Park Hill one step closer to wasteful multi-million pound project

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 21st Aug 2006

The Park Hill complex

Today the plan for the Park Hill site was given outline planning permission by the councils City Centre, South and East Planning Board. Sheffield's Liberal Democrats are opposed to the scheme which will waste at least £35m of public money.

Although planning permission was granted for the masterplan, there will need to be another final detailed planning application submitted and approved if work is to be given the final go-ahead.

Councillor Bob McCann, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet member for Neighborhoods, said: -

"The vast majority of people in Sheffield will be disappointed with this news. It means that the prospect of the much-loathed Park Hill site hanging over Sheffield for another 30 to 40 years is one step closer. However this is not the final nail in the coffin and plans could still be reversed"

"We still believe that Labours plan to spend £35m of public money on refurbishing Park Hill is the wrong option. It is a waste of money on a massive scale and goes against the wishes of the people of Sheffield who do not want to see one of the ugliest buildings in the UK retained"

"The decision on Park Hill will have a major impact on the surrounding area and a key gateway to Sheffield. If the current plan goes ahead we will lose a unique opportunity to truly revamp the entire Sheaf Valley corridor"

"There is only one viable option for the Council and that is to pursue demolition. However, the real roadblock to this remains Labour politicians in the Town Hall who profess to 'love' Park Hill. When will this Council listen and start to govern in the interests of the people?"