Plans submitted for Meadowhall extension

British Land has submitted a detailed planning application to Sheffield City Council for the £300m Meadowhall Leisure Hall designed by BDP.

The planning submission follows extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. Public exhibitions were held in June and October this year with 93% of respondents expressing support for the proposals.

The 30,000 sqm extension comprises additional dining and entertinment space to offer new experiences and activities, all of which will create a unique and outstanding destination for the Sheffield region. These include new restaurants, a state-of-the-art cinema, a café court, gym and an open-air terrace that will allow visitors to dine outside.

The Leisure Hall will be integrated with the front of the existing centre to create a new multi-levelled, landscaped open space. Detailed plans to improve accessibility have been developed and a new multi-storey car park will be created. Sustainability is central to the proposals, with solar panels planned for the roof of the new cinema to provide at least 10% of the scheme’s energy consumption.

Architect director Garry Wilding said: “The Leisure hall is a hugely exciting project that will completely transform Meadowhall, creating a welcoming and inspiring new face to the centre. The most powerful design element will be the flowing glass roof, this beautiful and elegant structure will protect a series of spectacular spaces beneath and create an exceptional landmark for the city and the wider region.”

The project will follow on from our extensive interior refurbishment of the centre itself, which is due to complete in 2017, creating a new holistic vision for Meadowhall.

Start on site is set for 2018 with the scheme open to the public by late 2021.