Sheffield "Chinatown" development plans approved

Existing buildings will be demolished to make room for a plaza with with mixed use developments

Plans for a £65m "Chinatown" development in Sheffield have been approved by councillors.

Jerry Cheung of New Era UK Ltd, the Sheffield company behind the plans, said the project would be funded entirely by Chinese investors.

The 86,100 sq ft (8,000 sq m) mixed use development will sit between St Mary's Gate, Bramall Lane and Sheldon Street.

Mr Cheung, who has lived in Sheffield since 1975, said 400 new jobs could be created once it is complete.

Existing buildings will be demolished to create a plaza with an oriental cash and carry, food and drink outlets, student flats and office space.

Mr Cheung came to Sheffield as a mechanical engineering graduate for British Steel and was at one time chair of Sheffield Chinese Community.

'A new era'

He said it would hopefully be "the Times Square" of Sheffield and would attract Chinese enterprises to the city, rather than to Leeds or Manchester.

"The vision for Sheffield's Chinatown began in 2005. The aim is to integrate the Chinese community rather than keeping the two separate," Mr Cheung said.

He added that the look and feel would reflect "the new era and future" rather than a "tired and dated" historic Chinatown look familiar to other British cities.

Phase one could be built by the end of next year with the whole scheme completed by 2018, Mr Cheung said.

Sheffield silverware firm Lathco, which has had a premises on Boston Street since 1979, objected to the plans on the grounds that it would have to relocate.

Mr Cheung said he wanted to integrate the Chinese community in the city