Controversial Sheffield decision to earmark Green Belt land for development remains in place
Sheffield Council’s Local Plan has passed through the latest stage of the process with controversial Green Belt development plans and a travelling showpeople’s site still in place.
Government planning inspectors who held hearings into the Sheffield City Council proposals outlining where all types of development will be allowed across the city have today (January 26) made a 10-page response to the evidence they heard in weeks of hearings.
This letter has just been shared on the council’s website.
According to the council, the inspectors say that the plan, which will last until 2039, can move to the next stage of public engagement in a process that could finally be signed off in July.
Members of the public argued and campaigned hard to stop around 3.5% of city Green Belt land, on 14 sites mainly in the S35 and S13 areas, being earmarked for housing and industrial needs.
The inspectors told the council to include green belt sites in its decisions on where to zone industrial and homes developments in the draft local plan.
Target
The inspectors ruled that the proposals were 3,500 homes short of the government’s five-year housebuilding target, so the Green Belt must be brought into play.
Initial indications of changes the inspectors are recommending include some alterations to the sites identified on Green Lane, Grenoside and Beaver Hill Road, Handsworth.
The farmstead at Townend Farm in Grenoside has apparently not been included but the council-owned farming land is understood to still be earmarked for housing. The inspectors’ hearings looked at whether other land holdings would still make the farm viable.
Another contentious issue concerned using land off Eckington Way, near Crystal Peaks, for a proposed travelling showpeople’s site and industrial uses.
This proposal has apparently not been altered by the inspectors despite arguments against it.
Modifications
A Local Plan has not been in place for Sheffield since 1998. The council argues that it is vital to have a new one because otherwise it is far harder to oppose unwanted developments.
Without an agreed five-year housing supply in place as part of the plan, the council says it is harder for the planning committee to push back on proposals it would otherwise have found unacceptable as there is a presumption in favour of developers.
The public will now have a chance to comment on the inspectors’ proposed modifications before they decide whether to include them in their final report.
After coming into force, the plan will also be reviewed every five years in order to respond to changing needs over time.
Council leader Coun Tom Hunt said: “Sheffield needs a Local Plan because we are a growing city. Having a Local Plan means control over where development happens and what gets built.
Sound
“But growth needs to be inclusive, and the plan will bring real benefits for communities. It will help us to provide more affordable housing, regenerate derelict land, create new jobs, improve public transport and reduce our city’s carbon emissions.
“I would like to thank each resident and community group from across Sheffield who has shared their views with the Inspectors.
“The independent inspectors have confirmed the plan is sound in principle, subject to some required changes, and those changes must now be consulted on.
“I encourage people to take part in this next stage. It’s an important opportunity for residents to comment on the proposed modifications before the independent inspectors issue their final report to the council.
Infrastructure
“The plan has a clear focus on developing brownfield land that has already previously been built on.
"It is a long-term plan and the majority of development won’t happen until the 2030s.
“The plan means that more housing developments will have to include affordable homes. It means ensuring that developments have the right infrastructure like public transport, children’s playgrounds, schools and health services.
“Continuing without a Local Plan means remaining at risk of speculative, unplanned development and developments built without any infrastructure and without affordable housing. This would be a failure and it is not what communities need.”
You can find out more about the Sheffield Local Plan by visiting the council’s website.