Sheffield tower completion in doubt following cladding row

The completion of a 32-storey tower in Sheffield is in danger following a row over changes to the building’s design.

Construction of the concrete core of St Paul’s Tower may go no further than the existing 27th floor, after the local council refused to agree to changes to cladding.

Architects Conrad and Partners had applied to change the proposed sleek glass cladding to coloured panels to cut costs.

But the council refused for fear of “allowing corners to be cut” in the regeneration of the city.

Developer City Lofts is now at loggerheads with the council and is yet to decide a way forward for the building.

Project bosses have warned the council it risks losing potential investors because of its handling of the situation, which the council has fired back at.

Council leader Paul Scriven said: “Sheffield is most certainly open for business. The original City Lofts scheme remains approved. The Council has worked tirelessly to try and find a solution with the developers.

“I am extremely disappointed that City Lofts has chosen to play this out through the media rather than try and work with us to find a solution.”

The scheme’s future remains in doubt.