It is reported that demolition work has begun on the site of a former Sheffield steelworks ahead of its redevelopment as a multi million pound shopping centre. It may be noted that the old Outokumpu works, off Manchester Road, Stocksbridge, closed down two years ago after over 80 years of producing steel.

The buildings, which cover a 15 acre site, are now being dismantled, including the factory's 100 feet high furnace tower. Plans were approved by Sheffield Council in June 2009 for the new GBP 46 million development at the site, with proposals for a food superstore, shops, offices, a health centre and leisure facilities. The works were handed over to demolition firm Ron Hull last month, and following preparation work, the former mills and workshops are now being torn down.

The project is expected to take around 12 weeks. Nearly all the materials recovered from the site will be recycled steel, iron and other metals from the structures will be processed before being sold on to other steelworks.

Mr Martin Wall operations director at Ron Hull said that "From our point of view the operation is relatively straightforward. All of the steel making machinery and equipment has now been removed from the buildings after being bought by firms around the world, so we're dealing with empty shells. The site does have important gas and electricity supplies running through, not to mention a high pressure water main, but that's nothing we're not used to dealing with and we are not anticipating any problems."

Plans to invest GBP 6 million into the Stocksbridge works were cancelled in December 2005 and the factory closed in March 2008 with the loss of 130 jobs.

(Sourced from www.thestar.co.uk)