Mixed-use development plans for dormant site

A planning application has been submitted to build a mixed-use development on a 2.25-acre site which was formerly a 30,000 sq ft car showroom.

The site, which sits at the junction of Ecclesall Road, Ecclesall Road South and Psalter Lane, Banner Cross, in Sheffield, was well-known as a car showroom but has been dormant since Gilders relocated to Meadowhead in Sheffield.

The building currently provides a car showroom with workshops and offices to the rear totalling over 30,000 sq ft on a total site of around 2¼ acres.

A planning application by Sheffield-based Primesite UK details plans to covert the the showroom into four retail/leisure units, the workshop/stores into office accommodation for accountancy firm Brown McLeod and eight luxury townhouses to be built to the rear of the site.

Scott Hinchliffe, director of Primesite UK, said: “This will be a high-quality mixed-use development in a highly sought after and sustainable location, providing much needed housing and office space, as well as retail/leisure units which will increase the viability and vitality of Banner Cross District Shopping Centre and create a number of jobs.

“The site has laid empty for far too long, it is time that it was brought back into use – the proposal provides a perfect mix of acceptable uses.

“We’re delighted to have attracted an anchor tenant in Brown McLeod, who will have their new base in the 9,000 square feet of office space which is being created.  The retail space we will create is already attracting interest from leading national occupiers.”

John Roddison from Brown McLeod said: “Brown McLeod is delighted to have signed a lease to occupy the first-floor office space on the site. We will be combining our three Sheffield offices into one single open plan floor which will allow us to grow our business from 60 to 100 employees.

“We are heavily focused on music, film and the arts both locally and internationally, so the interior design of the building will reflect our passion for the entertainment industry.

“And we look forward to welcoming clients and professional connections to our new office and to adding value to the local shops, restaurants, cafes and bars in the Banner Cross community.”

Primesite UK is working closely with architects Cartwright Pickard and CODA Planning as well as property agents colloco and Crosthwaite Commercial. If planning is approved the site is expected to be operational for the commercial units in Spring 2019.

Benjamin Dakin from CODA Planning said: “Significant thought has gone into the design of the proposals to ensure that it not only respects the character of the area, but also enhances it.

“We are very happy to be working alongside Cartwright Pickard and on behalf of Primesite UK Ltd. We look forward to submitting the application and ultimately gaining consent for this fantastic scheme.

“The scheme will have substantial benefits to both the site itself and the surrounding area.”