The NRQ is absolutely essential to the economic regeneration of Sheffield but if plans go ahead in their current form, some crucial elements of Sheffield history will be lost forever.

Over the years Sheffield City Council has consented to the demolition and replacement of many elegant Victorian buildings with some of the worst examples of post war architecture in the country. These buildings have now gone for good. The side of Pinstone Street facing the Peace Gardens represents one of the only untouched (almost) historic streets in Sheffield and must be retained at all costs.

Thanks to previous short sighted decisions there are now an abundance of shocking buildings crying out for redevelopment. Moreover, there is plenty of space available in the NRQ for modern retail space – which I fully understand the need for – and the project will benefit immensely from the integration of old and new.

Coun Paul Scriven should be commended on his efforts to retain these buildings while ushering in a new era of economic prosperity in Sheffield. The council must now seize this opportunity to make amends for some of the worst planning decisions of the last 60 years.