News from Sheffield Labour

Paul Blomfield: “Don’t turn historic Portland Works into flats!”

Paul Blomfield, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Sheffield Central, has called for a planning application proposing to turn Portland Works into flats to be rejected. Portland Works was the first place in the world to produce stainless steel and is a Grade II* listed building and is therefore in the top 10% of listed buildings in the UK. The Works are a vitally important part of Sheffield’s industrial heritage and have been in continual use since they were built in the 1870s. Today the works are home to traditional metal craftsmen and tool manufacturers who would be forced to move out if the application is approved.

Paul Blomfield said:

“Portland Works was the first place in the world to produce stainless steel and it would be tragic if it was turned into flats and ending nearly 140 years of metalwork production at the Works. I hope the planning board rejects the planning application because Portland Works is too important to lose.

“Having visited the works earlier this year I saw for myself the exceptional skills of the people working at Portland Works, such as the master knife maker. I think Portland Works should be transformed into a Heritage Working Museum which would enable these craftsmen and women to remain at Portland Works, and would protect the history and the unique industrial features of the ‘Little Mesters’ workshops. It would be a travesty if the only way to commemorate this historic building in future years was by hanging a Blue Plaque on the wall outside.

“Safeguarding Portland Works would protect manufacturing jobs and help preserve our city’s proud industrial heritage. I know my concerns are widely shared by its tenants and local residents and I hope people send in their objections to the Council.”