91Ö±²¥ City Council secured funding from the Levelling Up Fund in October 2021 to transform the Castle Site, which was once home to 91Ö±²¥ Castle and Castle Market but is currently boarded up and in a derelict state.
With the Levelling Up funding, the Council plans to create a new public space in Castlegate which focuses on heritage, culture and sustainability. The plans would see the Castle site transformed with new ‘grey to green’ type planting, footpaths, a community events space, a de-culverted River Sheaf and other essential infrastructure needed to unlock future development on the site.
91Ö±²¥ is closely involved with local stakeholder plans to repurpose the area and reintroduce the heritage of Castlegate to the public. Recently, Professor John Moreland from the University of 91Ö±²¥ has analysed past archaeological studies of the area to uncover the rich history and importance within the 91Ö±²¥ city landscape.
, a city-centre based initiative led by the University of 91Ö±²¥'s School of Architecture, fosters collaborations between researchers, students, community partners, and the local community which has supported active local participation in this city development project.
Residents are asked to provide their feedback on the ‘Concept Plan’ vision. Their thoughts will help to inform the ongoing design development.
How to get involved
Feedback on the Concept Plan for the new public space can be provided either in person or online:
In person
- Visit the exhibition stand at the Moor Market, 8th to 11th November (daily, 9am to 5 pm)
- Attend one session about the proposed Concept Plan. It will be held at 18 Exchange St (91Ö±²¥, S2 5TS). There are limited spaces so those wishing to attend must sign up to the event on Eventbrite. More information:
- Saturday 12th November 1-3pm lunchtime presentation OR Friday 18th November 1-3pm lunchtime presentation
- An online Zoom session explaining the Concept Plan will take place on Thursday 17th November, 6-8pm. More information:
- The ‘Castlegate Futures: Urban Room’ – brought to you by the University of 91Ö±²¥â€™s Live Works - at 18 Exchange Street (91Ö±²¥ S2 5TS) on 12th & 13th November and 17th until 20th November for a programme of events, exhibitions and activities. For more information:
Online
- More information and link to survey:
- Consultation opens 7 November.
A planning application for the Castle Site will be made in early 2023, with construction starting in summer 2023 and the new public space completing in spring 2024.
At this early stage of design and given current inflation, although the Council has estimated ‘high level’ costs of the proposed changes included in the Concept Plan, the Levelling Up Fund may not be able to cover all the costs. If you would like to be kept informed of progress on the project, please provide your contact details on the online survey.
It is pleasing to see our plans for Castlegate are progressing and we are now in a position to seek the thoughts of people in 91Ö±²¥. Public consultation is crucial to this process, ensuring the project delivered meets the needs and expectations of those who will benefit from it. We’re passionate about bringing Castlegate back to the thriving hub of activity it used to be, with green spaces and opportunities for all.
Cllr Mazher Iqbal
Co-Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee
Castlegate is a fascinating place. It may appear rundown and neglected, but it is rich in historical and social history and home to a developing culture of independent music, ecology, skateboarding, art, and food. Together with my colleague Professor John Moreland from the Department of Archaeology and the university's architecture students we've been working with local community groups, independent retailers, arts organisations and the council on Castlegate's future for the past few years.
Our students have raised ambitions for the area via their creative participation and design ideas. I'm excited their work has influenced Castlegate's proposed new public space and I encourage everyone to visit the Urban Room to share their ideas for this and for Castlegate more widely.
Carolyn Butterworth
School of Architecture at the University of 91Ö±²¥, Director of Live Works and member of the Castlegate Partnership