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Sheffield City Plan consultation


duckweed

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There has been some concern about exactly where heritage fits in with the consultation on the Sheffield Plan. It is restricted in what it asking for and that is because the council knows that what the government is interested in is economic results and more housing so its trying to fit in with that. I suggest you make reference to specific areas of Challenge and Opportunity in the Citywide Options for Growth in Consultation Questions 2a and b and 3a and b. 
 
In 2.2 Stimulating Economic Growth and Job Creation: there is much talk about the Advanced Manufacturing Park, but heritage buildings including old industrial one provide better economic value for money. The Heritage Lottery Fund report New Ideas Need Old Buildings from 2013 http://www.hlf.org.uk/new-ideas-need-old-buildings shows that commercial businesses based in the historic buildings of our major cities are more productive and create more wealth than is the average for all commercial business across the whole economy. See the stats on page 33. In other words economic growth flourishes best in cities possessing a good stock of historic, distinctive buildings. In responding to the consultation we ought to mention the characterful nature of our historic sites as a major plus for business start-ups and for creating ‘distinctive leisure quarters of a city and an atmosphere that fosters creativity.’ There are plenty of examples and stats in here that we could use and Abbeydale Road, Crookes, Portland Works, Devonshire Green etc from inside the city.  
 
On 2.4 its a fact that the greenest building is the one already built. See Timewalk project blogs https://sheffieldtimewalk.wordpress.com/2015/08/12/the-economics-of-reuse-vs-demolition-and-rebuild/  and Youtube  https://youtu.be/F-1pnF5kUQo 
 
On 2.5 Promoting Health and Wellbeing - getting involved with heritage projects is known to be a MASSIVE boost to mental, physical and emotional health and wellbeing. Plus our surroundings are improved and that makes living in a city better for all. 
 
On 2.6 digital start-ups love old buildings as they are generally cheaper and full of character - witness the £3.5 investment in the B&C Co-op as a digital hub. Lots more examples in http://www.hlf.org.uk/new-ideas-need-old-buildings
 
On 2.7 Retail Patterns there are lots of examples in  http://www.hlf.org.uk/new-ideas-need-old-buildings
 
On 2.8 Making Sheffield a Fairer Place its obvious that a number of places in the city would be improved through heritage-led regeneration. I can think of the excellent housing stock slowly deteriorating in Darnall and Firth Park and the old industrial quarters such as round John Street and Neepsend that investment in would boost the area no end, plus the great work at Wincobank Flower estate and at Manor Lodge/green estate. 
 
Its not all about growth either. Its about lifestyle and the quality of our living and working environment, the streetscape, buildings and landscape around us. That type of qualitative data is not specifically in there but could be part of the Consultation Questions 2b and 3b.
 
Note that you can fill it in as a business with heritage interests, as a heritage organisation or someone with an interest in the sector, or all three if you are all three.
 
Note also that there will be A City Policies and Sites Consultation July to September 2016.
 
My thanks to Brian Holmshaw for helping compile this guide.  
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