Campaigners carry out litter pick at ancient Sheffield woodland under threat of being turned into motorway services

Councillors, campaigners and families came out to litter pick at an ancient woodland in Sheffield which is under threat of being developed into motorway services.
By Molly Williams, Local Democracy Reporter
Published 8th Jan 2020, 11:45 BST
Updated 10th Jan 2020, 18:40 BST
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Sheffield Council is due to make a decision on whether developers will be allowed to build motorway services at Smithy Wood, in Ecclesfield.

They submitted plans to build the services off Junction 35 of the M1 in 2014. It includes a hotel, filling station, parking, dog walking area and outside picnic space.

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But a group of local residents are fighting to save the woodland, which is more than 850 years old, and have been looking after the upkeep in the meantime - on Sunday they gathered at the site to make a stand.

Dave Dickinson, Sheffield Environmental lead campaigner, pictured with group members and supporters during a litter pick at Smithy Wood. NSST-05-01-20 Smithywood Litterpick 1-NMSYDave Dickinson, Sheffield Environmental lead campaigner, pictured with group members and supporters during a litter pick at Smithy Wood. NSST-05-01-20 Smithywood Litterpick 1-NMSY
Dave Dickinson, Sheffield Environmental lead campaigner, pictured with group members and supporters during a litter pick at Smithy Wood. NSST-05-01-20 Smithywood Litterpick 1-NMSY

Dave Dickinson, of Sheffield Environmental, said: "For me the litter pick was a huge success, at least 24 people turned out following my rallying cry on our website - making it one of our largest turnouts.

"We were joined by a wide range of people from tots to pensioners, councillors, local residents and supporters from various parts of Sheffield and Rotherham.

"Everyone was there to prove to Sheffield Council, Extra MSA and St Paul's Developments that Smithy Wood is cared for and we want the opportunity to take it on as a community woodland."

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He said they spotted some issues with the area while out litter picking and that the closure of the Traveller's Pub, up the road, had contributed to more fly tipping.

Sheffield Environmental lead campaigner Dave Dickinson, pictured with l-r John Bowden, East Ecclesfield Councillor Vic Bowden and Councillor Mike Levery, West Ecclesfield ward. NSST-05-01-20 Smithywood Litterpick 7-NMSYSheffield Environmental lead campaigner Dave Dickinson, pictured with l-r John Bowden, East Ecclesfield Councillor Vic Bowden and Councillor Mike Levery, West Ecclesfield ward. NSST-05-01-20 Smithywood Litterpick 7-NMSY
Sheffield Environmental lead campaigner Dave Dickinson, pictured with l-r John Bowden, East Ecclesfield Councillor Vic Bowden and Councillor Mike Levery, West Ecclesfield ward. NSST-05-01-20 Smithywood Litterpick 7-NMSY

But he said they could tackle issues like this and revegetating ruts, increasing wildlife and preventing flooding if they were allowed to take it on as a community-led group working with an organisation like Sheffield Wildlife Trust.

The litter pick also got the support of two local councillors.

Mr Dickinson said: "It was great to see the two Sheffield councillors Vic Bowden and Mike Levery and talk to them about plans and action we need to take our campaigning to the next stage. Not only to save and improve Smithy Wood, but for the future of the Chapeltown Community Woodlands and what we call the Hallamshire Forest."

A petition launched by the Woodland Trust to stop development has so far gained more than 2,200 signatures.

Related topics:Sheffield CouncilSheffield