Story by Clare Burnell
Council members announced some significant changes to the Masterplan at a Burngreave Area Panel meeting on Sunday 17th April at Firvale School. It was a well-attended and at times fiery meeting with upwards of 200 people coming in over the course of the afternoon.
David Shepard, from the City Council Neighbourhood Directorate, acknowledged that significant changes had been made to the Firvale proposals based on feedback from the Fir Vale survey carried out by South Yorkshire Housing Association and after receiving petitions from local residents.
The changes are:
The withdrawal of the wholesale demolitions proposed for Page Hall. Instead there will be local community ‘project groups’ which will develop a plan for each area. This could include: 2-into-1 conversions, energy efficiency improvements, creating more open space, refurbishment of existing homes and ‘selective demolition’.
• Improvements to the road layout at the Owler Lane/Barnsley Road junction leading to the demolition of ten extra properties.
Unchanged from the original draft proposals is the plan to replace the existing Owler Lane/Barnsley Road commercial centre and build new housing to replace the terraced houses on Skinnerthorpe Road.
There is a commitment that local residents will be given priority for new build properties and there will be community and business ‘project groups’ to work on the detailed plans for Skinnerthorpe and Owler Lane.
Residents speak up
One resident asked to see a copy of the household survey and was cheered for asking, “What does selective demolition mean?” He suggested that there should be a rule that demolition only happens with resident consent.
A vocal group of Skinnerthorpe residents read out a statement saying that they objected to the proposals and had compiled a petition. They wanted home improvements instead of demolition. This raised cheers from the floor. David Shepherd said that 75% of residents surveyed supported the demolition of Skinnerthorpe.
Briefly the meeting became a shouting match with voices calling out – “We’re not going to Arborthorne or the Manor”.
Councillor Steve Jones acknowledged that residents’ needed to be confident in any financial arrangements and being able to remain in the area would be a condition of the demolition plans being approved.
Councillor Jackie Drayton made it clear that the plans have to be approved at the Council Cabinet meeting on the 25th May in order for money to be accessed for Firvale. Steve Jones’ concluding statement was an assurance that, “We won’t ride rough shod over your views,” adding, “Let’s get the money”.