New plans unveiled to redevelop former Coroners’ Court building
A pre-application enquiry has been submitted for the redevelopment of Sheffield’s former Coroners’ Court building.
Firestone Developments had applied to Sheffield Council for permission to demolish the Nursery Street building and redevelop the land in the Wicker Island area but withdrew its plans following a number of objections from groups and organisations keen to preserve Sheffield’s heritage.
These new proposals, submitted multidisciplinary practice CODA Studios, will retain the whole of the original building for development as apartments but will also feature a pencil tower rising from a courtyard to the rear of the premises.
Matt Bowker, CODA managing director, said: “This is not just a plan that will retain the street facing facade.
“As major supporters of Sheffield’s great industrial and social heritage we take great pleasure in retaining as much of the past as possible and we believe that our new proposals will meet all the needs of historical preservation while linking the site to an exciting and iconic new structure that is sympathetic to its surroundings.
“The previous approval to redevelop the site only retained the existing façade- these proposals aim to retain the whole building”
The building on Nursery Street was built in 1913 by Sheffield architect FEP Edwards.
The building featured a coroner’s court, mortuary, post-mortem rooms, viewing chapel, witnesses’ waiting rooms and police accommodation along with a yard and stabling.
The site was damaged by Nazi bombers in World War Two, which led to renovations, including youth court facilities and substantial changes to the interiors.
Bowker said: “We have worked hard with the planners and city councillors and listened to both them and the local community as we take this scheme forward. A development of this high standard, retaining the old while at the same time embracing the new, is exactly what the Wicker Island area needs as it continues to develop.
“Our award winning projects throughout the neighbouring Kelham Island and Shalesmoor areas have demonstrated clearly our approach and our dedication to creating the Sheffield of the future.
“We are confident that we will receive a positive response at this early stage and that we will be able to take our talks with Sheffield Council on behalf of Firestone Developments through to a positive conclusion.”
