Sheffield City Region developments aim to build on heritage

A series of developments are in progress across the Sheffield City Region with the aim of building on its heritage of innovation-led manufacturing and engineering.There are plans to transform areas with commercial, residential and leisure opportunities, as well as creation of an internationally recognised innovation district for wellbeing research and learning.Among the projects ongoing in the city region is the Heart of the City II scheme, a new mixed-use district in the city centre featuring retail, offices, restaurants and bars, entertainment venues, urban living, boutique hotels and attractive public spaces.In December, international law firm CMS was confirmed as an anchor tenant, joining HSBC in a newly-built landmark building. Proposals for Block H have been unveiled, including a new ‘cultural heart’ and extensive office space.A series of developments at the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park are set to provide a £60m boost to the Attercliffe area of the city.A number of buildings have been developed at the Olympic Legacy Park in the last few years, including the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre. Work began in December on an improved Community Stadium for use by Sheffield Eagles Rugby League Club and Sheffield United Women Football Club.Development is also ongoing at Aero Centre Yorkshire, a 1,600-acre property and logistics development site at Doncaster Sheffield Airport owned by Peel Group. Work on two new speculative units began at the end of 2019.A business case was submitted earlier this year for a new national and regional rail connection to the airport, which could potentially support the creation of 33,000 jobs.The Sheffield City Region has also developed a Locate in SCR web tool, which aims to make it easier for prospective investors to identify, evaluate and choose different locations in region.Scarborough International Properties, the developer behind Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, has also reiterated its commitment to investing in projects across the city.The company, with its development partner Singapore-listed Metro Holdings, is aiming to start construction in the summer of the fourth and final building at the Sheffield Digital Campus, called Vidrio. The existing buildings – Electric Works, Ventana House and Acero – provide more than 180,000 sq ft of office accommodation.It is also preparing to submit submit plans for a mixed-use project at Chaucer Yard, fronting John Street and Countess Road.