4.9 Sheaf Valley Quarter

Principles

Degree of intervention
Sheaf Valley has the potential for dramatic change, therefore, the degree of intervention recommended is Reinvention and Reconfiguration.

Activity
Existing activity nodes within the quarter, such as the Station, the University and the shopping and leisure facilities, should be enhanced by new development and public realm improvements to create a more pedestrian focussed environment.

Architectural style and materials
Contemporary architecture and the use of modern materials should be encouraged particularly at the e-campus. With few sites of historic significance, Sheaf Valley should welcome bold and innovative designs.

New buildings in Fitzalan Square should be designed sensitively to respect this historic precinct. Here, building height should maintain the existing heights or adopt appropriate setbacks so that the scale of historic buildings is not overwhelmed.

Detailed guidance on building design, orientation and materials is set out in Part 3.2 Guidance - Architectural Quality.

A Fitzalan Square, building materials should be sensitive to the character of that area . Outwith these areas modern materials will be permitted. These should be sourced locally and from sustainably managed resources whenever possible to contribute to the sustainable development of the quarter (refer part 3.2).

Building form and height
Building heights will generally be contained at around 4/5 storeys in the valley bottom with the potential to 8 storeys where it can be demonstrated that it would not have an adverse impact on views and the city skyline. Greater heights should be considered in terms of site context and the response of individual proposals to local design and amenity conditions.

Encourage strong built form at the edge of main routes, i.e. built form along Sheaf Street should be 4/5 storeys with development rising to 8 storeys towards Pond Street and Arundel Gate. It is essential that new building along these routes address their function as gateway structures.

Tall buildings, i.e. those over 15 storeys, should be confined to nominated gateway sites and introduced selectively in accordance with the strategic guidance of Part 3.2.

Refer ‘Creating a sense of Enclosure’ in architectural guidance.

Public realm
Focus public realm improvements on creating the pedestrian connection from the new Station Square, through Sheaf Square and Howard Street to the city centre. As the most important pedestrian gateway in the city, it is essential that this route is clear, direct and strong in its design.

• Ensure that the principal route from Station Square affords sightlines through Sheaf Square and up the Howard Street hill.
  
• Gateway buildings at Sheaf Square, sited on either side of Howard Street and Surrey Lane, could be used to define the entry to this space.
  
• Remove the open lot carparking to allow the creation of this pedestrian space.
  
• Use of manufactured materials in these spaces must not detract from the natural materials palette of the Heart of the City.
  
• Create a planting theme in Howard Street that serves to soften the space without impeding sightlines.

Create a series of finer-grain pedestrian spaces leading from the Howard Street spine which feed into the university, e-campus and CIQ. Consideration should be given to the pedestrianisation of the area between Pond Street and Harmer Lane as part of the e-campus development.

Promote public realm improvements at Flat Street to improve connections to Castle market and ensure that new development addresses the street.

Consider innovative solutions to overcome the level changes leading up to the Arundel Gate. This could include systems of ramps and steps, designed for sculptural effect as well as accessibility, or mechanised means such as public escalators.

The Sheaf Valley quarter will generally adhere to the material palette and street furniture suite for Secondary Zones as set out in table 5.1 and 5.2 respectively (part 5.1) with the exception of the main pedestrian route between the railway station and the Heart of the City which will adhere to the Primary Zone palette of materials and street furniture set out in these tables (refer diagram 3.3).

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