Plan for 320 homes on former Sheffield paper mill site moves forward

Outline planning permission is being recommended for the demolition of existing buildings on the site of Oughtibridge Mill.

It is hoped up to 320 new properties could eventually created on the site, following the mill closing in 2014.

A report to a meeting of Sheffield Council’s planning committee next week has recommended permission is granted to knock down existing buildings on the site to allow the housing development to be built.

Developer Commercial Estates Group intend say the site ‘provides an exciting opportunity to create a high-quality residential development within a landscaped woodland and riverside setting’, while delivering new housing.

Concerns about the plans have been raised by MP Angela Smith, who said the new development could add to traffic problems on the already busy A6102, as well as putting further pressure on the ‘heavily oversubscribed’ Oughtibridge Primary School.

Objections have also been made by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England and Loxley Valley Protection Society.

But a report by Sheffield Council officers to councillors has recommended approval for the plans is granted.

It said: “The proposed development for housing would not prejudice highway safety or result in any significant problems on the local highway network.

“With careful control of the siting and layout of the units, it is considered that the development would represent an appropriate form of development that would improve the open character of the Green Belt.

“Officers are also raise no objection with regard to the loss of this employment site for housing.”