Yorkshire Post article

Cutlery works change opposed

Published Date: 17 February 2009 By Martin Slack

CONSERVATIONISTS have launched a campaign to halt a development project which aims to transform a former cutlery works into new apartments and offices. A blueprint has been drawn up for Portland Works in Randall Street, Sheffield, which would see the Grade II listed building overhauled with part of it being demolished.But campaigners from the Victorian Society claim the plans put the historic building under threat, and have called on Sheffield Council to reject the scheme completely. Alex Baldwin, the society's conservation officer, said Portland Works was in the top six per cent of buildings of outstanding architectural and historical interest in the country. He added:

"We are very concerned that the changes needed to create a large number of flats in Portland Works will significantly alter the industrial character of this historic site.
This is a rare survival of the building type and an important part of Sheffield's history. Any alterations must take account of this and this application fails to do so."

According to documents held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the building was initially constructed in the late 1870s as one of Britain's first integrated cutlery works.In the building's listing document it is described as "an extremely good and complete example of a large, purpose-built cutlery works" and "very distinctive to the industrial identity of Sheffield".

It is thought that the first stainless steel to be manufactured in Britain was made at the site and at present the works is still home to several companies which manufacture metal products. According to the Victorian Society, the plans which have been submitted by a company called Portland Co would wipe out much of the historic detail in the building when it is converted into 77 flats. They claim the developers plan to strip out the original staircases, remove windows and doors, and build balconies on the side of the building, significantly altering its appearance. Objections have also been registered to the scheme by several businesses which currently operate from the site and neighbours, who claim that there is no need for the conversion project.In one letter sent to Sheffield Council the owner of a business says:

"We are a tenant at Portland Works, and have been operating from these premises for 51 years. We are a small manufacturing company, employing six people, producing light hand tools mainly for the building trade and are very proud to be able to brand these as made in Sheffield. Many of the businesses operating from Portland Works are still engaged in metalwork trades and as the works were built for such a purpose we do not believe they should even be considered for conversion."

The application has been supported in principle by English Heritage which told Sheffield Council planners:

"We welcome the prospect of this important metal trades complex being brought back into good repair and put to sustaining new uses. However we would urge you to ensure a full inspection is made by your conservation and design colleagues in order to assess the importance of surviving elements and features."

Planning officers at Sheffield Council are still considering the plans and the consultation responses received and will make a decision on the scheme in the next few weeks. Nobody from Portland Co was available to comment on the Victorian Society's objections or give further details about the project.

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/localnews/Cutlery-works-change-opposed.4987000.jp