New ‘sports pavilion’ proposed for quiet Sheffield park

A report from Sheffield City Council’s planning department outlines proposals to demolish the existing pavilion at Stannington Park and replace it with a modern facility that will continue to serve as a “sports pavilion.”

The application, submitted by the council, forms part of its Youth Strategy and is being led by Community Youth Services.

Although the current pavilion remains in use for community and private hire—and provides changing facilities for sports activities—it is described as being in a deteriorating condition.

“The application proposes the demolition of the existing dated pavilion to be replaced with a new modern pavilion,” the report states, noting that the new building will retain the original function.

However, a spokesperson from Sheffield Council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that it has been working on two applications for new youth and community buildings (at Stanning Park, and at Winn Gardens) at the moment but even if permission is granted, “there is no guarantee that either building will be successful in gaining funding and the outcome of the applications will not be known until later in the year”.

The hope is the council will be awarded grants from the Youth Investment Fund which was developed to create, expand, and improve local youth facilities and their services in the out of school youth sector, to drive positive outcomes for young people, including improved mental and physical wellbeing, and skills for life and work.

While the proposal is still in its early stages, local councillor Will Sapwell, who represents the Stannington ward, welcomed the project.

“This is such an exciting project and promises to deliver what so many Stannington residents and community groups have asked for – improvements to the park and an increase in youth services in the area,” he told the LDRS.

“As councillors we’ve had to be careful not to over promise whilst working with groups like the Stannington Carnival team, Action for Stannington and Stannington Brass Band to ensure the designs meet the requirements of the whole community.

“Today marks an important milestone in getting this project done – we have listened, we have delivered what we can as local councillors, we now eagerly wait for the go ahead from the national government.”

The council’s planning department is expected to issue a decision by May 23.