Sheffield Council officers support controversial plans for 41 new homes despite dozens of objections

Developers were refused planning permission to demolish parts of farmhouse buildings and build dozens of houses at 9 – 11 Wood Royd Road, Deepcar, after more than 100 people objected.

Wood Royd Road fields are not classed as green belt but councillors on the planning and highways committee refused the original plans because it would be a loss of open space and biodiversity. They were also concerned about drainage and highway issues.

The developers re-submitted updated plans and now council officers have recommended them for approval.

Officers said: “This application is largely a re-submission of the refused planning application, but it is supported by additional information and proposed changes to the site entrance in order to address the previous reasons for refusal.

“As before, the proposal includes the demolition of the front section of the farmhouse to Wood Royd Road and the retention of the site’s attached stone barn and the demolition of the single storey ancillary buildings. Any subsequent proposal to alter or change the use of the barn would be subject to separate full planning application at a later date.”

What neighbours think

In total, 81 letters of objections were received by the local authority to these new proposals, although some were from the same households.

Objectors included Stocksbridge Town Council, Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust and local councillors Lewis Chinchen and Julie Grocutt.

Concerns raised included poor access and the lack of a footway along the road, congestion, demolition of a historic building, impact on the feel and amenities in Deepcar, loss of open space, damage to the environment, noise pollution and flooding.

Councillors on the planning and highways committee are due to make a decision on the application in a meeting on Tuesday, November 8 from 2pm.

The full agenda and link to watch the live webcast can be found here: https://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=373&MId=8300

To read the officers’ full report and reasoning, visit: https://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/documents/s55426/22-00491-OUT%20Wood%20Royd%20Road.pdf