Plans to build 300 new homes in Sheffield's picturesque Loxley Valley receives hundreds of objections

Developers Patrick Properties is planning to build a "sustainable new community" along the River Loxley.

They say it’s the only way of funding a clean-up of derelict refractory works that were abandoned by Hepworths in the early 1990s.

But 250 people have so far objected, saying it would ruin the ancient woodland, destroy wildlife, cause traffic chaos and be dangerous as the land is prone to flooding.

Andy Tickle, head of campaigns at the CPRE, said it would be objecting strongly to the "massive housing estate".

"This is simply the wrong development in the wrong place. The proposals will impact on the very high quality landscape in the valley, which is also designated as green belt, and the nearby Peak District National Park.

"Although the final design and layout of the housing is not specified, we are clear that it would be the wrong development in the wrong place.

"It's neither needed or at all appropriate for release for housing development as it would be visually intrusive and damage the openness of the green belt.

"It would be unsustainable, remote from services and itself be isolated within a sensitive and cherished valley landscape"

David Holmes, spokesman for Friends of the Loxley Valley, said: "We are so proud of our community for spelling out how strongly everybody feels about the threat of an unsustainable new township at the heart of our beautiful valley.

"The objections are rising fast but it's not all about numbers. It's also about the care and passion and thoughtfulness that everyone has put into their arguments.

"We know how devastating this would be to our lives, not least to people at Malin Bridge and Hillsborough who'll suffer all the extra traffic.

"We're also very angry that we're having to spend so much time on this when we already have so much to worry about. We think big planning applications like this should be put on hold during a national crisis when we can't even meet to discuss our views."

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