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Let’s work together to get historic heritage buildings off our list

“Let’s work together to get these listed buildings off our buildings at risk list.”

That’s the message from Sheffield City Council which has launched its Heritage 20 by 20 campaign with the support of the Sheffield Star.

The council has drawn up a list of 20 privately-owned listed buildings which it hopes to get off the list by next year and back into use, either as housing or in alternative uses.

An abandoned church that served the former Wadsley Asylum and a pub that was built in the 1750s and survived two Sheffield floods are both on the list.

Although some buildings on the list, such as the Farfield Inn on Neepsend, have been sold, planners are still waiting for building to start to get them off the list.

Others, such as Middlewood Church in Wadsley or the former Loxley Chapel on Loxley Road, have been abandoned for years – suffering fires and other damage.

Planners at Sheffield City Council say they hope that releasing the list will spark new interest in the buildings. Successful conversions could create up to 300 homes across the city, although other uses will always be considered too.
Councillor Jack Scott, cabinet member for development at Sheffield City Council, said: "We don’t want to name and shame owners – but we want 2019 to be the year when we ask that they work with us to get these buildings back into use.

“If done correctly, these buildings could provide more than 300 new homes across the city. In some cases, we understand that plans are forthcoming – but we need to hear from developers to get them off the list.

“We are no different from other major cities in having a number of buildings at risk but our register has gone down from around 60 three years ago to around 30 now – and we’ve identified 20 that we want to get off the list and back into use. 

"I am determined that we we'll do everything possible to protect our city's special and unique heritage and taking action on these buildings is a really important start."

Zoe Mair, conservation officer at Sheffield City Council, added: “Many of these buildings have a rich place in Sheffield history  with links to industry, the former church for Wadsley Asylum and the final resting place for Sheffield flood victims.

“We have a proven record of success in restoring derelict buildings as a glance at our list of a few years ago would demonstrate.

“In the last few years we have helped to develop the former post office headquarters as Sheffield Institute of Arts, Ebenezer Chapel as private houses and Jaywing as a private business.

“We also know that there are other buildings which require heavy investment and support to get them back into use.

“We hope that we can work together with the Star to shine a light on these historical gems and make them into the buildings they once were again.”