Thumbs up for 784-bed flat complex in Sheffield

Councillors have given the green light to a third proposal to redevelop industrial land that has lain empty for years.Abode Hallam Limited was granted permission to build a 784-bed complex of student and private flats on the former Gordon Lamb car dealership site in Summerfield Street, near Ecclesall Road.The development will be split into four blocks, and will also include shops, cafes and restaurants. Part of Porter Brook will be uncovered and a river walkway and cycle route will be created alongside. According to Abode Hallam, the scheme represents ‘significant investment’ in Sheffield and will address a shortfall in housing. Developers have put forward two other projects for the site since the car dealership closed.Councillors approved plans for 205 apartments and a restaurant in December 2005, while in 2012 permission was granted for the £52 million Manor Mill student village, which was to house 900 students.The latest development will include buildings up to 10 storeys high. A report to the planning committee said the plans were of a similar scale to the Manor Mill project.