Dear Messenger,
It was with horror, disgust and incredulity that I read the article ‘Council plan transformation’ in the August issue. When will the planning authorities learn that ‘demolition and new build’ is not the answer to the regeneration of an area?
Sheffield’s whole planning history seems to consist of knocking down the last mistake and building a new mistake. Replacing rows of terrace housing with modern ill built and designed housing will only destroy what little is left of the local history and feel for this area. With more foresight renovation should be the way forward, thereby keeping and encouraging the history of the shops and houses. You only have to look at the supposed luxury apartments along the River Don to see how quickly they become shabby and non-descript.
Yes, I definitely agree that work needs to be done to provide quality low cost housing for people, but people don’t want to live in a giant featureless council estate. People are always telling me wonderful stories of how Pitsmoor and Burngreave used to look so please don’t let the City destroy any more. Forget about restoration of the Manor Castle, how about restoration of our city.
Secondly, I can’t believe that Paul from the Kashmir had to learn about the demolition of his restaurant from the pages of the Messenger. His business is one of Spital Hill’s main attractions, feeding not just local people but folk from across the city and beyond. Please treat him and other traders with a little bit of respect.
Yours, Gaby Spinks