Louise Haigh MP for Sheffield Heeley has called on the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Simon Clarke to back a bid that would see Heeley transformed, bringing job opportunities and community resources to the area.

The joint bid has been submitted by the Heeley Trust and Sheffield City Council and sponsored by Louise Haigh MP. If successful, the community would see an investment of more than £17million which will be used to transform and regenerate derelict public buildings of heritage significance.

The bid will see old currently derelict buildings brought back to life including Meersbrook Hall which will once again become the hub of the community offering a space for makers and studios.  The site of the current Sum Studios building will be further transformed creating new arts, community and commercial space, offering a performance space and classroom for charities who support people with learning disabilities and autism.

The project will also develop a Community Health and Wellbeing Hub creating a community drop-in space for peer support, nurse-led care and patient support groups. Ash Tree Yard will also be transformed to create a bike recycling workshop, mechanic training facilities, and space for other outdoor businesses, social enterprises, and local makers.

In total more than 20,000 square feet of derelict buildings will be brought back into public use, 10,000 square feet of space for start-up businesses and the creation of a Primary Care Network Hub will be transformational and infrastructure will be created to enable active travel, ease of public transport and electric car use.

Louise Haigh MP for Sheffield Heeley, said:

“This bid is the culmination of years of hard work by the Heeley Trust and the wider community. The Trust was established in 1996 and since then they have worked to make a lasting change to their community. All of their projects have been independent, led by the community, for the community and not for profit.

“This bid that has been submitted will make a huge difference to the community of Heeley and have a wider impact across Sheffield. We’ll be transforming historical buildings and bringing them back into use for the community as well as creating spaces for entrepreneurs and the community to utilise.

“I’m calling on the government and the new Levelling up Secretary to fulfil their promise to the people of Sheffield and approve this bid in full.”

Andy Jackson, Manager of the Heeley Development Trust, said:

“We are really proud of the proposals we have submitted to the Levelling Up Fund, if we are successful, we think everyone in Heeley will feel the difference they make. We are just local people, but we think that’s where the best ideas come from!

“This project will show how much we can achieve when community, council and Politicians work together. We don’t know of any other bids to Levelling Up Fund from Community Organisations like ours anywhere and it was a lot of work to punch our way through the doubts and the bureaucracy – we couldn’t have done it without support from Louise.  Now we need a bit of luck and a good decision – keep your fingers crossed everybody!”

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, Co-Chair of Transport, Regeneration & Climate Committee said,

“This bid compliments the extensive regeneration currently under way in the city centre, extending the opportunities into this vibrant part of the city. Our city centre redevelopment has demonstrated the value of restoring and transforming historic buildings and is attracting families, jobs and visitors.

“If successful the bid will create spaces for business, craft, community and health; all vital to thriving and sustainable neighbourhoods.

“The government has committed to levelling up and this bid, having drawn together business, community and Council, is an excellent example of vision, cooperation and aspiration.”