Story: Rohan Francis
The Council's new planning document, The Sheffield Development Framework, or SDF, was unveiled at a recent Burngreave Community Action Forum meeting in June, ahead of 6 weeks of public consultation.
The SDF replaces Sheffield's ‘Unitary Development Plan’ adopted some twelve years ago, and shows how the City's land could be used in the future. The document will eventually form the basis for local planning decisions.
Council officers set out how Burngreave would be affected. At Spital Hill, the existing ‘Employment Zone’ would allow for further office and commercial development but prohibit general industry. On Rutland Road, the plan is to introduce a ‘Flexible Use Area’ which would permit family housing as well as employment developments.
Housing is still a priority for Earl Marshal, Ellesmere, Woodside and Catherine Street. However the target for affordable housing is now 40% on these sites, up from a previous target of 15%, with 30% of new homes to be adaptable for wheelchair users.
For residents keen to conserve local green spaces, the SDF sets out the protection each site can expect. In Burngreave we have many areas of green space and some have more protection than others.
Local Nature Sites
Local Nature Sites are an important resource for biodiversity. They are identified by the Council and protected from development except under exceptional circumstances, in which case the developer must compensate for, or replace, damaged habitats. Local Nature Sites in Burngreave are Smithies Field, Parkwood Springs, Petre Street Playing Fields, Wood Spring Court at Grimesthorpe, Denholme Close Open Space, Wincobank Wood and the woodland at Osgathorpe Road.
Local Nature Reserves
Local Nature Reserves have the same protection as Local Nature Sites but are considered of such importance that they are recognised by Natural England. Burngreave has three Local Nature Reserves, Roe Woods, Little Roe Woods and Crabtree Ponds.
Historic Parks and Gardens
Historic Parks and Gardens are protected and any development that would damage their features, character, setting or appearance is not permitted. Abbeyfield Park, Devon Gardens and Burngreave Cemetery are classed as Historic Parks or Gardens.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are the least common type of green space. Burngreave has two of only seven SSSI in the city; one at Neepsend Brickworks, off Rutland Road and the other alongside the railway below Parkwood Landfill. Both sites are protected by national legislation and managed by Natural England.
Other Open Spaces
These include all other areas of formal or informal open space, such as woodlands, allotments, sports pitches and small landscaped areas that you might find in housing estates. They will only be developed where a clear replacement can be provided locally, or where the open space is not required to meet a local need shown by an assessment. The assessment would have to show that local people have access to a range of open spaces and they would not be disadvantaged by the loss of the open space.
The Council's consultation on the SDF continues until 30th July 2010. For more information contact the SDF Team at Howden House, Union Street, email sdf@sheffield.gov.uk or go to www.sheffield.gov.uk/sdfconsult
The SDF map and policy documents can be viewed at all Sheffield libraries, Howden House and the Messenger office at Abbeyfield Park House.
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