Go-ahead for conversion of landmark Sheffield building

Plans to convert a landmark Sheffield building to create new apartments have been given the green light.Broomgrove Properties, supported by Axis Architecture, submitted planning and listed building applications to Sheffield City Council last year for The Mount in the Broomhill area of the city.The grade II*-listed building dates back to the 1830s and was designed by architect William Flockton.It was awarded listed status in 1973 due to its architectural quality and its role as an important landmark in the Broomhill Conservation Area.The property was originally built as housing and subsequently owned by department store business John Walsh Ltd, United Steel Companies and Norwich Union. It was most recently in use as a language school.The plans cover the conversion of the Mount to create 55 apartments, with a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units.Work to the building would also include single-storey infill extensions at ground floor level, provision of new entrance, single-storey rooftop extension to existing annex, and residents parking area. The through vehicular route from Newbould Lane would be removed.The council has now granted planning permission for the development, subject to conditions, under delegated powers.An officer’s report accompanying the decision said: “It is considered that the identified impacts on the heritage assets of the grade II*-listed building and the Broomhill Conservation Area amount to less than substantial harm.”The public benefits arising from the development include the occupation and appropriate re-use of a vacant building of significant townscape merit, the preservation of the character of the Listed Building and the Broomhill Conservation Area, and the contribution of a good number of high-quality apartments of an acceptable density in a very sustainable location.”