MAKE or break talks are taking place between City Lofts and Sheffield Council to resolve a row over changes to the cladding of the 32-storey apartment block at St Paul's Place.
Work is continuing but developers have warned that, unless negotiations are successful, they may walk away - leaving the landmark scheme an unfinished concrete shell.
Architect Tim Bowder-Ridger has admitted City Lofts "took a risk" and did not fu
lly work out its design before applying for planning permission.
Mr Bowder-Ridger, project director of design experts Conran and Partners, said that was the reason the tower's appearance had to change - denying an allegation the firm had to cut costs.
Sheffield Council's city centre, south and east planning board has twice refused City Lofts permission to change the sleek exterior, which was originally clear floor-to-ceiling glass on each level.
The altered design had more coloured panels, to provide greater
insulation, plus windows which were split in half with aluminium bars and had cross bars breaking the clear vertical lines.
But planning board members said such changes would turn the development into an "eyesore".
Mr Bowder-Ridger said: "We are trying to establish if there is anything else we can do, but it's now the last chance saloon. This is make or break and if the matter is not resolved in a matter of weeks, we have a fundamental problem.
"It would be a tragedy if the whole building dies because of controversy over a detail like a metal bar."
Mr Bowder-Ridger said windows had to be changed, as allowing the panels to open only halfway up instead of full-length would mean they could open to 90 degrees, providing better ventilation.
And he said it was proposed some glass panels should be coloured so they could be filled with insulation to make the building more energy-efficient. He said the company took "a risk" with initial plans.
Mr Bowder-Ridger said: "Changes weren't driven by a desire to save costs. The developers instructed the design team to get the planning application through as quickly as possible."
He added detailed design work was still to be done after planning permission was granted in 2005 which determined alterations were necessary.
But the company had "not been negligent" as it was liaising with council officers while developing its design, Mr Bowder-Ridger said.
He added highly-criticised panels which had a plastic appearance were put on the tower "as an experiment" but all cladding was to be made from stone, terracotta, bronze, glass and anodised aluminium.
"We do not use plastic," he said.
Mike Norris, director of City Lofts, said: "Across the UK, developers are walking away from high-profile developments and jobs are being lost, ravaged by tough economic conditions.
"We are committed to this scheme but if that commitment to the economic and symbolic regeneration of Sheffield is not shared by the council we
need to know now, because we have 300 workers on site."
"There is no question that we are replacing glazing with plastic panels to save costs. The proposed changes to the scheme are relatively minor."
Sheffield Council leader Coun Paul Scriven said: "The original City Lofts scheme remains approved the council have worked tirelessly to try and find a solution with the developers.
"On the day, the planning board decided to reject the amendments and as the independent legal body they are well within their rights to do so.
"City Lofts is just one of Sheffield's major developments, our regeneration continues and we are open to talk and work up solutions with developers."
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