The University will retain the majority of Collegiate Campus, including the core, more modern buildings in the southern part of the site, while releasing the Woodville Hall site on Broomhall Road and the northern section of the main site on Collegiate Crescent.
The plans form part of Sheffield Hallam’s wider estates strategy, which has seen significant investment in its City Campus and the majority of teaching and learning activity move into Sheffield city centre.
Collegiate Campus will remain home to thousands of students and staff from the University’s College of Health, Wellbeing and Lifesciences, and therefore an important part of its estate, for years to come. The University is continuing to invest in the campus, including a recent investment of more than £4 million to enhance facilities for Health, Social Care, Nursing and Sport courses.
The northern section of the campus – running from just above the Heart of the Campus building on Collegiate Crescent up to Clarkehouse Road - contains several older buildings, including listed Victorian villas and larger heritage buildings such as Southbourne and White House. While these buildings are valued for their heritage, several are no longer in use and are not well suited to modern teaching and learning.
Sheffield Hallam does not intend to develop the areas being released itself. Instead, it plans to sell them to purchasers with the skills and expertise to deliver high-quality, sensitive development. The University will expect future proposals to respect the conservation area setting and make a positive contribution to Sheffield.
Before taking the sites to market, the University is developing a set of priorities to help guide their future. These include protecting the open, parkland character and mature trees; securing the future of heritage buildings; and retaining important walking connections through the campus.
The University is now inviting its neighbours, staff and students to help develop these priorities before they are incorporated into the marketing process.
A spokesperson for Sheffield Hallam University said: “Collegiate Campus remains an important part of our estate, and we are continuing to invest in the facilities our students and staff enjoy.
“At the same time, some parts of the campus are no longer required. Releasing these sites provides an opportunity for these distinctive spaces to make a different contribution to the local area, while generating funds that can be reinvested in teaching and learning.
“We recognise that Collegiate is an important part of Sheffield, located within the Broomhall Conservation Area and with a distinctive green and historic character that people value. We want to be a good neighbour and engage openly throughout this process.
“That is why we are speaking to residents, our staff and students at this early stage. Their views will help us develop a shared set of priorities for the sites and make clear what we expect from any future purchaser.”
Sheffield Hallam is holding two community drop-in sessions, in the ground-floor foyer of the Heart of the Campus Building, Collegiate Crescent. These are taking place on Wednesday 23 September, from 4pm to 7.30pm and on Thursday 24 September, from 2pm to 4.30pm.
Residents will be able to speak to the University team, ask questions and provide feedback on the emerging priorities.
