Application lodged to turn vacant plot into inviting public space
A planning application has been submitted by Sheffield City Council to transform the Castle site public space, including proposals for an events area, new public art and opening up the River Sheaf.
The application focuses on the public space element of the site, turning the current empty plot into an inviting area in the city centre for residents and visitors.
The site is where Sheffield began. It is where the original castle stood in 1184 and where the River Don and River Sheaf meet.
As part of the plans, the council hopes to celebrate the heritage of the area by exposing some of the remains of the castle, including the former gatehouse. Other castle remnants will remain in an underground chamber.
Another throwback to the history of the site will be the creation of the events space, which is reminiscent of the ‘bowling green’ on this land in the 1600s. The events square will be able to host up to 500 people.
Council plans will also bring out into the open a large section of the River Sheaf. The Sheaf runs underground and was covered over in the early 20th century.
Councillor Mazher Iqbal, co-chair of the council’s Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said: “In November we asked the people of Sheffield what they thought of our plans for Castlegate and took on board that feedback to draw up our final proposal.
“After a fantastic response from public, we’re thrilled to have made progress with the Castle site and now submitted the transformational plans for the public space.
“Our teams have worked incredibly hard to develop a plan which brings together the history of the space and offers an inviting space for Sheffielders to visit and enjoy within the city centre.”
Martin Gorman, chair of the Friends of Sheffield Castle, said: “We are happy to have been involved in the proposals for the castle site and overall are supportive of the plans, in particular, the proposed excavation and interpretation of the castle gatehouse and other remains.
“These plans are just the start of what we hope will become a welcoming and re-activated site to celebrate the heritage of our city.”
