Plans to build a £35m retail park in Sheffield, which could create up to 470 jobs and would comprise 12 stores, look set to be approved.

The 8.23-acre St James Retail Park would be built at The Sheffield College’s former Norton campus site on Bochum Parkway, which is earmarked for demolition.

Until the summer of 2015 the site, which comprises approximately 190,327 sq ft of buildings, was used as a campus but was shut down following a review and rationalisation of college facilities across the city.

The planning application, submitted by Quod on behalf of St James Securities, is made up of three main sections.

The first comprises units A, B and N. Unit A is the second largest of all 12 and is expected to be occupied by Aldi, while unit N would be home to a national card retailer.

Units C, D, E, F, G and H make up the second area of the development, which is expected to be home to a fashion or mixed goods company (D) and a standalone fashion retailer (H).

The third and smallest section of the masterplan would comprise units J, K and M. In a planning statement submitted by Quod, the company said that any the remaining units for which uses have not been specified would like to be taken up by a sports retailer, chemist and outdoor clothing/footwear occupiers.

A 425-space car park would also be built.

The same statement said that that at least 235 full-time or 470 part-time jobs would be created upon the development opening, while 124 roles would be created during the construction process.

Quod added: “The development will deliver a range of planning benefits – economic, social and environmental – which are to be afforded significant weight, particularly the economic considerations, given the levels of deprivation experienced in the adjoining area.”

Sheffield City Council has been recommended to approve the project at its meeting on 28 June.

SOURCE: http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/yorkshire/decision-due-on-35m-sheffield-retail-park