Sheffield Development Corporation
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox Organization
|name = Sheffield Development Corporation
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|formation = 1988
|dissolved = 1997
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|headquarters = Sheffield
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|language = English
|leader_title = Chair
|leader_name = Hugh Sykes
|key_people = Lord Fred Mulley, Deputy Chairman
Norman Adsetts, Deputy Chairman
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The Sheffield Development Corporation (SDC) was created in 1988 to oversee the urban regeneration of the Lower Don Valley area of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.
History
The area had been the major industrial region of Sheffield but had gone into decline since the 1960s. Huge parts of it were derelict and the city as a whole was suffering from large unemployment.{{cite web|title=House of Commons Hansard Debates for 18 July 1996|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199596/cmhansrd/vo960718/debtext/60718-29.htm|publisher=Office of Public Sector Information|accessdate=24 March 2008}} The Corporation was established in 1988 and, in common with other development corporations, it was the planning authority for the area during its existence.{{cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1988/Uksi_19881146_en_1.htm|title=The Sheffield Development Corporation (Area and Constitution) Order 1988|publisher=UK Government|access-date=16 January 2025}}
The most significant development during its time was the Meadowhall Centre, which was Europe's largest shopping centre when it was built in 1991.{{cite journal |url=http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/viewContentItem.do;jsessionid=87274AF3C9F4A26F6E0D56AB1259B437?contentType=Article&hdAction=lnkpdf&contentId=856982 |journal=International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management |doi=10.1108/EUM0000000002940 |publisher=Emeraldinsight.com |date=31 December 1991 |access-date=18 November 2012|title=Meadowhall: Its Impact on Sheffield City Centre and Rotherham |last1=Williams |first1=Jeremy J. |volume=19 }} It also brought the Abbey National call centre to the area along with several call centres.{{cite news|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/uk-news/ex-call-centre-to-be-turned-into-police-hq-1928142|title=Ex-call centre to be turned into police HQ|date=5 July 2011|newspaper=Yorkshire Post| access-date=16 January 2025}} Sheffield City Airport was also built during this time but proceeded to close in 2008.{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/sheffield-retro-24-fascinating-photos-looking-back-at-sheffield-city-airport-which-was-sold-for-ps1-4105209|title=Sheffield retro: 24 fascinating photos looking back at Sheffield City Airport, which was sold for £1|date=16 April 2023|newspaper=The Star| access-date=16 January 2025}} The Victoria Quays at the end of the Don Valley Navigation also received a large investment. There was also due to be a four lane link road from junction 34 of the M1 at Meadowhall to the city centre. This was abandoned for a more modest improvement of the local roads when the early 1990s recession struck. In the end a total of {{convert|9|mi|km}} of road was improved.{{cite web|url=https://c.coek.info/pdf-transport-investment-and-regeneration-sheffield-19921997-.html|title=Transport investment and regeneration. Sheffield: 1992–1997 |page=125|publisher=Sheffield Hallam University|first1=G. |last1=Dabinett|first2= T. |last2=Gore|first3= R.|last3= Haywood|first4= P.|last4= Lawless|year=1999|access-date=16 January 2025}}
During its existence it invested £101 million of government money and £7.5 million from the European Union. This was supported by £680 million of private investment. It reclaimed {{convert|600|acres|km2}} of land and created over {{convert|5000000|sqft}} of commercial floor space. It also created 18,000 new jobs. It also regenerated the local landscape with 160,000 trees and shrubs and renovated the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation.{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199697/ldhansrd/vo970206/text/70206-06.htm |title=Sheffield Development Corporation (Area and Constitution) Order 1997 |date=6 January 1997 |publisher=House of Lords Debates|access-date=16 January 2025}}
In 1989 there was accusations that the chairman was using his authority for personal financial gain. Although he was never found to be doing anything improper or asked to step down, he did have business interests within the region. He was also a non-executive chairman of a company who invested in regeneration projects in Sheffield.{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm198990/cmhansrd/1990-10-15/Writtens-2.html |title=Hansard Debates|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031128193647/http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm198990/cmhansrd/1990-10-15/Writtens-2.html |archive-date=28 November 2003}}
It was wound down in 1997 with development operations ceasing on 1 April 1997 and dissolved on 1 July 1997.{{Cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/1091/contents/made|title=The Sheffield Development Corporation (Dissolution) Order 1997|website=www.legislation.gov.uk|access-date=28 August 2018}}
The land continued to be developed after the dissolution of the SDC. A further 6,000 jobs were already due to be created and £124 million was pledged to redevelopment of Sheffield by the government over the next 7 years.{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199697/cmhansrd/vo970220/text/70220w05.htm |title=Sheffield Development Corporation|publisher=Hansard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070524202622/http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199697/cmhansrd/vo970220/text/70220w05.htm |archive-date=24 May 2007}} Since 1997 the lower Don Valley has also seen further investment due to its links. Valley Centertainment, including one of the country's largest cinema complexes, has also been built since 1997. In May 2005 Sheffield City Council announced a £1 billion investment scheme for the Attercliffe area taking 20 years to complete.{{Cite web|url=http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1084&ArticleID=1015901|title= £1bn makeover planned for rundown zone in city|newspaper=Yorkshire Post Today|date=4 May 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050829230751/http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1084&ArticleID=1015901|archive-date=29 August 2005}}