Controversial Sheffield road verge plan goes before government hearing
A two-year row over a road verge in a Sheffield suburb will come before a Department of Transport hearing in the city next month.
The owner of the Coach House on Dobbin Hill, Greystones won planning permission from Sheffield City Council in March 2024 to wall off the grass verge outside the property as part of their garden.
The Department for Transport hearing at the Cutlers Hall, Church Street in the city centre on December 16 will look at making a “stopping up” order under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for the verge to take it out of highway use.
The inquiry public notice said that if granted this would allow the work approved by the council to take place.
The planning application, which was submitted in October 2023, involved a grass verge measuring three metres in width at its widest point and 18 metres in length from the house, narrowing to the junction with Ringinglow Road.
A document before the planning committee said that the plan included a stone wall being built around 75 per cent of the grass verge that houses a lamppost, bollards, street sign and public bin to the southern end.
The scheme was opposed by 29 objectors including Ecclesall Green Party and Ecclesall ward councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, a LibDem.
Their objections included concerns over worsening visibility at the junction for drivers, narrowing of the pavement for walkers, the loss of street furniture, removal of green space and loss of the open aspect of the area.
An online petition has also been signed by 1,937 people. It urged people to object to the planning application and stopping-up order.