40-storey tower recommended for approval

A proposed 40-storey tower in Sheffield that could become one of the tallest buildings in the region looks set to get the go-ahead next week (9 January 2023).CJS7 Ltd (trading as Oppidan Life) and SFGE Properties Ltd submitted an application to Sheffield City Council in July 2022 for development on a site at the junction of High Street, Angel Street, and Arundel Gate, previously occupied by part of the city’s Primark store.Planning permission was granted in December 2020 for a 39-storey development featuring 206 apartments.The new plans seek full planning permission for the demolition of the existing building and construction of a 40-storey tower.The King’s Tower development would comprise 428 co-living units and 33 studio apartments.The co-living units would include a kitchen, bathroom, storage and workspace. Each floor would have a large family room including a kitchen and dining area, TV/gaming room, work and study room, guest W/Cs, storage and a unit for overnight guests.Shared facilities would also include work spaces, cycle store, private meeting and dining rooms, cinema/presentation rooms, gym, bar and lounges. Roof terraces and balconies would be provided where possible.The application will be considered by the council’s planning and highways committee on 9 January and is recommended for approval, subject to conditions and the signing of a legal agreement, in an officer’s report prepared for the meeting.The report said: “The proposal accords with the aims of the City Centre Strategic Vision, which demonstrates that a high density, residential-led, mixed use development is appropriate and the area is ideally situated for a major landmark proposal to act as a catalyst to regeneration, especially given its public transport links and gateway location.”The site occupies a prominent corner plot at a major city centre node and is an appropriate location for a tall building. The proposed 40-storey contemporary tower is of high architectural design quality. The massing would be broken up into appropriate components, which add interest, ground the development and creating an elegant structure in the skyline.”Yorkshire’s tallest building is currently the 114-metre, 38-storey Altus House in Leeds’ Arena Quarter, which recently surpassed the 112-metre Bridgewater Place.Last year, Olympian Homes secured funding to bring forward the 45-storey Cirrus Point building on Merrion Way, which is set to become the region’s tallest building. Plans have also been lodged for a 46-storey residential tower on land at Cartwright House in Holbeck and the 45-storey Wellington Square development.Sheffield’s current tallest building is St Paul’s Tower, which measures 32 storeys and 101 metres (331 feet).