Educator heads for Fountain Precinct

Fairfield School of Business will take up the fifth floor of the Sheffield office building, following approval for a change of use.

A decision notice was issued by Sheffield City Council on 9 April permitting conversion at the Balm Green building, which among others is home to Knight Frank.

DLP Planning and architect Yoop advise the Croydon-based applicant.

Currently vacant, the office space as it stands offers 21,520 sq ft. Planning officers said that “while the proposal would result in the loss of preferred office provision, educational uses are acceptable in principle in the area and preferred uses would remain dominant in the area overall”.

Fairfield is a private provider of higher education founded in 2006, specialkising in business management and health and social care courses.

In a statement of need submitted to the local authority, it said: “We offer an open and inclusive education experience, free from barriers to learning, to learners of all levels and backgrounds The need for additional educational premises is an essential priority.

“The Fountain Precinct location is ideal in terms of providing facilities for the local community whilst providing an environmentally friendly working environment. We feel this will provide our learners with a feeling of being valued and promote an atmosphere of high aspirations thus benefiting the local communities and employers. The location of Fountain Precinct would enable learners to travel by public transport from all major areas of Sheffield and minimise any additional road traffic.”

The group’s facilities in places such as Birmingham, Luton, Leicester and London all similarly benefit from good public transport, the firm said. The Sheffield site would lead to 30 jobs and would accommodate around 150 students.

The application can be viewed on Sheffield’s planning portal at 24/00492/FUL.