It seems that the council are wanting to revamp much of the city centre - with the recent release of the proposed plans for St Paul's Place and Millennium Square as part of the Heart of the City project (http://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/i_love_sy/redevelopment/index.shtml).

Now, it looks like they're planning to revamp Sheaf Square, and the railway station too:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/sense_of_place/sheaf_square/gallery.shtml

What do you guys think of the new plans?

Interesting coincidence Hodge! Today I sent a 2nd email to the people at Sheffield1 asking for an interview. There site will probably contain further information in relation to those two stories you posted - http://www.sheffield1.com

I hope they reply to my request, instead of doing the normal government trick of only being interested in our views when they want to hear them (I'm thinking of that tent they once had at the top of Fargate). In theory they should be open to residents feedback at any time - sure :roll:

I'd certainly be interested in reading that interview if it happens Geoff - good luck to you mate.

I think the plans are interesting - at least something is being done to revamp the city centre. However, I also think that Sheffield residents should get a say (highly unlikely!) in the development plans - that is, the developers and the council should actually listen to what we say. I've been reading the comments on the BBC site about the plans, and some interesting points have been raised. One that immediately springs to mind, is the proposed steel sculpture in front of the station facade: on the one hand, I find the idea of a sculpture superb, however, if it blocks not only the view of the station facade when leaving the city, but also the newly-developed city centre when arriving, as it is proposed at the moment, I can't really see the advantage, appart from it merely filling a space.

Many people have raised concerns about the parking facilities, and 'drop off' points for cars and taxis, as well as links to bus services etc. for a tuely integrated public transport system.

What they have done so far is great - I have to say, I love the Winter & Peace Gardens and Millennium gallery, and quite often sit in the Winter Gardens having a cup of Fair Trade tea/coffee on a saturday afternoon.

Hopefully, the new development plans will follow suit and not only be attractive to both residents and visitors, but also highly funtional, and an economical boost to the city.

We shall see...

Edit:

It seems that the Roxy/Odeon/NCP comlpex is owned by a development firm, Quintain Estates and Development plc., and it is doubtful that any major development will occur in the near future, despite the council giving them planning permission to do so two years ago, and hassling them ever since.

From their website (http://www.quintain-estates.com):

"Property Type:
Leisure
Tenure:
Freehold
Report Category:
Special Project


A mixed use 10,800 sq m (120,000 sq ft) complex situated in the heart of Sheffield adjacent to the central bus interchange.
The property comprises an Odeon multiplex, a nightclub, a 10 storey car park and several retail units.
The scheme has planning consent for a further 70,000 sq ft of retail (and leisure) accommodation.
A 169 bed hotel scheme is proposed for the upper floors to replace the nightclub and now has consent."

Hodge, people have had a say in the proposals. In terms of the office development by the peace gardens, the general consensus from the public was "You have got to be joking, that thing looks like it was designed by gibbons". The council responded to this and have had the architects re-work their designs. These were due to be published last week I think.

As for the station, if I recall correctly, there have been some changes made there too following public feedback, though I can't remember what exactly.

Originally posted by chill
Hodge, people have had a say in the proposals. In terms of the office development by the peace gardens, the general consensus from the public was "You have got to be joking, that thing looks like it was designed by gibbons". The council responded to this and have had the architects re-work their designs. These were due to be published last week I think.

As for the station, if I recall correctly, there have been some changes made there too following public feedback, though I can't remember what exactly.

Fair dinkum - cheers for that information mate. I've only recently seen the plans, so didn't realise that the public had already had an influential say in the matter.

Originally posted by Hodge

One that immediately springs to mind, is the proposed steel sculpture in front of the station facade: on the one hand, I find the idea of a sculpture superb, however, if it blocks not only the view of the station facade when leaving the city, but also the newly-developed city centre when arriving, as it is proposed at the moment, I can't really see the advantage, appart from it merely filling a space.[/list]

I dont know about other people but I am getting heartily fed up of all the so-called art having to be made from stainless steel. It's about time that we had some forward looking art and architecture - not keep tryingto reflect an industry that was in the past. You dont see cotton and wool bobbins in Leeds and Manchester!!

Originally posted by Tony
I dont know about other people but I am getting heartily fed up of all the so-called art having to be made from stainless steel. It's about time that we had some forward looking art and architecture - not keep tryingto reflect an industry that was in the past. You dont see cotton and wool bobbins in Leeds and Manchester!!

And what exactly is the climbing wall in M'cr's Piccadilly Square meant to represent, artistically?

Station/Sheaf Square plans:
There is currently a display on the train station (platform 1 waiting room) which is also available online on the council's website - www.sheffield.gov.uk

Some elements are allready complete - the new footbridge and tramstop is in service, and the new multi-storey car park is in business, which has replaced the old outdoor pay and display. Also new self service 'Fast-ticket' machines have been installed in the travel centre for those buying by credit card, which also dispenses tickets ordered by phone or internet.

Next stages include extending the station concourse, with new shops and new travel centre and new customer information screens.

