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Contract signing signals delivery of Fox Valley development in Stocksbridge, north Sheffield

Contract signing signals delivery of Fox Valley development in Stocksbridge, north Sheffield

Contract signing signals delivery of Fox Valley development in Stocksbridge, north Sheffield

6 February 2014

Contracts confirming the land sale and construction plans for the £42 million Fox Valley development in north Sheffield have been officially signed – signalling that work can start on this ambitious mixed use development.

Fox Valley is being brought forward by the Barnsley based retail development firm Dransfield Properties and will transform a 15 acre former industrial site off Manchester Road in Stocksbridge, into a vibrant mixed use development.

This week’s contract signing confirms the transfer of the land to deliver the development as well as formalising the agreement with the main contractor – South Yorkshire company Henry Boot Construction.

And this important milestones in the plans confirms that work can now start on site at the end of February with an official soil cutting ceremony planned for March.

This first phase of work will involve building a new steel stock warehouse for Tata Steel; the company currently uses part of the Fox Valley development site for steel storage.

Once the new warehouse has been completed later this year, Henry Boot Construction can then move onto the main retail and leisure site to start work on creating a new commercial heart in this part of north Sheffield which will bring up to 900 new jobs to the area.

The development, due to be completed early in 2016, also includes;

• A new link road to the A616 Sheffield to Manchester Road
• New high spec office space 
• A new 635 space car park
• Retail, restaurant and café units anchored by a 63,000 sq. ft. Tesco store
• High quality public realm area and landscaping as well as strong pedestrian links with Manchester Rd
• A new housing development neighbouring the main retail and commercial development

The development is being brought forward by the award winning retail developers Dransfield Properties, based in Barnsley, the company has worked on the high quality design with the Sheffield architects Dixon Dawson to reflect the site’s industrial heritage.

The team behind the project has worked on the plans for more than seven years and the contract signing with representatives of Tata Steel and Henry Boot Construction signals a major step forward for the scheme.

The milestone was marked by the presentation of traditional Fox umbrellas – the Paragon steel umbrella frame was developed by Samuel Fox who first started a steel works in Stocksbridge in 1842. 

The development team working on the Fox Valley project have worked hard to ensure that the heritage of the site is reflected in the style of architecture and public realm, a striking “umbrella building” is being built in a key position at Fox Valley.

Managing Director of Dransfield Properties, Mark Dransfield, said: “In bringing forward this new development for Stocksbridge we’re also very keen to remember and reflect the past and the rich heritage and history of the site.

“We have been working on our plans for Fox Valley for several years now and everyone involved with the project is extremely pleased to be celebrating this milestone of finalising the paper work which allows the development to progress. We are now looking forward to getting onto site at the end of the month.

“We have worked closely with Tata Steel to ensure that the steel works here in Stocksbridge can continue to flourish alongside our own plans for the area and hopefully to benefit from the investment in the area.” 

Dransfield Properties has received an investment of £8,111,040 from the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme 2007- 2013, which is managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government to bring forward the Fox Valley project.

Managing Director Tata Speciality Steels, Mark Broxholme, said: "The contract signing marks a new chapter in the history of Stocksbridge. While Stocksbridge has a long association with the steel industry, and Tata Steel is committed to being a part of the town, I am delighted we have been able to be a part of its future too.

"This new development will see part of the former steel works brought back to life - it is a time of great change for the town."

Angela Smith, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, who attended the contract signing, said: "I am delighted to see things moving forward on this project and look forward to seeing the next stage of development go ahead. I am particularly pleased to see this development not only bring regeneration and new jobs in to the area but also having a real benefit for manufacturing and the steel industry."

 

Pictures shows: Contract signing with l-r Angela Smith MP, Simon Carr MD of Henry Boot, Mark Dransfield MD of Dransfield Properties and Mark Broxholme MD of Tata Speciality Steels.  

Angela Smith MP (centre left) with Deborah Holmes of Dransfield Properties with representatives of Tata, Henry Boot and the Dransfield Properties professional team. 


Notes to editors
1. 
Dransfield Properties is based in Tankersley, South Yorkshire. The company was formed in 1992 and specialises in market town and district centre retail led developments.
The plans for the Fox Valley scheme we first proposed in 2007 and approved by Sheffield City Council in 2009.  The Fox Valley development site is made up of several land ownerships including Outokumpu and Tata Steels.
For further information about Dransfield Properties and Fox Valley visit www.dransfield.co.uk

2. 

The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme which runs from 2007 to 2013. This is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development.
• The Yorkshire and Humber competitiveness and employment programme has €583.6 million of ERDF to invest. It focuses on 4 main priorities:
o Priority 1: promoting innovation and research and development
o Priority 2: supporting and stimulating successful enterprise
o Priority 3: sustainable communities
o Priority 4: economic infrastructure and place based regeneration in South Yorkshire
• For more information visit:
https://www.gov.uk/browse/business/funding-debt/european-regional-development-funding

 

For further information, contact:

Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Email: pr@dransfield.co.uk