Mixed-use shipping container development proposed for Sheffield site

A mixed-use development comprising a series of shipping containers to provide food and drink units and a stage for live music and events has been proposed for a site in Sheffield city centre.Pond Gate Estate 1 Ltd and Pond Gate Estate 2 Ltd have submitted an application to Sheffield City Council for development on land off Arundel Gate, between the O2 Academy and Odeon Sheffield.Planning permission is sought for the installation of a series of shipping containers arranged over two floors around a large open air central ‘plaza’ seating area. These would be occupied by bar and street food vendors.The plans also include the construction of a concrete podium deck as a stage for live music and entertainment.A screen would be suspended to the rear of the stage, with other screens located around the site and at upper levels.The development would have a total area of about 26,350 sq ft.The proposed opening hours are 7am to 1am Monday to Sunday, a maximum occupancy of 1,600 people at any one time. Annual footfall of about one million is expected.The development is expected to support 54 full-time and 86 part-time jobs.STACK, which is behind similar developments in the North East, is set to operate the scheme, with the plans developed as a co-ordinated joint application.A design and access statement submitted as part of the application said: “The proposals will breathe new life into an area of the city centre that currently fails to contribute positively to the local economy or street scene.”The proposal creates an opportunity enhance the public realm locally, tie into wider proposals on Arundel Gate and to extend the cultural and leisure hub around the Crucible and Lyceum theatres to further enhance the vibrancy of that area of the city and will have a positive social and economic impact on the city.”