Revised plans for former department store lodged – Insider Media

Revised plans have been lodged for the partial redevelopment of a former Sheffield department store following the refusal of an application last year.Leaworks East Ltd, supported by DnA Group, has submitted a full planning application to Sheffield City Council for Castlegate House on Haymarket, a former BHS department store.The building, which dates back to the 1960s, is currently occupied by a B&M store on the ground and a Snooker Hall on the first floor. The upper floors have been vacant since the departure of BHS.Planning permission is sought for the change the second and third floors to provide 60 HMO-style bedsits. Each room would have its own kitchenette, bathroom, seating area and sleeping area.The plans also include the partial demolition of the central area of the building to create a new glazed atrium.A large communal area would be created in the glazed atrium and a communal kitchen and dining area would be provided on each floor.Plans for the change of use of the second and third floors of the building to create 67 student bedrooms were refused last year (February 2023), with the decision upheld following an appeal.The new scheme has been designed to address issues raised by officer’s including concerns over living conditions.A planning statement submitted as part of the new application said: “This scheme is similar to many others that have passed planning around the country. It is using an existing disused building, which is likely to remain empty due to the lack of interest in upper floors of city centre commercial, except for the conversion to residential.”The planning inspector concluded that a residential scheme in this location would be acceptable.”There is a real need for this type of rooms in Sheffield. The applicant would be putting millions of pounds into this site, developing the property, upgrading the whole of Dixon Street, bringing the upper walkway back into public use and generally starting the regeneration of the Haymarket area.”