Sheaf House will be demolished and replaced with a new commercial building, with a cafe-bar in the ground floor, which will have tables and chairs outside in the new public square. Complementing the public square is changes to the roads outside the station - the roundabout will go, and Sheaf Street will be single carriageway - so it will look smarter and be less daunting for pedestrians crossing from the train station to the bus interchange and city centre.

Cars arriving at the station will no longer access the station via Sheaf Street, they will drive in from Cross Turner Street past the multi storey, where a turning loop will allow cars and taxis to pause to drop passengers off. Cars wanting to park up whilst passengers catch trains will be able to use a short stay facility within the multi storey.

The proposed metal sculpture in the public square seems to have caused a lot of debate. What I would say though is walls work in the peace garden, and remember the pavement on Sheaf Street is a slightly higher level than the square. Not sure about how prone to vandalism and dirt it will be, but I remember reading somewhere that there was some sort of water feature attatched (or did I dream that? :? )

The ammended plans for the building that borders the Peace Gardens is pictured in today's Sheffield Telegraph. Whilst it is an improvement, it is still uninspiring in my opinion.

BTW, the council are seeking views on the future of urban Sheffield, under the auspices of the Urban Design Compendium (http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/planning-and-city-development/urban-design--conservation/urban-design/urban-design-compendium-consultation). Don't let this opportunity pass you by.

Stop moaning about everything that the council are trying to do, I would tell all you complaining, if you are not satisfied, do it yourself and let us see if you can do any better.

Originally posted by halevan
Stop moaning about everything that the council are trying to do, I would tell all you complaining, if you are not satisfied, do it yourself and let us see if you can do any better.

Except we're not paying ourselves ridiculously high salaries to do the job. I remember a post of yours complaining about a shop assistant not doing their job well - if you weren't happy with the service why not become a shop assistant yourself and see if you can do any better! Indeed, the shop assistant is being paid to serve you and as such should do so properly. The council are also paid to run our city, and should also do so properly. That'll be the day.....

Well said sir.

Originally posted by t020
Except we're not paying ourselves ridiculously high salaries to do the job. I remember a post of yours complaining about a shop assistant not doing their job well - if you weren't happy with the service why not become a shop assistant yourself and see if you can do any better! Indeed, the shop assistant is being paid to serve you and as such should do so properly. The council are also paid to run our city, and should also do so properly. That'll be the day.....

Who's getting ridiculously high salaries? Certainly not the officers nor the elected councillors. If you're talking about Bob Kerslake and his deputies then I'll agree that their salaries are too high. The local authority salaries are a joke. A manager with 27 years experience and responsibility for 30 staff earns less than 2 thirds of what an IT professional with less than 10 years experience and no staff management responsibilities can expect in the private sector.

The councillors are expected to be available 24 hours a day to their constituents and have to attend a minimum number of meetings both during the day and in the evenings and all that for an attendance allowance which is less than a job-seekers allowance.

So come on t020, who's getting these ridiculously high salaries?

There is one fundamental point, you have to make a positive choice to be a councillor, you dont just fall into the job, so they all know what they are getting into. Most of them choose it because they want to go all the way and become an MP, and then the salary and expenses becomes worthwhile.

IMHO of course

Originally posted by mikey
There is one fundamental point, you have to make a positive choice to be a councillor, you dont just fall into the job, so they all know what they are getting into. Most of them choose it because they want to go all the way and become an MP, and then the salary and expenses becomes worthwhile.

IMHO of course

I know a lot of councillors, in fact my partner will be looking for election next year, and I can assure you that the overwhelming majority aren't in it for themselves. Most of them care about their city and want to do something for it. I can think of only 4 councillors over the last 20 years who tried to become MPs and none of them were in it for the money.

I think you have a very strange view of councillors and their motives.

Yeah Ok Max fair point it was a bit extreme, I agree a lot are in it to make a difference to their area and some do a good job, but some don't and are in it for themselves.

Take a look at the recent Donnygate scandals for instance.

Originally posted by mikey
Yeah Ok Max fair point it was a bit extreme, I agree a lot are in it to make a difference to their area and some do a good job, but some don't and are in it for themselves.

Take a look at the recent Donnygate scandals for instance.

OK, it's a fair cop. I don't know anyone from Donny council so I can't say what they're like but in Sheffield we have a very open relationship with our councillors and they would find it difficult to run a scam like that un-detected.

Fortunately too, we don't have very many councillors from the party that's out for themselves.

http://society.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,4373081-106686,00.html

If anybody doesn't know what I am talking about

Speaking of councilors, I've not had much chance to read about it yet, but I heard briefly on the radio that planning permission has been given to that AWFUL design for an office block building near the winter gardens/ peace gardens. What on earth was the point in knocking down one awful looking building (Egg Box) to put up a new awful looking building in virtually the same place? Do they not learn from their mistakes?

Originally posted by t020
Speaking of councilors, I've not had much chance to read about it yet, but I heard briefly on the radio that planning permission has been given to that AWFUL design for an office block building near the winter gardens/ peace gardens. What on earth was the point in knocking down one awful looking building (Egg Box) to put up a new awful looking building in virtually the same place? Do they not learn from their mistakes?

That is sad if true. Whilst the updated version of the building is an improvement on the original plans, it is still fairly generic and uninspiring.