Initial plans for a new urban district in Sheffield’s Neepsend have been submitted by social impact developers Capital&Centric.
Outline plans have been lodged with Sheffield City Council to overhaul the derelict industrial Cannon Brewery site. The blueprint is being developed in stages, with the aim to deliver a bold vision for a city centre district that stitches itself into the character of the surrounding area.
It details the plans for over 500 1, 2 and 3-bed apartments, planned to be delivered through a mix of contemporary new builds and retention of some of the existing buildings, namely the Water Tower and Brew House.
Nestled alongside the homes will be workplaces and spaces for independent shops, delis and café-bars, creating opportunities for local indie operators and new start-ups. A lush, green urban park will surround the water tower, whilst on Boyland Street a new public square surrounded by cafes and shops will be the perfect space for pop-up events, performers and installations.
The expansive Cannon Brewery site is seen as a massive opportunity to grow Sheffield’s city centre in sustainable way, with high-end architecture sparking the renaissance of the industrial area around Neepsend. It’s a chance to bring more people to the area and deliver new homes without displacing existing businesses.
Richard Spackman, development director at Capital&Centric, said: “We’ve set out to make Cannon Brewery a standout community that draws people to Sheffield – one that respects and reflects back the industrial heritage of Neepsend. It’s a really challenging site to work on, but we’re progressing at pace because we see such pent-up potential.
“Like many communities we’ve done before, we’re proposing a mix of old and new. Our contemporary homes will be real juxtaposition against some of the existing industrial buildings we’re aiming to keep and repurpose.
“We want the end goal to be that Cannon Brewery becomes Sheffield’s best address…a city centre district where people not only want to live, but spend their weekends, hang out with mates or locate their start-up business.”
Once home to Stones Brewery, the site – made up of two triangular plots bordered by Neepsend Lane and Boyland St – was the birthplace of the UK’s best-selling bitter at the time, before the doors closed for good in 1999. The place has been empty ever since and has become a magnet for street artists.
Capital&Centric’s outline application aims to set the initial parameters for the district, including the footprint of the new buildings, buildings to be retained, heights and access points. Whilst previous plans had proposed for all buildings at the site to be demolished, Capital&Centric is aiming to keep those that it’s feasible to retain and repurpose.
The submission follows a packed out consultation event at the neighbouring Heist Brew Co. that kick-started the conversation about Cannon Brewery. The session saw people voice support for transforming the site; as well as calls for use of greenery; a mix of homes; and a focus on securing a mix of independent operators to give the community a distinctly local vibe.
Following this application, it’s intended for detailed designs of the buildings to follow in stages – with style and materials set to take inspiration from the surrounding industrial warehouses and further consultation and discussion with the community.
