Sheffield City Council has approved the acquisition of a long-vacant building to support the ongoing regeneration of Stocksbridge town centre in England. For the building and architecture sector, the decision safeguards progress on a £24.1m (€28.3m) redevelopment programme intended to reshape the high street and surrounding public spaces.

The BBC reported that members of the council's finance committee agreed to pay up to £636,000 (€747,000) for 517 Manchester Road after officers warned that leaving the property vacant could "blight" the wider regeneration scheme.

The building has been empty for about eight years and its owner stated that it would be withdrawn from sale if a purchase was not completed by the end of June. Stocksbridge Towns Fund Board had planned to acquire the property directly but cannot legally do so until charitable status is granted.

Councillors heard that delays at the Charity Commission mean approvals for new charities can take up to 23 weeks rather than the usual 10 days. The council will therefore retain ownership of the property for six months before transferring it to the board.

Councillor Jack Byrom questioned the purchase, saying: "The owner has had eight years to explore redevelopment options and if it were commercially viable, it would have been done by now."

Council officer Alex Parker said: "The best case scenario is we have a charity that's working for the benefit of the community, the space is well used and it is financially solvent." He added: "If it's not successful, the building can be sold commercially, possibly at auction to make sure it gets the best value on the day."

At the same meeting, councillors approved the release of a previously delayed £705,000 (€828,000) grant to support the development of an artificial all-weather football pitch at the Stocksbridge Park Steels FC ground on Bracken Moor Lane.

Explore the full account of the Stocksbridge regeneration decision.