1. How much money has SCC given to Urban Splash to date, figuresannually would be fine.

Sheffield City Council (SCC) has not given any funding to Urban Splash. The project has been funded from a variety of sources, as detailed in the table below. SCC act as the accountable body for this funding, which means the money is drawn down by SCCfrom the various funding sources and Urban Splash (US) claim the funding from the City Council.

Source / Amount Approved
Homes and Communities Agency ‘gap’ funding / £14.8m
Homes and Communities Agency support for purchase of affordable units (social rented and for sale) / £10m
Transform South Yorkshire ‘gap’ funding / £5.5m
English Heritage / £0.5m
Total public sector funding investment in refurbishment scheme / £31m
Transform South Yorkshire ‘enabling ‘ funding (for the City Council’s costs of rehousing residents, re-purchasing flats and businesses, stripping out and looking after the empty buildings, demolition of ancillary buildings, staffing costs etc. / £8m
Total Public sector funding / £39M
  1. How many blocks have been demolished?

There were 31 freestanding shop units that were demolished that were located within the court yard of Phase 1 on Park Hill. I have attached a plan with my response which highlights the different Phases on Park Hill for your information.

  1. How many original residents have moved back in?

To date there are 18 original residents that have returned to a new property at Park Hill. There are 26 homes in the first redeveloped flank for social rent. The landlord for these properties is Great Places Housing Group (formerly Manchester Methodist Housing Association). The remaining 8 redeveloped properties for social rent are now being offered to residents that previously lived on Park Hill and moved due to the redevelopment proposals.

  1. How many have the option to move back in?

All residents in the last rehousing phase (phase 5 – see attached map for location) were given the opportunity to use their rehousing priority to be nominated to a new property on Park Hill. Further nominations will be given to Great Places (GP) via SCC and former residents will be given the option to be nominated first.

  1. How many of the built properties are for social rent?(council)and what are the rents?

As stated in the earlier question, there are 26 homes in the first redeveloped flank. There will be a minimum of 30 more homes in the first phase that will be available for social rent. The rent levels for each property type are;

1 bedroomed property - £73.27

2 bedroomed property - £89.66

3 bedroomed property - £103.00

  1. How much did the council sell Park Hill flats to Urban Splash for?

Park Hill was disposed of for a nominal sum. The rationale for this was agreed in the Park Hill Redevelopment Cabinet report submitted in October 2005. A copy of this is available on the SCC website.

  1. How far behind target are Urban splash?

Timescales are kept under constant review. The housing market has a major impact on the delivery of any house building scheme. The timescales for Park Hill have altered in response to the global economic recession. However, any changes to the timetable must be agreed by all partners.

  1. How many properties have Urban Splash sold so far? As the council is a partner, I believe we have the right to know?

This information has been published and is available on the US website. As at 14th February 2013 24 homes have been sold on the open market this is in addition to the 26 that have been sold to Great Places for social rent.

  1. How much has the council projected they will financially support Urban Splash with for the next 10 years?

SCC will not financially contribute to the redevelopment of Phase 1 at Park Hill.

  1. How much have Urban Splash invested in regeneration in Sheffield?

We do not have this information please contact US directly.

  1. How much has the council spent on security for this privatedevelopment?

SCC has not spent any money on security for Phase 1 at Park Hill. The is the only part of the building that is being Leased by US and any security costs for this part of the building will be paid by US.

  1. Why is this council helping with the costs of this private development?

As already explained in response to some of your other questions SCC will not financially contribute to the redevelopment.

  1. Are there any supposed financial benefits to the council from this scheme which were projected at the beginning? Have been watereddown and are current.

The financial benefits identified by SCC were set out in the Park Hill Redevelopment Cabinet report dated October 2005. The private/public sector partnership will bring in around £130 – £135m private sector and £39m public sector funding into Sheffield at no additional cost to the City Council and provide a sustainable living complex. The vision for Park Hill is to deliver a sustainable future for an estate which was in need of considerable investment in order to meet the Decent Home standard which was set by the Government in the late 1990’s.

  1. Why is the council actively facilitating a greater lack of transparency with regard to Sheffield Tax Payers money in relationto this 'neon elephant' scheme?

I can not comment on what is clearly your own personal view. However all decisions relating to Park Hill are carried out in accordance with the Cabinet authorities as set out in the various Cabinet reports, all of which are available on the SCC website.

  1. Please give a copy of the contractual agreement between Urban Splash and SCC in relation to Park Hill flats.

SCC has agreed to not disclose any confidential information belonging to the developer without the prior written consent of the developer. We have asked US for their permission to disclosure the Development Agreement but this has not been granted.