Remember the historic Highfield Cocoa and Coffee House on London Road?
Built for Frederick Thorpe Mappin as an alternative to the pub for workers and which the owner tried to demolish two years ago. Well, it’s under threat again. If you commented last time, you should get a letter telling you that the plans have changed, but you’ll need to object again now.
We’re asking all HHB members to lodge objections, which needs to be done by
Tuesday 9th September 2025
Please do this even if you commented previously – as this is a new scheme your previous comments will not apply. Comments will usually be accepted after the deadline, but this is not guaranteed.
Having had their previous two attempts to demolish this beautiful and historic building rebuffed, we believe that the developer is now offering the absolute minimum they think they can get away with: keeping part of the façade. To maximise their returns they want to swamp this remaining fragment with a huge roof extension and a six-storey tower.
We find this unacceptable because:
• Although part of the façade would remain, the character of the building will be destroyed;
• The Victorian hipped roof with its deep eaves is just as important as the façade, and its replacement with a grossly-disproportioned mansard in modern materials will be very damaging;
• It will no longer be the major landmark that it is today, but overwhelmed by the proposed 6-storey tower which adds an extra storey to the previous proposal;
• The surviving 19th century London Road streetscape of 2-3 storeys will be seriously damaged by the intrusion of a tall building in a dull modern design that in no way respects or complements it;
• The decorative and subtly-shaded 1960s mosaic which has been a feature for half of the building’s life will be pointlessly overpainted.
Mappin’s Coffee House is a simple structure which has survived well for nearly a century and a half, and conversion should be straightforward. We saw no justification for demolition, and this new proposal is both destructive and insensitive.
How to register your objection:
Click here to see the application, where you can create a login and object.
OR email planningapps@sheffield.gov.uk, quoting application reference 22/03350/FUL.
Read more about this historic building here.
HHB has submitted an objection to the Council, and you can read it here.
Leave the Mappin Coffee House alone. Sheffield Council must preserve Sheffield history. We have lost too much of our history.
Thanks for your support, it’s much appreciated.
Another attempt to destroy another piece of Sheffield’s heritage, it’s a lovely building and should be kept as is.
We agree. Thanks for supporting our efforts.