Multi-million pound Sheffield city centre student accommodation scheme takes major step forward

A proposed regeneration scheme in Sheffield city centre has moved a significant step closer after the signing of a deal between developers and a student accommodation provider.

The multi-million pound project at the junctions of Moore Street, Fitzwilliam Street and Thomas Street off The Moor will create more than 800 student bedrooms, shops and cafes.

The site is currently occupied by the former Stokes Tiles Centre and surrounding properties.

The 12-story scheme has made significant progress following the exchange of contracts between developers Litton Buccleuch (Moore Street) Ltd and a student accommodation provider.

The development is based around four connected blocks providing flats with retail and cafes on the ground floors. Detailed planning consultation meetings have been held with Sheffield City Council and an application will be ready to be submitted soon.

Subject to planning approval, construction is anticipated to start in May 2018 and will take about 24 months to complete in time for the new student intake in autumn 2020.

Litton Buccleuch is a joint venture between Bakewell-based Litton Property Group and Edinburgh-based Buccleuch Property.

The joint venture has been working on the scheme for over two years with a professional team led by Sheffield-based architects Coda.

Working with landowners Stokes Tiles and Sheffield City Council, and latterly a specialist student accommodation provider, Litton Buccleuch has assembled a student scheme on this strategic site within close proximity to both Sheffield Universities.

The council hopes further residential developments will be triggered in the adjoining Devonshire Quarter once this scheme proceeds.

Mark Twelves of Litton Buccleuch said: “We are delighted to have exchanged contracts with a dynamic and forward-thinking student provider, whose track record in other cities speaks for itself.

“The finished product will provide high specification student living in a prime location between the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University and within the inner ring road.

“The city council, its planners and both universities are in broad support of the scheme that will complement Sheffield council’s progressive regeneration proposals for the city centre and provide the universities with a further selling platform in a very competitive market.

“Students, particularly postgraduates, are getting more selective in their living requirements which means the universities competing for them need to have high quality accommodation as part of their offer.

“We are confident there is a demand. There is some good student accommodation provision, but a lot of it is old and there is not enough to meet growing requirements.”