University objects to ‘wholly inappropriate’ flats scheme

BOSSES at Sheffield University have objected to plans for a new seven-storey block of student flats to be built on the doorstep of their engineering department.

Under the proposals, the vacant four-storey Portobello House office building in Portobello Street would be demolished and replaced with 128 student flats.

The site is close to a new multi-storey car park as well as the university’s Amy Johnson and Sir Robert Hadfield engineering department buildings.

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In the report set to go before Sheffield Council’s planning board next week, city planners say: “The proposal seeks to demolish a vacant four-storey building, which is positioned at the junction of Portobello Street and Orange Street and occupies approximately 50 per cent of the site.

“A replacement U-shaped building of seven storeys is proposed, which will occupy the whole site and provide 128 self-contained student flats.”

Just one objection has been received to the plans, which planning officials have recommended should be approved.

In a letter to Sheffield Council, Keith Lilley, director of estates at Sheffield University, says his organisation “strongly objects.”

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Mr Lilley said: “We are of the opinion that the street scene on both Portobello Street and Orange Street will be completely altered by this development and have a negative effect on the surrounding properties.

“The scale and massing of the scheme is wholly inappropriate for the location.”

He adds that the university has “strong concerns that the proposed scheme will have a negative impact on the operations of a highly successful department of the university”, and points out that the flats would be immediately next to a 24-hour research laboratory.

However, city planners say the development is “considered acceptable in principle” and would “regenerate an underused site in a sustainable location.”

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In the report set to go before the planning board, they say the “scale of building can be accommodated without having a harmful impact on the townscape” and occupiers of adjacent properties would “not be adversely affected.”

Councillors will make a decision at the planning committee meeting, taking place next Tuesdayat the Town Hall.