Set high in the North Pennines, Epiacum Roman Fort — or Whitley Castle — is one of the most striking and best-preserved Roman sites in…
Read more
Sheffield City Council has appointed Crosby Granger Architects to join the wider design team for the Castle Site, a key part of the city’s historic centre.
Crosby Granger Architects will produce a suite of heritage documents to support the eventual discharge of planning conditions and a new Listed Building Consent (LBC) application. The historic Castle Site, originally the heart of Sheffield and home to Sheffield Castle (demolished in 1648–49), was later built over as the town expanded. In the 20th century, the area became the site of the Castle Markets, which have since been demolished. Once a thriving commercial hub, the Castle Site has lost its identity and purpose.
This project aims to re-establish the Castle Site as a pivotal part of the city centre. Plans include partially de-culverting the River Sheaf, creating green spaces and public realms, and preparing the land for future development. Temporary or ‘meanwhile uses’ will activate plots and promote healthy lifestyles.
Crosby Granger Architects will provide technical advice and specifications for works to the listed structures required for the LBC application. They will also support the design team in developing proposals and specifications, ensuring that conservation-sensitive practices guide the development. Their work includes producing key heritage documents—a Heritage Statement (HS), Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), and Conservation Management Plan (CMP)—and offering conservation-architect support through RIBA Stage 3.
The Sheffield Castle site is located at the confluence of the River Don and River Sheaf, about half a kilometr northeast of Sheffield city centre in an area known as Castlegate. Two castles were built on the site: the first, a motte-and-bailey structure, likely constructed by William de Lovetot in the early-to-mid 12th century, was destroyed during the Second Barons’ War in 1266. In 1270, Thomas de Furnival obtained a Royal Charter to construct a substantial masonry castle with a moat and ramparts. This castle stood for nearly 400 years before falling to Parliamentarian forces during the English Civil War. It was demolished in 1649.
Little remains of de Furnival’s castle today, with small sections first identified during archaeological investigations in the late 1920s.
The Castle Site is of significant importance to Sheffield City Centre and has been the focus of extensive stakeholder engagement. Sheffield City Council has consulted with numerous groups, including the Environment Agency, Don Catchment Rivers Trust, Wild Trout Trust, Blue Loop Trust, Trout in the Town, Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust, Sheffield Waterways Strategy Group, Sheffield River Stewardship Company, Sheffield and District African Caribbean Community Association (SADACCA), the University of Sheffield, Friends of the Old Town Hall, and Friends of Sheffield Castle, among others.
As part of our ongoing feasibility work for the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership CIC, we’ve been exploring a range of potential approaches to improving accessibility through Hincaster Tunnel 🏗️
These early options focus on how level access might be achieved while respecting the tunnel’s historic fabric and unique character - current ideas under review include options such as a boardwalk and a `Roman road`.
These ideas form part of an early-stage assessment, intended to help understand what might be possible in the future. Further structural investigation will be essential to determine how any intervention could be delivered without compromising the historic tunnel.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue the exploratory work and supporting the long-term ambitions for the @towpath_trail 🌿
#Architecture #Lancaster #LancasterCanalTowpathTrail
Dec 1
We`ve been appointed by the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership CIC to explore the next steps in improving accessibility along the Lancaster Canal @towpath_trail 🍃
Our role is to prepare a feasibility study focused on the future potential of Hincaster Tunnel - a 346m Grade II listed structure and one of the canal’s most significant heritage assets.
The study will consider:
👉 How level access might be achieved
👉 How the tunnel’s historic character can be better revealed
👉 How this remarkable structure could become a true `jewel in the crown` of the Towpath Trail
This work builds on ongoing investment along the 28-mile route, including earlier upgrades near Stainton supported by Sport England, and more recent funding through the Rural Shared Prosperity Fund to continue improvements toward Holme.
We look forward to helping shape the possibilities for this much-loved route, celebrating the heritage of the important historic site while exploring ways it could become more accessible for everyone 🙌
#Architecture #Lancaster #LancasterCanalTowpathTrail
Nov 28
Located within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Thwaite Farm is a working farm with a collection of traditional buildings steeped in rural character. We were commissioned to oversee the careful repair and conservation of the Grade II listed barn complex, ensuring its continued use and longevity within the landscape 🌿🚜
A detailed inspection and structural appraisal identified long-term issues including water ingress, timber decay, and structural deformation. The repair strategy focused on sensitive conservation, undoing unsympathetic past alterations and reinstating traditional craftsmanship throughout.
The barns were re-roofed using locally sourced Burlington Blue Strong slates, traditionally laid in random widths and diminishing courses to match the original vernacular form. Air-dried oak was used for replacing structural timbers, each jointed by hand to mirror historic techniques.
This project exemplifies a balanced approach to heritage and function - preserving the integrity of traditional rural architecture while supporting the ongoing life of a working farm 🌾
#HeritageConservation #Architecture #HeritageArchitecture #YorkshireDales
Nov 24
Set high in the North Pennines, Epiacum Roman Fort — or Whitley Castle — is one of the most striking and best-preserved Roman sites in…
Read more
We are delighted to announce our Whole Estate Plan for the Higham Estate has been Endorsed by the Lake District National Park Authority at their…
Read more
Yesterday, we were delighted to welcome Year 12 Product Design students to Crosby Granger Architects HQ for an inspiring insight into the world of architecture….
Read more