£50m lorry depot near J34 in Sheffield '˜needs no environment study'

A 48-acre lorry depot next to Junction 34 of the M1 in Sheffield would not have a significant impact on the environment, it has been claimed.
48-acre former Outokumpu site bought by Peel Logistics Properties in May 201748-acre former Outokumpu site bought by Peel Logistics Properties in May 2017
48-acre former Outokumpu site bought by Peel Logistics Properties in May 2017

Peel Logistics’ £50m redevelopment of the former Outokumpu site off Shepcote Lane would include measures to limit the impact on air quality, congestion and noise.

A report by agents Knight Frank says it would include electric car charging points, secure bicycle parking and all operators would sign up to an ‘Eco Stars’ scheme.

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It concludes that an ‘environmental impact assessment is not required’ before the scheme can be approved.

Peel Logistics says the business park would create thousands of jobs and generate ‘many millions of pounds’ of investment for Sheffield.

It plans to start by obtaining permission for two industrial units next to Greasbro Road, Sheffield, at the northern tip of the site adjacent to Junction 34. It would then seek permission for several more.

The area is a congestion and air quality hot spot with several major schemes in the pipeline. Sheffield City Council has launched a £1.4m study into the problems.

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Peel hired Knight Frank to argue there would be ‘no significantly detrimental or cumulative impacts upon the environment’ due to mitigation measures.

In a letter to the city council Knight Frank states: ‘While we acknowledge the site is in a locality where air quality is poor, appropriate mitigation measures will be put in place to minimise the impacts of development in this regard’.

As well as electric car charging points, it says a travel plan will be implemented. Barriers will block the noise of lorries affecting nearby homes. And there will be three routes into the site to cut congestion.

A £60m IKEA is set to open on nearby Sheffield Road in July. To obtain planning approval, the firm paid for improvement work on Junction 34.

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The Knight Frank letter adds: ‘Notwithstanding this, it is evident that Junction 34 South would be operating at capacity in the future and therefore detailed consideration of the impact of the proposals on the junction is required, including potential mitigation works’.

The congestion study is being run by Leeds-based consultants WSP.

It will also look at whether new roads are needed between Sheffield and Rotherham which avoid junctions 33 and 34 altogether.

Other major projects in the area that could add to traffic problems include the Olympic Legacy Park and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District between Catcliffe and Tinsley.

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