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People’s Plans 3: Portland Works, Knowledge Transfer Partnership
In another example of effective people's plans here are details of an innovative Knowledge Transfer Partnership being developed in Sheffield to support a threatened local economy.
Context
Portland Works is a Grade II* Listed Cutlery factory, in the John Street Conservation area in Sheffield; it has been in continual use as a site of metalwork since it was built in the 1870s. It was the first place in the world where stainless steel was manufactured and since then has been home to a variety of uses from studio for Def Leppard to workshop for a chastity belt maker.
The landlord has recently made a Planning Application to convert it into flats. As a result, the tenants, who include knife and tool makers, artists, nickel-platers, engravers, musicians, electricians, welders and furniture makers have tried to resist this and have come together to develop alternative futures for the site that would retain affordable business space and its vibrant mix of uses.
As part of this strategy, a number of tenants have now become Trustees of the Little Sheffield Development Trust, which was set up to support the adjacent Stag Works. Through working hand-in-hand with the Trust those involved feel that they will make a better exploration of their shared issues and concerns. One of the crucial aspects of this project will be how Portland Works is managed financed and owned and the implications of this in terms of the tenancies mix of uses and the retention of affordable workspace.
Project
We propose to work with the Little Sheffield Development Trust, and other relevant organisations to consolidate, share and transfer knowledge about the strategies, tools and tactics available to communities wishing to safeguard their assets. The project is concerned with helping the local community to imagine a future that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable for Portland Works, one of the outstanding examples of Sheffield’s industrial heritage.
The project will facilitate the exploration and appraisal of organisation types, business models, legal structures, ownership and management options that are available to small business communities based in industrial heritage (or historical) sites. It will also produce a resource pack that will not only document the futures planning and options appraisal processes undertaken with the Portland Works tenants, but will also provide a concise and accessible guide for other groups undergoing similar processes.
This project will aim to explore these issues with the main partner, Little Sheffield Development Trust, and a range of interested local and national organisations including Sharrow Community Forum, Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Community Development Unit (SCEDU), English Heritage, Building Preservation Trusts and Studio Polpo.
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