Broomhill and Sharrow Vale Green Councillor Brian Holmshaw has called for urgent action to protect Sheffield’s unique industrial heritage.
At last week’s Sheffield Full Council meeting, Councillor Holmshaw raised the deterioration and neglect of some historic sites.
Councillor Holmshaw said
“A car crash earlier this year demolished the railings protecting the scheduled monument of Bower Springs Cementation Furnace. This is one of the few examples of an early 19th Century furnace made to mass produce steel. The site is already overgrown and in a poor condition. This damaged fencing just makes the site more vulnerable. Until I raised this, the Council’s Insurance Department was unaware of the damage to this historic site. I will be pushing for urgent action to get the railings fixed.
A short walk away is the Daniel Doncaster cementation furnace which, though in a complete condition, is showing signs of neglect
“The Daniel Doncaster cementation furnace is a Scheduled Historic Monument. It is the single best example of this type of steel making furnace to survive in Great Britain. It is obvious that it has not been well maintained. It has saplings growing out of its sides, damaging this historic structure.
“ I am pleased the council has issued a Section 215 notice that requires remedial works to be carried out. I will be keeping a close eye on the building to help ensure work is carried out swiftly to protect this unique part of Sheffield’s heritage.”
Across the road is another Grade 2 listed building, the Don Cutlery works on Doncaster Street.
“The Don Cutlery Works was one of the first integrated cutlery works in the world. It is clearly in a poor condition and covered in graffiti. There are also reports of holes in the roof of the building. I am pleased at least that, following my raising the issue at Council, that City Council officers will be in contact with the owner regarding the work needed to ensure it is properly maintained.
“Heritage-led regeneration has the power to improve an area, both economically and in the way that it looks. We have seen this at the Kelham Island Conservation Area nearby. The area around the Cutlery Works and the Daniel Doncaster Cementation Furnace are both part of a major 825 home development being overseen by Homes England. Given that this is a sensitive site, it is vital that both these historic assets are not just protected but improved and preserved for future generations. This should be a significant consideration as part of any planning application for the site.
“Sheffield’s heritage will not be preserved and protected if we aren’t vigilant and raising issues with the council and other bodies responsible for our historic sites. Once these places are lost they are lost forever and it is vital that the authorities know these places are important, cared about and that we speak up for them.”
