Work to begin on reviving derelict brewery site

A vision to turn Sheffield’s former Cannon Brewery site, in Neepsend, into a new neighbourhood for the city has moved a step forward.

Developer Capital&Centric confirmed it has completed the purchase of the site, paving the way for a new chapter after more than a quarter of a century of dereliction. Initial remediation and site investigations will begin on site this spring.

With an outline planning application submitted, work has also started on a detailed designs for the district – set to feature over 500 rental homes, new workplaces and spaces for independent shops, delis and café-bars.

Capital&Centric is working with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and Sheffield City Council to make the blueprint a reality.

It follows the combined authority awarding a £11.67m grant to kick-start Cannon Brewery, with further Homes England funding also confirmed for other development sites in Neepsend.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “Cannon Brewery, which takes its design cues from Neepsend’s historic identity, is an exciting opportunity to bring an under-developed brownfield site back to life.

“Through collaboration with Capital&Centric, we want to ensure the plans being developed set a new high bar for regeneration across South Yorkshire.

“The ambition is not just for more and better homes, but for the whole development to attract investment, create spaces for new businesses to establish and further cement our well-deserved reputation as being a brilliant place to live.

“And I’m pleased to say we’re actively looking at other places across South Yorkshire where we can unlock more opportunities.”

“The plan is to retain some of the most interesting buildings from the former brewery, with a lush, urban park surrounding the existing water tower, as well as a new public square surrounded by shops and cafes, with spaces for pop-up events.”

Councillor Tom Hunt, leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “The transformation of the former Cannon Brewery site is yet another exciting new development for Sheffield.

“We are working hard with our partners to drive up housebuilding and regenerate parts of our city.

“The combination of new homes, new workplaces, retail and leisure will help to turn Neepsend into a thriving new neighbourhood.”

Richard Spackman, development director at Capital&Centric, added: “Cannon Brewery has stacks of potential and, by collaborating with the council and combined authority, we’re unlocking regeneration at a massive scale but in a considered way.

“There’s a real buzz about the future of Neepsend as the city’s next growth district, but everyone wants to see the neighbourhood designed in a way that Sheffield can be proud of.

“Sheffield is having a real moment and is successfully attracting more start-ups, investment and people that want to live here.

“We committed to securing about £200m of investment into regeneration sites in the city a few years ago and we’re making good on that vision, with a brownfield-first approach to growing the city and a pipeline of projects in the works.

“With the Cannon Brewery site now fully acquired, we’ll be getting going with surveys and investigations that will underpin the detailed plans we aim to submit to Sheffield City Council later this year.”