Devonshire Green

Last updated

Devonshire Green Devonshire Green 4.jpg
Devonshire Green
The skatepark at the Green Devonshire Green 2.jpg
The skatepark at the Green

Devonshire Green is a small public open space at 53°22′44″N1°28′42″W / 53.3789°N 1.4783°W / 53.3789; -1.4783 within Sheffield city centre in South Yorkshire, England. It covers an area of approximately 9000 square metres and is designated as a district park by Sheffield City Council. It stands in the Devonshire Quarter of the city centre, bordered on its four sides by Devonshire Street, Fitzwilliam Street, Eldon Street and Wellington Street. It is the only large green space in the city centre.

Contents

History

Prior to World War II the area which is now Devonshire Green was a neighbourhood of housing and small firms. This area had originally been built in the first half of the 19th century on land belonging to William FitzWilliam, the 4th Earl FitzWilliam of Wentworth Woodhouse, who was the local lord of the manor. [1] [2]

The Devonshire Green area of Sheffield was heavily bombed in the Sheffield Blitz of December 1940 with the thoroughfares of Chester Street, Devonshire Lane and the upper part of Broomhall Street being badly damaged and left as a bomb site. [3] After the war the site was cleared and remained as an undeveloped area, eventually serving as a temporary car parking area for the city centre. In 1981 Devonshire Green was created as a public green area with seating and pedestrian footpaths crossing it, it was officially dedicated to those who died in the Blitz of 1940. In the 1990s a floodlit skatepark was built on the southern part of the Green for skateboarders and BMX bikers. By the early part of the 21st century the Green was looking rundown and needed a facelift with large flocks of pigeons gathering in the area. The building of much new property around the Green prompted the creation of the Devonshire Quarter Action Plan which urged investment for the benefit of new residents. [4]

Modern renovation

On 29 January 2007, Sheffield City Council announced plans to upgrade Devonshire Green. The £1.6 million project was designed by the City Council's Regeneration Projects Design Team and funded by building developers who had built housing developments in the West Street area such as West One which faces onto Devonshire Green. The redevelopment included the complete relaying of all the turfed areas and the planting of 340 square metres of high-quality flower beds which contain more than 23,000 bulbs and 22 semi-mature trees. Sculptured "sitting walls" were created to provide 184 metres of seating and enclosure for the planting beds which line the boulevards which have improved lighting. A terraced grass amphitheatre space was also created which can be used for events and festivals. The skatepark remained open during the redevelopment which was carried out by the contractors Wrekin Construction and the revamped park was reopened in Spring 2008. [5] [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alhambra Shopping Centre</span> Shopping mall in Barnsley

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southey, South Yorkshire</span> Electoral ward in the City of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City ward, Sheffield</span> Electoral ward in the City of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle Market</span>

Castle Market was an indoor market in Sheffield city centre, England. The building lay in the north-east of the present city centre, by the River Don, and was built on top of the remains of Sheffield Castle, which could still be seen via guided tours. The market closed in 2013 when the Moor Market opened on The Moor, further south in Sheffield city centre, and demolition began in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fargate</span>

Fargate is a pedestrian precinct and shopping area in Sheffield, England. It runs between Barker's Pool and High Street opposite the cathedral. It was pedestrianised in 1973. Fargate also holds a Continental Market approximately 4 times a year, which includes European stalls selling cheeses, confectionery, clothing, plants and crafts including jewellery and ornaments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devonshire Quarter</span>

The Devonshire Quarter is an area in the centre of Sheffield, England. Its heart is the Division Street and Devonshire Street shopping areas, known for their small independent shops and variety of pubs and bars. The district also has The Forum shopping centre and Devonshire Green, one of the largest open areas in central Sheffield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fitzalan Square</span>

Fitzalan Square is a municipal square situated in the city centre of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. The present day square is one of the busiest areas of the city centre, with traffic and pedestrians continually moving through the area. It has a Sheffield Supertram stop and a taxi rank.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheaf Square</span>

Sheaf Square is a municipal square lying immediately east of the city centre of Sheffield, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheffield City Centre</span> Central business district in South Yorkshire, England

