Ash Tree Yard Creative Workspace, Sheffield

Feasibility, demand and site appraisal and outline design study carried out for Heeley Development Trust. The Trust own the Ash Tree Yard site, and aim to develop it to help develop the local economy for the benefit of the area and to generate income to support the Trust’s community development work.

Heeley and Meersbrook lies about 2 miles southwest of Sheffield City Centre. The study identified that the area is home to numerous creative professionals and small creative industry businesses, many operating from semi-industrial commercial properties or from a home base. Attitudes surveyed in the area suggest a strong reluctance to locating businesses in the city centre due to high rent costs and commuting issues (traffic, car parking costs, poor public transport), and a great wish to locating workplaces close to home. The resulting scheme designed by Studio Gedye proposes a modern courtyard building of circa 20,000, which incorporates many green technologies and features and acts as a demonstration project for sustainable business workspace in a neighbourhood setting. Project development and fundraising is ongoing.