British Land wins Next development appeal

BRITISH Land is celebrating after winning the right to develop a new Next store in Sheffield.

Next won its appeal against Sheffield City Council’s planners, who refused its proposed £10m Next Home store at Meadowhall on the basis that the 61,000 sq ft store on the British Land-owned site development would be harmful to investor confidence in the city centre’s retail sector.

Richard Wright, executive director of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, said: “We welcome the news. We believe it is a sensible decision and very much in line with the retail forum strategy for the city region.

“As a Chamber we are still very committed to helping develop a distinctive city centre offer and we do not believe this decision in any way compromises that. Our feedback on the City Centre Master plan is very consistent with this message.

“A massive test of Sheffield’s ambition is about how we proceed with the new city centre retail development, which must offer something bespoke, represent quality and provide a special environment for people to visit.

“We must get on with these plans now. However, the development has to be one which reflects the future world of retailing and puts us ahead of the opposition.”