Tourist wheel approved for city

Similar wheels in York and Manchester have been a success, the report states

A giant wheel will be sited in Sheffield from next month after councillors gave the go-ahead to plans.

Proposals have been drawn up for a temporary 174ft (52m) high observation wheel to be located in Fargate.

The wheel, similar to those in London, Manchester and York, will include 42 gondolas, each capable of carrying up to eight people.

Councillors have approved plans for the wheel which will remain on site until January 2010.

Some businesses had objected to the plans, including a Republic store which said it would obstruct the view of the store frontage and could reduce passing trade by as a much as 50%.

But a report put before the council's planning board said: "Similar observation wheels have been located in several cities worldwide and locations nationally include London, Manchester and York.

"The presence of these structures in these locations is widely regarded as a success in terms of attracting increased visitors to centres and adding to their vitality and viability."