Hopkins Architects is designing a major commercial development next to Sheffield鈥檚 Meadowhall shopping centre.

The scheme, for British Land, is the first phase of the developer鈥檚 1,000-acre Lower Don Valley masterplan, drawn up by designer Urban Strategies in 2004. The site, of about 90,000ft2, is being developed speculatively but it is understood that British Land is in talks with HSBC to occupy the building.

A British Land spokesperson said: 鈥淭his is the first phase of the masterplan. We are working up proposals for a commercial scheme but there will also be industrial and mixed developments in the wider site.鈥�

Hopkins has been secretly working on the designs for over six months but the plans have been put on hold while the developer addresses the problem of flooding on the site.

June鈥檚 flooding of Meadowhall highlighted the vulnerability of the area. The shopping centre was forced to close for a week when its lower level was swamped under 4ft of water. Many shops remained closed for longer and 66 of the 274 units are still closed for refitting.

We are working on two flood defence reviews with Sheffield council

British land spokesperson

In July, British Land appointed consultants Alan Baxter & Associates and Peter Brett Associates, to review the flood defences on Lower Don Valley and the shopping centre.

British Land鈥檚 spokesperson said: 鈥淭wo flood defence reviews are taking place and we will work with Sheffield council on these.鈥�

Hopkins beat off competition from Hamiltons, Carey Jones and Make to secure the scheme.

The news came after Stephen Hester, chief executive of British Land, revealed earlier this month that the developer鈥檚 plans to sell its 75% stake in Meadowhall, valued at 拢1.65bn would be delayed until at least autumn.

Postscript

For more on the industry鈥檚 response to the floods, search