Sheffield’s ‘tallest building in Yorkshire’ dream ruined by viability and cost of living

It means Code Living’s co-living tower block will no longer become the tallest building in Yorkshire due to viability issues relating to the site and rising construction and material costs, leaving long-time rivals Leeds to keep the claim.

The approved skyscraper was due to be 38 storeys high, reaching 383 ft. This would have been taller than Sheffield’s current highest building, St Paul’s City Lofts Tower at 331 ft, and taller than Altus House in Leeds which stands at 374 ft.

New plans propose a 26 storey building on the same spot at the junctions of Wellington Street, Rockingham Street and Trafalgar Street.

If approved by Sheffield Council, this updated development will have 963 apartments comprising 913 studios of which 29 would be accessible, 15 two-bed flats and 35 six-bed flats.

Code Living said the new housing mix was a “slight improvement” on the previous plan.

There would also be a gym, cinema rooms, dance studios, cafes, study areas, cycle storage, common rooms, prayer rooms, high speed internet, courtyard garden, 24 hour security, games rooms and ground floor retail.

The applicant said the development was expected to create 15 full-time jobs and 20 part-time jobs.

Staniforth Architects, agents for the project, said the location lends itself to creating an “urban marker” that could be a navigational tool helping to locate various points around the city.

Local reaction

Some commented on the news via social media and the council’s planning portal.

Facebook user Nicholas Jackson commented: “It’s a shame it won’t be Yorkshire’s tallest building but it’s still a great addition to the skyline, anybody who says otherwise hasn’t got a clue what they are talking about.”

However, not all agreed. A resident who lives on Cat Lane, Gleadless Valley, said they believed the rooms would be too “pokey” with limited value for long-term residents.

They added: “The previous application sold the building as a landmark as it would be the tallest building in Sheffield and Yorkshire. Now the building has lost 12 stories it has limited value to the city skyline. The exterior is also bland and generic. There is no local influence in the design such as Sheffield industry or greenery of the outdoor city.”

They, and others, were also unhappy about yet more student accommodation in the city centre.

Council officers recently stated there was already an excess of student homes in Sheffield and other types of housing would be a better use of land.

A Carfield Avenue, Meersbrook, resident said: “A plot of this size comprising of mostly studios for student accommodation on this scale is silly. We are already way over outstripping demand versus supply in the city for student accommodation.

“The fact the council continue approving studio flats further perpetrates the idea that young people deservedly should slum it in a tiny living space due to being out priced out of the housing market.”

To read the plans in full or comment, visit: https://planningapps.sheffield.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=RLI277NYFZQ00