Story: Lisa Swift
Designs for the development of Ellesmere Green will go forward to the next stage with very few changes following the consultation in the summer.
The Council reported the results of the consultation at a Community Assembly meeting on 9th October. New paths, a central meeting point, lighting, a space for events opposite the post office, new planting, railings and demolition of the toilets will all go ahead.
The demolition of the toilets was the most controversial decision. Only 51% of residents responding to the Council’s questionnaire agreed this was a good idea. At the meeting the Council stated that the toilets cost £18,000 per year to maintain, and there was not enough money to renovate or maintain them.
Residents at the meeting were frustrated that feedback they had given on the proposals was not taken into account, and that the plans appeared to have been unchanged by the consultation process. There was particular unhappiness that the footpath from Gower Street across the Green to the bus stop on Burngreave Road had been removed. The Council later met with Burngreave TARA to consider a compromise, and a path to the bus stop will now be reinstated in the plan.
New ideas from the consultation that will be taken forward to the next stage will be a public art feature for children, bigger ‘don’t feed the pigeons signs’, more litter bins, more cycle stands, and more maintenance for the green in the future.
More detailed designs will now be produced and shared with the community early next year. A contractor will be chosen in spring 2013, and the Council hope they will be onsite by summer 2013