Park Hill has always been one of the most contentious Urban Splash schemes. A bit like Marmite; people either love it or hate it!
There are certainly many knockers who believe that Park Hill should be demolished rather than refurbished; apart from the fact that it’s illegal to pull down a listed building, its also unsustainable to demolish a building that could be saved!
It’s interesting looking at the blogs about Park Hill and seeing so many differing opinions on the scheme. I believe that the tide is beginning to turn and as we reveal new additions to the building I firmly believe not only are we restoring Park Hill but actually improving it. Every time I visit the place its great to see the how much it’s taking shape with big changes constantly being made, including the colourful facade.
To read more about Park Hill visit our blog or the BBC website’s updates on the scheme then let us know what your thoughts are below!
I grew up in a village in the Derbyshire dales and Sheffield was always our closest major city. The place you went to but records, to go to concerts and to begin to grow up into. I was always brought up to look down my nose at Park Hill. A place for those who lived on benefits, didn’t contribute anything and spent their lives indulging in anti-social behaviour.
As I grew up, I got to know a number of people who lived at Park Hill and learned that its inhabitants were just like everyone else - stuggling through life and making the same mistakes as everyone else. I now visit family in derbyshire regularly and this entails a trip through the centre of sheffield. Each time my eyes drift towards the Park Hill skyline and I am thrilled to see how its changed on each consecutive visit. I happen to think that English Heritage are almost a liability under Simon Thurleys leadership, but on this decision they were not wrong.
I am delighted that this important element of Shgeffield’s social history is being brought back to life and with any luck I will be first in line to buy one when they become available.