Built about 1713 for William Taylor, mercer and Town Trustee, Norwood was from 1775 to 1915 the home of the lawyer James Wheat and of his descendants, who added Victorian wings. As Bishopsholme. the house was from 1918 to 1959 the residence of Leonard Hesley Burrows, first Bishop of Sheffield. The City Council then bought it and used it as a social-care hostel. In 1952 it was listed as a building of special architectural or historic interest because of its structurally intact Queen Anne core. In 1968 it was left empty, and lead-theives did much damage. Following a public inquiry in 1970, the government forbade complete demolition: it found that restoration of the core's exterior was perfectly possibly, and enough of the original remained to ensure that was neither a copy nor a fake ; that there should be no great difficulty in converting its interior for office, residential or recreational use: and that the cost would not be too high in relation to the value of the building as a unique example in the area of a brick Queen Anne house; the grounds could still be developed, but so as to leave it as a feature in an appropriate open setting providing an object of beauty and distinction . In 1972 the Council applied again for permission to demolish Norwood. (Copied from a card sold in aid of Hallamshire Historic Buildings Society ) On Saturday, 5th June 1976 very early in the morning bulldozers commenced to demolish the building. The City Council stated afterwards that this had been necessary on the grounds of public safety. ( Old Sheffield Town J. E. Vickers Ref. 942.7 S)