The long-awaited redevelopment of the former Sheffield Ski Village site at Parkwood Springs has taken a concrete step forward after Sheffield City Council agreed terms with New Zealand-based Skyline Enterprises.
What has been agreed
Under the outline proposals, Skyline Enterprises would deliver an outdoor leisure offer that initially includes a luge ride, a family playground and other experience-led attractions. The firm has also set out longer-term ambitions for a zipline and an artificial surf wave experience, though those features are described as part of future phases of development.
“Our adventure and experience brand aligns perfectly with Sheffield's renowned 'Outdoor City' ethos,”
The council is backing the project as part of a wider programme of investment in the country park, funded through a £19.4m Levelling Up government grant. Separately, £12m has already been allocated by Sheffield City Council to upgrade nearby junctions and build a new link road between Oakham Drive and Vale Road to cope with the expected increase in traffic once the attraction opens.
Background and local impact
The Parkwood Springs redevelopment has been on the council’s agenda for several years. Plans for the site date back to 2016, and the involvement of an experienced operator is being presented as the missing piece that could finally deliver an operational scheme. For residents, the project promises new visitor amenities and potential economic benefits; for the council it represents a visible use of Levelling Up money to boost local facilities.
Local impacts likely to be felt include:
- Changes to traffic patterns and increased visitor numbers once open, prompting the council’s road improvements.
- New leisure jobs during construction and operation phases, supplied by the private operator.
- Greater footfall in nearby communities that may support small businesses and services.
Funding and transport works
The project’s capital funding sits within the council’s Levelling Up allocation for the country park, while the council itself has committed monies specifically for highways work to improve access. The road scheme — linking Oakham Drive with Vale Road — has been budgeted at £12m and is intended to relieve pressure on local junctions and make the site more accessible to visitors.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Levelling Up grant (Parkwood Springs investment) | £19.4m |
| Council highways allocation (new road and junction upgrades) | £12m |
Next steps
Council leaders and the developer will now work through detailed planning, design and delivery arrangements. The council has described the partnership with Skyline Enterprises as providing an experienced project team to take the scheme forward.
While the developer has signalled ambitions for additional attractions, those elements are presented as longer-term options and will be subject to further business case work, planning permissions and funding arrangements. For now, work will focus on the initial attractions and the enabling transport improvements the council has already funded.
The deal marks a key moment for a site that has proved difficult to bring forward in the past. For residents living around Parkwood Springs, the promise is of new facilities set within the city’s established outdoor leisure offer — though the timing and exact scale of delivery remain to be determined as the plan moves through its next stages.
