New details revealed of £300 million Meadowhall extension plans

British Land has released new details of how the revamp of the centre will shape up and held two consultation events this week.

They include a 330,000 sq ft multi-level extension housed under an elegant glazed roof, extra dining and entertainment options, new internal and external spaces for events and community use.

New restaurants, a state-of-the-art cinema to replace the existing cinema in the Oasis, a new café court, gym, bowling alley, and extra leisure space are planned, as well as an open-air roof terrace.

A spokeswoman for Meadowhall said British Land had been “refining the scheme over the summer including sustainability and landscape enhancements”.

Improving accessibility and parking at Meadowhall also forms part of the scheme, with proposals for high-tech electronic signs to show car park space availability, electric car charging points, pedestrian walkways, cycle parking and a cycle lane linking through to Meadowhall Way.  

British Land has confirmed no parking spaces will be lost as a new multi-storey car park will be built.

Further information has also been revealed regarding the proposals' focus on sustainability.  

The new cinema will have solar panels on its roof to reduce carbon emissions and will be a source for at least ten per cent of the Leisure Hall’s energy consumption. 

There will also be a number of areas of new planting to  help reduce air pollution and aid bio-diversity, which will receive a further boost from the new multi-storey car park's “green walls”.  

These will consist of a range of climbing plants that will be grown at nurseries in the local area in advance.

Around 540 construction jobs will be created and up to 1,400 at the shopping centre when the extension is complete, the spokeswoman said.

Employment opportunities will be promoted locally through Meadowhall's recruitment and training facility, The Source.

Darren Pearce, Centre Director for Meadowhall said: “The reception to the Leisure Hall proposals has been very positive.  

“Our customers and existing retailers alike recognise that Meadowhall needs to modernise to stay fit for the 21st century, and they are excited about what we are proposing.  

“The Leisure Hall will add something different to what Meadowhall currently provides, creating even more choice for our visitors. 

“The scale and nature of the extension will also reaffirm Meadowhall's position as a great asset for the Sheffield City Region, alongside a city centre that is also growing in strength.

"The extension means more jobs and, like the £60 million refurbishment that is currently underway, will provide opportunities for local companies to play a part in Meadowhall's future.”

If the proposals are approved, British Land hopes to start work on site during 2018 and open the Leisure Hall to visitors in late 2020/early 2021.