Dropping controversial plans for a big supermarket on the Ecclesall Road South frontage, they have consulted residents' representatives on provisional proposals for a smaller type of retail operation, examining the idea of a specialist food hall and café or brasserie.

It is still intended to build housing at the back of the site, off Talmont Drive, but the significant change is being welcomed in principle by residents who campaigned against the Gilder group's initial strategy.

Last August councillors rejected an application for a large food supermarket and 16 houses, largely on the basis of roads being unable to cope with the extra traffic.

Gilder's believes the existing road layout could cope with the suggested development that is now starting to emerge. Instead of clearing the site, emphasis is switching to using the existing buildings.

The car showroom could be used for the sale of food, with Gilder's chief executive Garry Scotting envisaging a relatively specialist operation. "I have the dream of a food hall, selling cooking items, with a café and a deli…"

The ground floor of the workshops could be used for undercroft parking below six to ten apartments. At the back six houses and three cottages are being mooted.

The ideas have not yet been formulated into a planning application but they received a favourable initial response when presented to Banner Cross Neighbourhood Group.

"It's a very sensible use of the site," said one of the members, Ken Mosley.

However, the residents' group wants to see redevelopment combined with changes to the road layout, pressing the case for a roundabout at the junction with Psalter Lane, which it believes was first suggested in the early Sixties.

Residents see a roundabout not only as an alternative to the traffic lights but also as a potential landmark.

Viv Lockwood, secretary of BCNG, said "What Banner Cross desperately needs is a focal point for the community. A roundabout would not only help the traffic flow but would act as a distinguishing feature, rather like Hunters Bar further down the road."

The possibility is also being raised of a smaller roundabout at the Brincliffe Edge Road junction.

Mr Mosley, an architectural artist, was asked by the community group to sketch how the overall layout might look.

The obstacle, though, would be the cost, estimated at around £1.5m, with nothing in the council budget to finance it at this stage.

But Mr Mosley said: "Generally speaking we would still like the idea of a roundabout. This is a complicated junction and it looks to us as though a roundabout would solve the complications, if the funding can be found.

"This is an important route into and out of the west of Sheffield."
On the draft redevelopment plans, Mr Mosley said they addressed the problems caused by a difficult site and avoided the costs of demolition.

"We were never against the idea of redevelopment. The main objection was the problems that would be caused by a large supermarket and the overdevelopment of the site."

Mr Scotting said Gilder's were no longer pursuing the idea of an appeal to the Government after the rejection of the application last August. "We agree with the residents and the council that the scheme was ill thought out by our advisors.

"We looked at it from a practical point of view and we have solid buildings on the site. Why don't we make use of the existing buildings?"
A scheme was now being further worked up. "We are very serious about it. We think it's workable."

Mr Scotting said he was very encouraged by the positive reaction of the community representatives. "The whole meeting felt that we were trying to work together."


BUY ONLINE: The Sheffield Telegraph and Property Guide are now out every Thursday. To sign up on line click here.



MORE:
Local News
Local Sport
Arts Guide
Community News
Listings Guide
Restaurant Guide
Letters