Redesigns revealed for £1.9bn Smithfield scheme

Developers of the £1.9bn Smithfield scheme have altered designs in order to address objections from Historic England and to conform to pending changes to fire safety legislation.

Amended plans by Lendlease propose key changes following the submission of the planning application in December 2022.

The Markets were previously located above the buried historic Moat and Manor House site. To respond to Historic England’s objection to the planning application, the Markets have been moved north to avoid buried archaeology and split into two buildings – The Indoor Market consisting of Fish and Meat, Dining Hall, restaurant and event spaces and the Open and Rag Market.

Instead, Festival Square, which has now been renamed ‘Manor Square’ will be “designed to avoid disturbance of buried archaeology” and located on the Moat and Manor House site to “celebrate the importance of the site as the Birthplace of the City”. Manor Square will host events and festivals for 6,500 to 7,000 people.

New workspace

All residential buildings have been re-designed to include an additional staircase that is accessible to all residents in line with the pending changes to fire safety legislation.

Following the relocation of the public square, a redesign has occurred for the building that provides workspace. The height of the building has increased by one storey which increases the total office space within the building as well as the addition of a Manor Square-facing terrace.

Culture and music facilities will be located within one building at the corner of Manor Square, with leisure facilities set to be split into two new builds to the adjacent corner.

Around 860 construction jobs are expected to be created per year during the demolition and construction stage, which is anticipated to take place over 11 years.

Up to 1,736 jobs across the proposed commercial floorspace will be created once the development is complete.