300-bed built-to-rent scheme moves forward

A proposed build-to-rent (BTR) development of more than 300 flats in Sheffield city centre has moved forward with the submission of a planning application for the scheme.DLP Planning, on behalf of Platform_, has submitted a full planning application to Sheffield City Council for a development on land between Sylvester Street and the Porter Brook.The development would feature three blocks measuring between five and 14 storeys. These would together provide a total of 335 residential apartments for the BTR market, with a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units.Communal facilities including a gym, common room, cinema room, dining facilities, amenity space, roof garden and bike maintenance store area would also be provided.Co-working amenity space and flexible-use commercial space will be provided on the ground floor of two of the blocks. A formal riverside walkway would be created alongside the Porter Brook.A planning statement submitted as part of the application said: “The proposed development takes the opportunity to put forward a new BtR model in order to deliver high quality, mixed use development within the site.”The proposals will make a significant contribution to both the housing requirement figures, as well as generating significant economic growth. The scheme will therefore make a tangible contribution to the ongoing regeneration of the Cultural Industries Quarter (CIQ) quarter.”Platform_ initially set out proposals for a BTR development, its first new-build project, in May 2017 following its acquisition of the site.The land previously featured a mix of industrial buildings. It was cleared after planning permission was granted for an earlier mixed-use scheme in 2007 but has remained undeveloped since then.It is bounded to west by Decathlon sports store and sits adjacent to the grade II-listed Sylvester Works and workshop, and City Walk residential development. Directly to the east is a series of derelict mill buildings making up the Bernard Works site, which are currently subject to a number of planning applications.Platform_ has been supported in its application by TateHindle, Arup, Ares Landscape Architects, Gardiner & Theobald and CGMS.