Sheffield campaigners call for council to protect Parkwood Springs green space from leisure development
More than 1,800 people have signed petitions to protect the green area from development
Campaigners to protect a city green space from a leisure development have called on Sheffield City Council to put the needs of people before private profit.
Emily Thatcher from the campaign Protect Parkwood Springs told the full council meeting yesterday (November 4) that more than 1,800 people had signed their petitions to protect the green area from development.
She said: “Parkwood Springs, just north of the Sheffield city centre, is a valuable public green space with woodland, wildlife habitats, walking and running routes and mountain bike trails, supported by public investment.
“It also has place and historic significance where people can relax and interact with nature.”
Ms Thatcher said that New Zealand company Skyline International Tourism plan to build a concrete go kart track and leisure lift.
“Crucially, the large site extends beyond the derelict ski village and on to the designated parkland. Our message is simple – redevelop the ski village site, not our green space.”
She said the area serves deprived areas Burngreave, Pitsmoor and Shiregreen, “where free green space is especially important”.
Ms Thatcher added: “This is about health, wellbeing, recreation and biodiversity – a win for the whole community, not simply making a profit.”
The council won £19.4m government funding two years ago to turn the area into an urban ‘country park’, working with Skyline.
Chair of the transport, regeneration and climate policy committee Coun Alexi Dimond responded that no planning application has yet been submitted.
Any application would be properly assessed, including on biodiversity and heritage grounds, before any decision is made.