A former journalism training centre could be demolished with 85 flats built on the site.

A proposal has been put forward to transform Minalloy House, which was the former home of the University of Sheffield’s journalism faculty, into a new eight-storey building.

Applicant Hostombe Group Ltd has now applied to Sheffield City Council for the green light to proceed with the scheme – which would see a variety of studio, one bedroom and two bedroom flats built on the site.

The existing building, on Regent Street in the city, pictured below, dates back to the 1960s but is no longer used by the university.

A design, access and sustainability statement submitted to the council reads: “The university deemed the building unsuitable for its requirements and has therefore relocated to alternative premises.

“The building would be in need of significant repair and refurbishment if a similar tenant was to be sought.

“Commercial advice is that, in the forseeable future, it is unlikely that a cost effective scheme of refurbishment, or indeed a suitable tenant, will be achievable primarily due to the fact that the building currently does not have grade level pedestrian access.”

It adds: “None of its street frontages are on retail spines and therefore additional commercial uses at street level would not be viable.

“It is therefore the intention of the applicant to redevelop the site to create lettable apartments, to make the property commercially viable in the future.”

A consultation on the proposal runs until 25 March, with a decision set to be made in June.

An artist’s impression of the planned development