£1 million Steel Man centre approved

The heritage project will include activity and learning spaces, a shop and canteen near the planned 30-metre stainless steel figure.

Project director and sculptor Steve Mehdi said he was delighted another hurdle had been passed and the focus was now on reaching the overall £4.2 million funding total.

Steve said he expected to make a major sponsor announcement in the coming weeks.

He added: “I know people are keen to see the project under way and so are we. But large projects like this take years to put together. 

“We’re different from other big works of art because we don’t get funding from the EU or Arts Council England and we set out to fund it using people power and corporate sponsorship. 

“The support we’ve had has been amazing but its a massive undertaking and we’re still fundraising.”

The visitor centre will be built on Meadowhall Road in Kimberworth, a couple of minutes’ walk from the Steel Man, which will look out towards the M1 and Tinsley viaduct.

And the Heart of Steel sculpture, which will be inscribed with thousands of names and sit within the Steel Man, is to be unveiled in May.

A smaller version was placed in Rotherham town centre in 2015. 

Ten per cent of dedication donations for the larger one go to the British Heart Foundation.

Steve said: “I especially want to thank everyone who has donated to the Heart of Steel appeal for their support and their shared belief that, together, we are doing something special.

“Every name on the heart represents a personal story that connects with the region. We are very lucky to have this support. 

“It’s truly a grassroots project and we are proud of the sculpture’s origins in the heart of our wonderful region.”

Add your dedication for £20 at the Steel Man website.