Urban Splash secures revised agreement for Park Hill

Simon Gawthorpe, MD Urban Splash: “This is great news for us and for Sheffield – it means we can complete the project we started in 2007. We can now, alongside development partners Places for People and Great Places fulfill our ambitions for the project.

“Phase 1 is complete with 260 homes and 10 contemporary workspaces that are occupied with creative and digital businesses. There are currently 600 people living and working at Park Hill reflecting a mixed community that includes affordable housing, rented, owner occupiers - from young professionals to downsizers, as well as the businesses, Grace Owen Nursery and of course S1 Artspace that have provided a rolling arts programme. The public realm has been improved with landscaping and seating areas that has been enjoyed by all this summer.

“Our aim is to create a new quarter for the city of Sheffield where people want to live, work, play and visit. We are proud to have realised some of that potential with the completion of the first phase, and it’s great to see a new mixed multi-generational community putting down roots there again. It is also good to see how well the new residents and workers are enjoying being part of a wider community group, alongside those who have lived in the area for years.
“We always intended to provide mixed tenure and, as well as private sale, we have been able to provide 96 affordable housing apartments and 28 Help to Buy in Phase 1 significantly more than the 68 originally agreed. We plan to provide the ranges of affordable housing options beyond Phase 2.
“The current plans provide a sustainable future for Park Hill adding students and arts and culture to the community to create a place of national significance for the city.”

The revised development agreement will be split into four phases – Phases 2 to 5. Phase 2 will see Urban Splash create 210 residential properties and Phase 3, following on with the development of 330 student housing units working with an external partner. The whole scheme will deliver a total of 130,000 square foot of commercial space. Phase 4 and 5 includes provision for the S1 Artspace Project, as well as open market and affordable housing.

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, said: “These plans provide the momentum to move forward with the scheme, securing the completion of the Park Hill development. It is great news for the city that its ongoing regeneration will include such a significant development, and Urban Splash have brought forward a viable and workable plan to complete the final phases.”

Matthew Harrison, Great Places Housing Group Chief Executive Officer said: “Great Places has been involved with the regeneration project since the beginning so it’s great to know that agreement is now in place to secure the future of the remaining blocks. Park Hill offers something truly unique to all its residents and we look forward to being part of its success for many years to come.”