Great news for Velocity Tower

Well, twin towers .....

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/30stor...wer.4471138.jp

By Tony Belshaw

PLANS to raise the height of the Velocity Tower in Sheffield from its present 22 storeys to 30 have been approved by councillors – but they warned that was as high as they would go.

Developers wanted to raise the tower, on St Mary's Gate, to 36 storeys, but planners expressed concern that would be too high.

So instead they sent in a second application for 30 storeys, which has now been given the green light.

It means the green-tinted glass and concrete structure will become the second-tallest building in the city when it is completed, behind only the St Paul's Tower on Arundel Gate.

The tower will stand at just under 90 metres and could be topped by two wind turbines to provide electricity for the new building.

Councillors also approved plans for second tower of 18 storeys and a four-storey 'link' block in place of a previously-approved 13-storey wing.

Sheffield Council's city centre planning board was told a separate application for the 36-storey tower remains on the table – but developers promised that if the 30-storey option were approved they would leave it at that.

Coun Arthur Dunworth told Sheffield Council's city centre planning board: "I don't see why we shouldn't have this. It is reminiscent of downtown Kuala Lumpur.

"I am not sure about 36 storeys though, and the message needs to go back that we may not approve 36 storeys."

Coun Alan Whitehouse added: "This thing just gets higher and higher. I have enjoyed watching it go up. It is very visible, not just from around the city centre but even from Ringinglow. Thirty storeys is acceptable. Thirty-six and I begin to wonder."

Debbie Hoare, from Axis Architecture, said she felt the 30 storey plan was a good compromise.

The approval of the 30 storey plan means that plans for a spectacular sky bar with views across the city will now be ditched.

The additional floors to the building will largely be taken up by a hotel.

Yippee!

(shame about the Skybar however )

Good news, but pathetic that they "expressed concern that would be too high" on the 36 storey extension.

Coun. Arthur Dunworth, shame on you. Retire and let someone with vision shape a once-great city.

why on earth do we need these things:loopy:

why on earth do we need these things:loopy:

How many times do you hear people slating the city centre? The current remodeling of the city centre should give a bit of pride back and rejuvenate it a little.

why on earth do we need these things

Plot of land worth one million pounds, divided into one house - house costs a minimum of one million pounds.

Divided into 200 houses on fifty floors - houses cost a minimum of twenty thousand pounds.

Anybody else think cheaper housing would be a good thing?

why on earth do we need these things:loopy:

Because we are a major core British city and we should have tall buildings to help symbolise that.

Because we are a major core British city and we should have tall buildings to help symbolise that.

That's the best argument I've heard so far in favour of not having them. We have a vast number of better things to spend money on than trying to keep up with the Joneses.

That's the best argument I've heard so far in favour of not having them. We have a vast number of better things to spend money on than trying to keep up with the Joneses.

You say we have better things to spend money on ...

Since when were WE spending money on it?

If the tower provides quality homes and spaces for a variety of lifestyles to form a varied, vibrant and sustainable community then it shall be a good thing.

Does anyone who has commented on other threads about this particular development 'going bust' want to comment ? No ? Thought not.

Dangerous post that one - it has the look of one that might come back to haunt you one day!

Does anyone who has commented on other threads about this particular development 'going bust' want to comment ? No ? Thought not.

What like the financial problems involved with City Lofts - which is still going full steam?

Would you like to bet VT will be completed?