Sheffield: £67m in funding promised for two new neighbourhoods

Neepsend would provide a "sustainable neighbourhood" with waterside living

Two new neighbourhoods in Sheffield, providing 1,300 homes in the city centre, have been given a £67m boost.

The funds come from Homes England, the government housing agency, which said it would "kickstart the transformation" of Furnace Hill and Neepsend.

The development will also see commercial space, new local facilities and public green spaces.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove announced the plans at the Convention of the North conference on Friday.

Sheffield City Council leader Tom Hunt said a minimum of 20% of the new homes would be "truly affordable accommodation", which would be "within the reach of everyone".

In the plans, Furnace Hill would become a liveable neighbourhood with "a focus on people and place".

The council said the area would provide a "broad residential offer", alongside commercial and leisure space.

Its industrial heritage would also be celebrated by creating a "new public realm with the iconic Cementation Furnace at its core".

The new community at Furnace Hill would be built on brownfield land near Cementation Furnace

The council said the other new neighbourhood at Neepsend would "promote the best of city life" but with added benefits of outdoor and waterside living alongside the River Don.

The plans for Neepsend sought to attract local families to the core of the city, by providing a range of housing, amenities and green public spaces.

The developments will also include a network of public spaces and streets to improve connections between the city centre and Kelham Island.

Peter Denton, chief executive of Homes England, said: "This funding will kickstart the transformation of Furnace Hill and Neepsend, paving the way for 1,300 new homes and 4,000 square metres of commercial space, and, ultimately, the creation of two new vibrant communities for the people of Sheffield to enjoy.  

"We've worked in partnership with the council and other local stakeholders to create a viable action plan, and now we're providing the funding to help make it happen."  

Mr Hunt said the regeneration plan would "breathe new life" into the two areas and "create great neighbourhoods", adding that the council had "big plans" for more new neighbourhoods.