"Fresh proposals will be shared soon" Sheffield council say as new car park options planned for social centre
“Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to engage with this and contribute to discussions”
An 11th hour change to plans for the development of a new £51 million leisure centre will see a local community offered new car parking spaces.
Users of Arbourthorne Social Centre feared their centre would face permanent closure when the council announced plans to take the majority of their car park out of action for two years as construction on the nearby Uriah Rennie Leisure Centre took place.
Developers intended to place a cabin in the car park during the construction process, which users said would leave little space for attendees to park.
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However, after complaints and even threats of protests from locals, the council has announced a last minute change to the plans which were meant to begin on Monday, November 9.
They have confirmed that they are seeking to create new car parking spaces on grass verges near to the social centre, and the contractor compound will not be installed until that it complete.
The Uriah Rennie Leisure Centre development will not be paused however, as drainage and preparatory works are expected to continue as planned.
Councillor Marieanne Elliot, deputy chair of the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee, said: “As we have said previously, the intention is not for the whole car park to be taken out of use during the works.
“Sheffield City Council officers and the contractors met with residents again this week to discuss their concerns and the meeting was very constructive. Potential options for additional parking were discussed and there will be some fresh proposals to share with residents soon.
“Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to engage with this and contribute to discussions.”
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The decision has been praised by local councillors, who had been working with residents to find a resolution.
Reform UK’s Matt Smith said: “The issue with this case since the very start has been unbelievably poor communication between council officers and both the councillors and residents affected.
“The decision to close the car park would have had huge consequences, and would've led to the ultimate closure of the social centre and TARA (tenants and residents association) once events had ceased throughout the lengthy two-year period.
“At the public meeting I chaired on Monday (November 2), I was concerned that residents' concerns were still not being taken onboard in full, however I'm thrilled that residents have finally been listened to, and that an alternative solution may have been found.
“We must let this be a learning opportunity, and make sure that residents and vital local groups such as Arbourthorne TARA, along with the elected councillors, are not side-lined in the same way by the council 'machine' in future.
“I stand full square behind Arbourthorne TARA, but the exciting new Leisure Centre must be built whilst respectfully working with and listening to local groups to minimise disruption, not riding roughshod over them. Overall this is great progress, and I look forward to the building and TARA remaining open throughout the construction period, they are simply too important for the community to lose.”
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Labour councillor Ben Miskell echoed this, saying that he’s “worked hard” to find a solution that benefits residents while allowing the development to continue.
“I’m really pleased that we’ve now found a way forward that looks set to protect at least the same number of parking spaces for the TARA, and hopefully create even more after a meeting with officers and different users of the building,” he added.
“When the TARA first approached me about this, they were understandably frustrated. As a local councillor, I see it as my job to listen, find solutions and get things sorted. That’s what I’ve worked hard to do here.
“It was really important to find a solution that allowed the £51 million investment in a new leisure centre for our community to go ahead, while also protecting the fantastic activities that the TARA provides for local people.
“The parking spaces aren’t just a convenience. Many of the people who use the TARA have mobility difficulties and simply wouldn’t be able to attend without them. Protecting that access means protecting the activities, support that so many people rely on.
“While I think there are lessons for the council to learn from how this was handled initially, I’m pleased that, within a week or so of the concerns being raised, council officers have listened, worked constructively with the TARA and found a way forward”