Have a say on the future of the Castle Site!

Overview

Castlegate and some areas around it have been in decline for many years, partly due to relocation of large retailers and the poor quality of the local environment. Yet it remains a main gateway into the City Centre, linking most central hotels in Sheffield, Victoria Quays, the Wicker, arts organisations, and other businesses in the Riverside Business District to the rest of the City Centre.

Sheffield City Council secured funding from the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) in October 2021 to transform the Castle Site, which was once home to Sheffield Castle and Castle Market. It is currently boarded up and in a derelict state. The proposed vision and concept design will create a new exciting public space in Castlegate, that focuses on heritage, culture, and sustainability.

With the grant available to SCC, we plan to transform the Castle site with an extension of ‘grey to green’ type planting, footpaths, a community events space, lighting, a de-culverted River Sheaf, and other essential infrastructure needed to unlock the future commercial development of small parts of the site. 

A planning application will be made in early 2023 and the project needs to be completed by spring 2024 (grant requirement).

It is important to highlight that, although the Council has an initial estimate of the cost of the proposed interventions in the ‘Concept Plan’ vision for the site, we will not know if we can afford everything until we procure the works next year. Similarly, regarding the maintenance costs for the new space (which will need to be funded by the Council as they are not included in the LUF grant), this is still to be calculated. We will update the costs as the project progresses and make any changes to achieve a balanced budget.

If you would like to be kept informed of progress on the project, please provide your contact details on the online survey (below)

KEY DATES:

• 7th to 20th November 2022 – public consultation
• December 2022 – report issued on the outcome of the consultation
• January 2023 – submission of planning application
• Summer 2023 – start on site
• Spring 2024 – planned project completion

Why your views matter

We welcome your views on the ‘Concept Plan’ for the new public space to inform the on-going design process.

To help you contribute to the process, we have included as attachments below the proposed concept plan as well as a presentation on the full proposals for the Castle Site with the Levelling up grant the Council has secured.

We have also provided you with a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ list to help answer any questions you may have.

Finally, you can let us have your views and comments as well as your contact details (if you would like to be kept informed of progress) on the attached survey.

CONSULTATION ARRANGEMENTS

You can give us feedback on the Concept Plan for the new public space, either online (here) or in person as indicated below:

• visit the exhibition stand at the Moor Market, 8^th to 11th November (daily, 9am to 5 pm)

• Attend one session about the proposed Concept Plan. It will be held at 18 Exchange St (Sheffield, S2 5TS). There are limited spaces so those wishing to attend must sign up to the event on Eventbrite:

• Saturday 12th November 1-3pm lunchtime presentation

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/458336515857

or alternatively

• Friday 18^th November 1-3pm lunchtime presentation

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/458342072477

• Attend an online Zoom session explaining the Concept Plan which will take place on Thursday 17th November 6-8pm. Register in advance for this meeting: Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIlduChrDkjE9DCMp_c1niZS6bd3zucwM8R

• Visit the ‘Castlegate Futures: Urban Room’ at 18 Exchange Street (Sheffield S2 5TS) on 12^th & 13^th November and 17^th until 20^th November for a programme of events, exhibitions and activities (check online for opening times and booking details):          https://liveworks.ssoa.info/castlegate-futures-urban-room/