Kelham Island, once a flourishing industrial area in Sheffield, had to deal with abandonment and anti-social behaviour are a consequence of industrial decline in the middle of the 20th-century. Through a long-term development plan the area has been transformed into a modern mixed use neighbourhood where there is still space for small scale industrial activities. Public and private stakeholders, as well as the local community, have cooperated to realise this. In 2019, Kelham Island was awarded with the Great Neighbourhood Award by The Academy of Urbanism.
Dating back to the 12th century, Kelham Island is one of Sheffield’s oldest manufacturing sites. It was once a flourishing industrial area, where silk and cotton mills, as well as the city’s world-renowned steel works operated from. Following the industrial decline from the middle of the 20th-century, many industrial buildings became abandoned and the area gradually fell into despair. There were increasing safety issues related to criminal activities and anti-social behaviour. The City Council started attempts to conserve and develop the area from the early 1980s, making it one of the first industrial conservation areas. In those years, the Kelham Island Industrial Museum was established in a former power station. [1;2;3]
From 2008, with the development of the Kelham Neepsend Action Plan, the council recognised the need to further develop the area in order to sustain and enhance Sheffield’s economic and social future. Through a 10-year action plan, extensive regeneration took place in the area. Listed building have been renovated. Some new buildings have been incorporated with the old, all the while maintaining the industrial character of the area. Old factories and warehouses have been converted into spaces for galleries and innovative businesses, as well as apartments for students and professionals. A significant part of the neighbourhood is still zoned for industrial and ancillary uses. This has enabled the retention of small scale manufacturing industries and crafts. It has also provided opportunities to develop noisier cultural and creative industries. [1;2;3]
An example of one of the developments that has taken place is ‘Little Kelham’ – sitting at the heart of Kelham Island. Partnering with Historic England, Citu – the developer of the project, aimed to restore a former mill. This has been integrated with new builds to create a mixed-use area including houses, apartments, shops, cafes and social spaces. The latest green technology has been deployed to ensure that the buildings are low carbon and energy efficient. [3;4]
After a decade of regeneration, Kelham Island won the Great Neighbourhood Award 2019. The Academy of Urbanism specifically values the way in which distinctive industrial heritage is utilised to preserve the character of the area and integrating current economic activities with traditional ones. [2]
The initiative is led by Sheffield City Council. A range of other stakeholders are involved, such as Kelham Island Museum, the Kelham Island and Neepsend Community Alliance (KINCA), local residents and private sector businesses.
KINCA plays a significant role in the process. This charity, made up of volunteer local residents and businesses, formed in 2000. The volunteer committee have helped steer the alliance and now manages a growing number of projects designed to help make the area a better place to live and work. [1;5]
The redevelopments have taken place through investments from public, private and non-profit parties, including the City Council, private property owners, the local community and the Kelham Island Industrial Museum. The exact figure of investments remains unknown. [1]
Sheffield City Council, Kelham Island and Neepsend Action Plan 2008 – 2018, available on https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/planning-and-development/city-wide-plans-and-reports/Kelham-Island-and-Neepsend-Action-Plan.pdf, accessed on 14-09-2022
The Academy of Urbanuism (2019). Kelham Island, Sheffield. Assessment for The Great Neighbourhood Award 2019. Available on https://www.theaou.org/resources/27-kelham-island-sheffield, accessed on 14-09-2022
Hoare,C. (2019), Kelham Island: a model case study?, Teaching Geography; Sheffield Vol. 44(3), 122-124.
Innovare, Case Study: Little Kelham, available on https://www.innovaresystems.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Little-Kelham-Case-Study.pdf, accessed on 14-09-2022
Kelham Island and Neepsend Community Alliance (KINCA), organisational website, https://www.kinca.org/, accessed on 14-09-2022