Campaigners withdraw from review of Sheffield's Owlthorpe Fields planning inquiry

Despite this, Owlthorpe Fields Action Group said it will not give up the fight.

Sheffield Council refused controversial housing plans at Moorthorpe Way, Crystal Peaks, in a meeting last year.

Developers Avant Homes then successfully appealed, reversing the council’s decision.

The action group aimed to take the fight to a statutory review of the appeal but has now withdrawn with “deep regret”.

In an open letter, it said: “We are not giving up the fight. We hold our heads high knowing we do the right thing. In light of the catastrophic loss of biodiversity and climate change we have the moral high ground, and it behoves us to continue our fight. This is not just about Owlthorpe Fields, but a reflection of all life under threat on our planet. Even now at this late stage, we ask Avant Homes to recognise the harm they will bring if they proceed and invite them to think again, and draw back.”

It went on to say it was a “big ask” for the community to raise the £50,000 needed in just six weeks and in the midst of Covid-19.

It added: “As Committee Members of OAG we risked becoming personally liable for thousands of pounds we simply couldn’t afford. We are working with Crowd Justice to have any remaining monies put towards community projects in our area.

“Since the start of our campaign there have been a few residents who expressed the view that we were wasting our time, that money talks and that the developers would get their way. We are not naive – we understood from the beginning that the odds were stacked against us, but felt it was time to take a stand and fight for what is morally right. The community cherish Owlthorpe Fields – they have watched nature flourish and a rich biodiversity take hold. They also recognise the physical and mental wellbeing it affords.”

The group said there are at least 850 species of wildlife recorded in the area including rare butterflies, bats, hundreds of wildflowers and listed birds.

Going forward, it had this message to Sheffield Council: “We challenge you, Sheffield City Council, in the face of climate change and the biodiversity crisis, and mindful of the council’s declaration of a climate emergency, to immediately withdraw Sites C and D of Owlthorpe Fields from the existing Unitary Development Plan and the new Local Plan, and work with Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust and our community to manage these Sites as a Local Wildlife Site and Wildlife Corridor.”

Councillor Douglas Johnson who supported campaigners, said: “I’ve offered my congratulations and thanks to the Owlthorpe campaign. They may have lost out to the huge resources of the building industry this time but their fight will not have been in vain. Their actions will inspire others to campaign to protect other pieces of green land. Developers will know they cannot destroy much loved habitats without a fight.”