Planning bosses to decide on Sheffield Islamic centre's football pitches hopes

The Emaan Trust of Sheffield wants to covert a plot of land around Grimesthope Road, Cyclops Street and Margate Street in Burngreave into two five-a-side pitches with five parking spaces.

Members of Sheffield Council's planning and highways committee are due to approve the application, which said the pitches would be surfaced so they could provide parking for 42 additional vehicles, at a meeting on Tuesday.

The land is opposite the £5 million mosque and Islamic centre, which is currently under construction.

The trust originally hoped to close part of Cyclops Street and create new access from Grimesthorpe Road as part of the development but amended its plans following an objection from the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive.

A report submitted to the committee by officers said a four-and-half metre high fence would surround the football pitches and a rail fence would remain in place on a plot of land between Cyclops Street and Grimesthorpe to prevent it being used for parking.

A total of 18 people have objected the plans, raising concerns that the sports facilities may lead to a rise in crime and anti-social behaviour, may lead to increase traffic in the area.

Those living near the site also raised concerns about the height of the fence and said they were worried that their properties could be damaged by footballs.

The report also said the pitches would be owned and managed by The Emaan Trust of Sheffield but would be "available for anyone to use".

In recommending the plans were approved, the report said: "It is considered that on balance the proposal would not be harmful to the character and appearance of the area and would not have an adverse impact upon neighbouring businesses.

"The proposal raises no highway safety concerns. The development would accord with UDP Policy IB6 and IB9 as well as Core Strategy Policy CS47 and so it is recommended that planning permission be granted with conditions."

The application will be discussed at a meeting of Sheffield Council's planning and highways committee on Tuesday, February 6, at Sheffield Town Hall from 2pm.