Contractors Keltbray have moved onto the former home of Sheffield’s Castle Market to set up a site compound and start clearing the area, kickstarting a regeneration project which will oversee a public open space once home to a 12th-century castle, the birthplace of Sheffield.
Once planning conditions are agreed, this phase is expected to continue until July and will include the demolition of concrete structures (remnants of the Castle Market) as well as various cut & fill earthworks. The archaeological excavation of the Castle’s Gatehouse and Moat as well as 19th century steelworks will also start.
Keltbray Highways’ MD Louise Pavitt said: “We are thrilled to work with Sheffield City Council on a project with such a rich cultural history. Our site teams have extensive experience of working with Sheffield City Council and are delighted to start works on the Castlegate scheme, providing an exciting open space for the public.”
The first phase is said to be important to develop and inform the of the site, allowing visitors to see the remains of Sheffield Castle including the Gatehouse. Apart from the excavations of the 1950’s, this will be the first time the gatehouse will be opened up since the Castle was demolished in the late 1600’s.
As part of Phase 2 of works, further nods to the city’s history will be created with the development of a 500 people capacity events space, reminiscent of the ‘bowling green’ believed to have occupied the area in the 17th century and heritage interpretation boards and public art throughout the site.
The site is also the place where the river Sheaf, which gave the city its name, and the river Don meet. Phase 2 will include opening up the Sheaf, making it visible in the City Centre for the first time since the Victorian age and create the Sheaf Fields area of the park.
