Sheffield Reform calls on all parties' support as they push against controversial green belt housing plans
Their plea comes after the latest planning inspectorate report
Reform councillors have claimed that a Planning Inspectorate report has “swept under the carpet” concerns around Sheffield’s green belt housing plan.
The party is calling on support from councillors across the political spectrum after the Planning Inspectorate raised a number of questions over Sheffield City Council’s Local Plan, which will see 3,529 houses and 130 acres of business parks built across 14 green belt sites.
Following a consultation earlier this year, the Planning Inspectorate raised nine questions or requests related to the council’s plans, including nots about transport routes and considerations of alternate sites.
Sheffield City Council are now expected to provide responses to these matters, with potential for another public consultation afterwards.
However, Stocksbridge councillor John Booker has now claimed that the report “ignores” campaigners concerns.
He went on to say: “The whole consultation process has swept under the carpet the very real concerns expressed by hundreds of local residents about Sheffield’s Green Belt being eroded.
“Why let local people build up their hopes that this consultation would make a difference if the Planning Inspectorate just ignores the points being made?”
The Planning Inspectorate is a national government organisation that is called in to review local plans and suggest amendments that help keep them legally sound.
While development on the green belt continues to remain a controversial issue locally, the inspectorate’s report - released on Friday June 12 - was intended to ensure consultees get answers to specific points of concern, rather than outright dismiss the project.
In this latest report, they have asked the council to provide more clarity on some elements of the plan, including designated habitats for wildlife and the percentage of affordable housing.
They also raise questions about the timescale for Historic England’s decision on the listed status of the old bridge at Highfield Lane.
Former chair of the Upper Don Action Group, coun John Hesketh, who is now leader of Sheffield Reform councillors group added: “Save the green belt groups have sprung up over the city since the council announced last year that it planned to take 14 sites out of green belt protection, meaning these lovely sites would be built upon.
“The most prominent of these action groups, Sheffield Green Belt Alliance, has moved heaven and earth to present sensible and thoroughly researched arguments against removing the 14 sites from Sheffield’s green belt.
“The Planning Inspectorate’s recent report is a slap in the face of all the hard work this alliance has undertaken. To be honest, the consultation feels like a whitewash.
“Why raise local residents’ hopes?”
The Reform party have called on support to help tackle the current green belt plans.
Coun Booked added: “[Reform] will vote against moves to remove any site from Sheffield’s Green Belt and called for other parties to support Reform’s opposition when the matter is finally decided at a key meeting of the full Sheffield City Council this autumn.”