Sheffield plan for Yorkshire's tallest building scaled down

Developers have scaled back plans to build Yorkshire's tallest building in Sheffield due to rising costs.

Fresh plans for the block at the junctions of Wellington Street, Rockingham Street and Trafalgar Street reduce it from 38 storeys to 26.

It would no longer be taller than Altus House in Leeds, which is the current tallest building at 374ft (114m).

Developers planning the block of 963 apartments said rising construction costs led to the scheme being revised.

Code Living, a student accommodation specialist, along with agents Staniforth Architects, are behind the proposal.

The flats would be aimed at young people and students.

The building would also include a cinema and gym.

In a planning statement the developers said: "Viability issues associated with the site and rising construction and material costs have generated the requirement to revise and adapt the approved scheme."

Reducing the height of the building would generate "suitable cost savings that allow the scheme to be viable overall".

The developers also argue that the project is "not sufficiently viable" to meet affordable housing contributions.

No date has been set for council planners to consider the application.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Staniforth Architects said the site lends itself to creating "an urban marker in the cityscape".

"This needs to be done carefully in a way that complements the topography and skyline, working with the rise and fall of the cityscape."

The plans include 913 studio apartments, of which 29 would be accessible, 15 two-bed flats and 35 six-bed flats.

In addition to the gym and cinema there would also be dance studios, cafes, study areas and cycle storage.

High-speed internet would be provided along with 24-hour security and the ground floor would also include retail spaces.

The applicants said the development is expected to create 15 full-time jobs and 20 part-time jobs.

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