Sheffield City Centre is a district of the City of Sheffield and is covered partly by the City ward of the City of Sheffield. It includes the area that is within a radius of roughly 0.75 miles (1.2 km) of Sheffield Cathedral and is encircled by the Inner Ring Road, a circular route started in the late 1960s and completed in 2007. As well as the cathedral, buildings in the city centre include the Grade I listed Town Hall, the City Hall and the Winter Gardens. Several areas of the city centre have been designated as quarters. It is home to the city's major business, transport, leisure and cultural attractions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High Street, Sheffield</span>

High Street is one of the main thoroughfares and shopping areas in the city centre of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England, located at the approximate grid reference of SK356874. High Street starts at the Commercial Street, Fitzalan Square and Haymarket junction and runs for approximately 400 metres west to conclude near the Sheffield Cathedral where it forms a Y-junction with Fargate and Church Street. High Street has the traditional wide variety of shops, financial institutions and eating places which are associated with any British town centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tudor Square</span>

Tudor Square is a city square in the city of Sheffield, England. The square is home to the largest concentration of theatres in the UK outside London and has thus become known as Sheffield's ‘Theatre Land’. The Square lies at the heart of the city centre, only metres away from the town hall, major attractions such as the Winter Gardens and is only 5 minutes away from Sheffield railway station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Millennium Square, Sheffield</span>

Millennium Square is a modern city square in Sheffield, England. It was created as part of the Heart of the City project that began in 1998 and has become a central feature in Sheffield's redeveloped city centre. It contains fountains in the shape of steel spheres, recalling Sheffield's past as a centre of the steel making industry, whilst linking with the fountains of the Peace Gardens, as well as Sheaf Square, Hallam Square and Barkers Pool. The square forms part of the 'Gold Route', designed by Sheffield City Council to guide visitors through the city centre from Sheffield Station to Devonshire Green.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West One</span> Mixed-use development in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England

West One is a mixed-use development at the centre of the Devonshire Quarter in the city centre of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. It comprises bars, restaurants and shops at ground-level and apartments housing over 1,000 people above, including a penthouse. It faces onto Devonshire Green, and provides easy access to the Moor and Division Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Hall, Sheffield</span>

Victoria Hall is a Methodist place of worship situated on Norfolk Street in Sheffield city centre. It is the most important Methodist building in Sheffield and it is a Grade II listed building. It is a large many roomed building which stands between the side streets of Chapel Walk and George Street. Although the main entrance to the church is on Norfolk Street, there is a separate administration entrance on Chapel Walk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Matthew's Church, Sheffield</span> Anglican church in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England

St Matthew's Church, more usually known as St Matthew's Carver Street, is situated on Carver Street in the centre of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. It is a Grade II listed building located at grid reference SK351871. The church is part of the Anglo-Catholic movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redvers House</span>

Redvers House is an office block situated on Union Street in the centre of the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Longley Park</span> Public park in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England

Longley Park is a public park within the City of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. The park lies between the suburbs of Longley and Firth Park, four km north of the city centre. It covers an area of just under 52 acres and is the third largest public park in Sheffield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taylor's Eye Witness Works</span>

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anhalter Steg</span>

The Anhalter Steg is a footbridge over the Landwehr Canal between the Möckern and Schoneberg Bridges, in Kreuzberg, on the southern side of Berlin city centre. Opened in February 2001, it links the German Museum of Technology with the Hallesches Ufer. It rests on the foundations of the railway bridge leading south from the Anhalter Bahnhof, which was destroyed by bombing in World War II.

References

  1. "A History of Sheffield", David Hey, ISBN   1-85936-110-2 Page 116 Gives early history of Devonshire Green area.
  2. "Old Ordnance Survey Maps : Sheffield (West)", ISBN   0-85054-048-8 Gives history and pre war street names.
  3. "Pevsner Architectural Guides – Sheffield", Ruth Harman & John Minnis, ISBN   0-300-10585-1 Page 128 States that Devonshire Green was a bomb site after the war.
  4. Sheffield Council leaflet. Gives history and some details of Action Plan.
  5. Sheffield Star Newspaper. Gives details of renovation.
  6. Sheffield City Council. [ permanent dead link ] Gives details of renovation.

53°22′44″N1°28′42″W / 53.3789°N 1.4783°W / 53.3789; -1.4783