Story by Mark Lankshear
The final version of the Masterplan will go to the Council Cabinet on 25th May for approval. The New Deal Partnership Board have given it their support and endorsed the controversial consultation process but called on the Cabinet to put a new supermarket back into the heart of the Spital Hill plans. John Clark, New Deal Chief Executive, said its central location was essential for the prosperity of the whole area and the success of their own £10 million investment.
The final Masterplan now sets out a single three-year programme of work, instead of three phases. It still includes new housing on the site of Ellesmere Old Peoples Home, a redesign of Ellesmere Green and an indoor market on the Murco Garage and comprehensive redevelopment at the bottom of Spital Hill where the new ring road will cross. The planned supermarket on Hallcar Road has been replaced by a wider area where a site might be found.
If approved by Cabinet the Masterplan will be used to bring in Housing Renewal and other money and guide planning permission decisions. The New Deal have approved their own plans for the renovation of the Vestry Hall and Sorby House and then, if everything stays on schedule, a £6.5 million refit of the whole public realm of Spital Hill between February 2006 and February 2007.
Consultation will go on
When the Masterplan options were first published in October last year they shocked many residents and businesses who saw their premises earmarked for demolition. Angry protests included Spital Hill Local Voice, who raised an 800 name petition and the Business Forum, who refused to approve the plans and consultation.
Now David Shepherd, the Masterplan Programme Director, admits mistakes were made but denies there were ever plans for ‘wholesale demolition’. Following the initial outcry he says they’ve met privately with 95% of local businesses, the Business Forum and Burngreave Community Action Forum (BCAF) and now have ‘general agreement’ with the proposals. But as the Messenger reported last issue only 33 of the 60 businesses the Council spoke to agreed with proposals. Both New Deal and the Council have committed themselves to ongoing community involvement as the details of the plans are developed. The Council will set up ‘project groups’ for each area, through the Area Panels, and the New Deal Partnership Board will still need to approve individual parts of the Spital Hill refit.
“We want a supermarket (…and a bank!)”
John Clark said research showed a supermarket would bring local jobs and boost income for other shops, keeping money in the local economy, but only if it was in the middle of other shops. Following talks with supermarket chains he said the Hallcar Road site in the original Masterplan was the only viable option and called for it to be reinstated.
Community Reps on the New Deal Partnership Board said residents had been calling for a supermarket and bank on Spital Hill for many years and that opposition didn’t represent the real views of residents. They voted to ask the Council Cabinet to keep options for the exact site open, but to ensure it would be in the heart of Spital Hill.