Council confident in rebirth of Sheffield’s landmark housing estate

Councillors in Sheffield have reaffirmed their commitment to the overhaul of Grade II-listed Park Hill in the wake of fresh criticism of the £160m scheme.

Opposition Sheffield Liberal Democrats say “slow progress” on the delayed refurbishment and subsequent sale of the first 78 apartments. Only 27 have been sold to private buyers since they went on the market in 2011, while 26 were purchased for social housing.

Critics say this raises concerns over the fate of a further 159 flats – 129 of which will be sold off - due for completion in March 2016. Another 26 refurbished properties will also go up for sale in the Gilbert Street area in March next year.

Urban Splash insists all of the finished flats on the estate are now occupied and it is on track to finish phase one on time.

Coun Steve Ayris, Sheffield Liberal Democrat spokesman for housing, said: “When this project was first launched we warned that it had the potential to collapse. We know progress has been slow and sale on the open market has been poor.”

So far, £40m of taxpayers’ money has been spent on the project since it first began in 2008, and the local authority has also ploughed cash into other schemes to improve surrounding areas.

Urban Splash currently owns the site under development, while the council owns the remaining two blocks.

Sheffield Council has ordered developers to submit a financial appraisal when phase one is finished in 2016 before it is given the go-ahead to begin on the next apartment block. In turn, the council must then give developers vacant possession of all the properties.

Coun Ayris added: “The council has thrown millions of pounds at Park Hill in the past few years, at a time when we know every penny counts and we need clear guarantees that no further council funds will be thrown at this white elephant project.”

Coun Harry Harpham, Sheffield Council cabinet member for homes, said: “The regeneration is breathing life back into [the estate] creating a new community with a mixture of housing for people of all walks of life.

“However, this process is not something which can happen overnight. The aim of is to see a thriving community established at Park Hill.”