attraction on what was once the site of Sheffield Castle.

City planners have recommended that the resubmitted plans for Moorhead are given consent when they are considered by councillors at a committee meeting on Monday, December 6.

When the scheme previously went before the planning board numerous objections were received, including one from Hammerson UK Properties which is creating the neighbouring Sevenstone New Retail Quarter development. However, just two objections have been received from members of the public regarding the resubmitted plans.

One neighbour said the existing buildings, which were created following the destruction of The Moor during two nights of heavy bombing in the Blitz, should not be demolished.

They said: "I welcome the determination of the new owners to proceed with the regeneration of The Moor, complementing the very significant efforts already made by the council.

"It remains that the demolition of Rockingham House will do serious damage to this important character area by eliminating a landmark building from a remarkably consistent architectural group that commemorates and symbolises the city's courageous efforts to rebuild itself following the disaster of war.

"As demolition seems inevitable, it is all the more important that any new buildings respect the existing architectural character and incorporate similar features."

City planners say in the report set to go before Monday's meeting that the offices and apartments would be in a "highly sustainable, central location."

The report adds: "The existing public realm to The Moor is to be replaced in its entirety, as are sections of the surrounding side streets. The public realm area in front of the markets site has now been completed."

A spokesman for NJL consulting, which is leading the planning application on behalf of RREEF, declined to comment on the resubmitted plans.