Major developments for Castlegate on the doorstep of Sheffield Metropolitan Hotel

Major developments for Castlegate on the doorstep of Sheffield Metropolitan Hotel

The award-winning Grey To Green scheme looks set to cultivate new followers – with plans to extend the scheme into neighbouring parts of the city including Castlegate.

Castlegate is the oldest part of Sheffield and has been inhabited since at least the 11th Century. Sheffield Castle was destroyed in 1648 and Castle Market covered its remains in the 1960s, with the only visible parts locked in basements. The indoor market was demolished in 2015, with the cleared space now allowing wider excavation work to take place.

Sheffield City Council has launched a consultation into the second phase of the scheme, which has seen the city’s former inner ring road transformed into a green corridor that is also home to the country’s largest sustainable urban drainage system.

Phase One was designed by a team of Council designers, supported by Professor Nigel Dunnett from the University of Sheffield’s Landscape Department.

This work could now be extended beyond West Bar towards Castlegate, Lady’s Bridge, the River Don and Kelham, has already scooped a wheelbarrow of awards, such as the National Green Champion at the International Green Apple Awards and the Eric Hughes Award for Outstanding Contribution to Improving Sustainability.

Grey to Green Two proposes to make Castlegate and Exchange Street a location for new investment and a home for cutting-edge businesses as well as encouraging additional city centre living.

With funding from Sheffield City Region and Sheffield City Council, the project will incorporate colourful meadows, trees and a sustainable drainage system, which reduces flooding risk.

It will also improve and link up walking and cycling routes which should enhance the experience of visiting, living and working in the area as well as providing a setting for new development opportunities in the area and supporting existing businesses and civic buildings as part of the project.

“Now the skills of the University of Sheffield and 2012 London Olympics designer Professor Nigel Dunnett will be brought back to breathe new life into Castlegate and the surrounding area.”

Grey to Green Phase 1 between West Bar Green and Lady’s Bridge was completed in 2016 and has been successful in attracting new investment to the area. Phase two will start in early 2019 with completion expected by the end of the year.

Among plans for the consultation are the closure of Castlegate to vehicles, except for loading, a proposed bus gate on Blonk Street, an environmental weight restriction on Exchange Place between Furnival Road and Blonk Street and revised access arrangements on Castle Street  and Waingate.