Published Date: 27 February 2009
PLANS to convert a historic cutlery works into 77 flats and offices have run into opposition from leading Labour politicians, who say Sheffield's industrial heritage should be preserved,
Central MP Richard Caborn and Labour's parliamentary candidate for the constituency, Paul Blomfield, will today visit Portland Works in Randall Street, near Bramall Lane, which accommodates a number of businesses.
Mr Caborn said: "If the plans go ahead not only will a wonderful piece of architecture have its heart ripped out but traditional manufacturing companies are at risk of being lost from Sheffield."
Mr Blomfield said: "There aren't a lot of small metal manufacturing workshops in the city any more, so where small companies are still involved in the metal trade we should support them."
The works date back to the 1870s and are "one of Sheffield's most significant industrial buildings", according to the national Victorian Society, which is opposing the conversion scheme.
It was at the site that the first stainless steel was manufactured in Britain, produced in 1913 by R F Mosley and Co. A decision on the planning application will be made by the council.
http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/Conversion-opposed.5021877.jp
There is also an article in the Forge Press p11. http://issuu.com/forgepress/docs/binder1_issue_10_x_2?mode=embed
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Christ how much more of Sheffield are we to lose? i love this place onto it:
ReplyDeleteunderclassrising.net
worldwarfree@risieup.net
Yes we will come take images do whatever section 7 anyone?
M M Wallis
It is good that the Victorian Society and Richard Caborn are recognising that the Heritage here lies in more than just the fabric of the building but also in the metalworking trades being practiced there. This is beginning to be recognised within the heritage industry as a whole. I think I would be inclined to try to get the English Heritage report looked at again and for it to consider the trades as well as the fabric. I have a contact within EH that I could take it up with if you could give me more detail.
ReplyDeleteRobin, that would be absolutely fantatsic... what kind of infiormation would you need? I think the best people to talk to are Andrew and Frances Cole of Wigfull Tools who are based ion the building, know pretty much everybody in there and have done lots of histrocial, architectural and social research... i can supply their contact details for you.... my email address is julia@sharrowcf.org.uk
ReplyDelete