Chapeltown Baths for Potential Development

9th June 2015

Sheffield, UK New and innovative ways to rejuvenate an important site in the centre of Chapeltown for its 10,000 residents are being sought.

Ecclesfield Parish Council has appointed Knight Frank and Shield Estates to market the site of Chapeltown Baths, ending speculation about the future of the facility after councillors ruled out any possibility of the site operating as a swimming pool or leisure facility beyond its scheduled 2016 closure. The future of the prominent baths building, on Burncross Road, became uncertain following confirmation of a new £7m North Active leisure and swimming facility in nearby High Green, but the site will now be offered for redevelopment which meets public benefit and market value requirements. Ben White, Senior Surveyor, and Rebecca Schofield, Partner at the Sheffield office of Knight Frank, are appointed to market the site. Ben said: -The decision by Ecclesfield Parish Council to earmark Chapeltown Baths for alternate use ends much of the speculation over its future and opens up an important, centrally located site for an exciting new era, to the benefit of the immediate community. -The site, which extends to just under an acre, includes a detached two storey building currently used as a swimming pool and leisure centre and offers the opportunity for the premises to be refurbished or the site be redeveloped. -Accordingly, we are targeting a mixture of occupiers and developers to source the best options for the parish council to consider. -The site lends itself to a number of possibilities including small shops, residential, offices, food and drink outlets and alternative community facilities subject to planning. Chapeltown Baths is located in a predominantly residential area, with an Asda superstore and a number of traditional high street retailers nearby, the main commercial areas in close proximity being Smithywood, Tankersley and Ecclesfield S35. Councillor Garry Weatherall, from Ecclesfield Parish Council, said: -This is an exciting time for Chapeltown with the new leisure centre at nearby High Green set to provide unparalleled swimming and fitness facilities for the area. -This also allows us to look again at Chapeltown Baths and to seek out new and innovative opportunities to rejuvenate an important site in the centre of Chapeltown with a wider view on improving the location to the benefit of 10,000 residents. -We are open to a variety of proposed uses for the baths but our emphasis will be on providing the best public benefit and maximising on the site's value. Chapeltown Baths fronts Burncross Road (B6546) which in turn connects to the A629 (Cowley Lane), providing direct fast access to Junction 35 of the M1.