Sheffield developer calms fears over huge gateway installed on green belt housing plot in Lodge Moor
A developer has sought to calm fears after a huge gateway was installed on a green belt field in Sheffield earmarked for housing.
Residents raised concerns after a double gate and hardstanding were built on Lodge Moor Road.
A 22-acre plot between Lodge Moor Road and Redmires Conduit is earmarked for 258 homes by Sheffield City Council.
On a local Facebook group, one member said: “Although this site has been identified for housing in the draft Local Plan, the plan hasn't been approved, planning permission for the site hasn't been applied for, and it would seem rather premature to be building an entrance when they don't even know where it's going to be.”
The land is owned by Sheffield developer Ackroyd and Abbott.
Director Robert Rusling said the new gateway was needed to accommodate the large size of modern agricultural machinery and had “no relation to any potential housing.”
But it was the firm’s intention to eventually build on the plot.
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He said: “Sheffield is crying out for houses and we have no shame in providing them.”
Building could begin with two years of the Local Plan being agreed, he added.
Sheffield City Council is proposing 3,500 homes on 14 green belt sites in a blueprint for development called the Local Plan. It says all brownfield plots have been spoken for.
Mr Rusling said 40 per cent of the new estate would be affordable housing, either for rent or shared equity.
The development would include enhancements to the Conduit path and “a lot of improvements,” he added.