Ski village damage continues

Story: Graham Jones

Photo: Neil Schofield

Since the Ski Village on Parkwood Springs closed, the site has been ravaged by vandalism, plundering, tipping and a succession of fires.

The Friends of Parkwood Springs opposed a planning application from the leaseholder, Pullen Development (Selby) Ltd, to fill a large area of land on the Ski Village site to a depth of 5 or 6 feet, by using demolition waste from the Ski Village as well as from other sites. They were concerned that plans to build housing would be the only reason anyone would need to level the site.

The Friends of Parkwood Springs pressed the Council for urgent enforcement action to get the site cleared up and stop further deterioration. Councillor Ibrar Hussain raised the issue at the Council's Planning Board at the end of June.

The planning application was refused but the Friends of Parkwood Springs have complained that, despite the refusal of permission, a colossal thirty lorry loads of building waste have been brought onto the site and tipped there.

The Council has now served enforcement notices, both under planning law and under leasehold law, requiring the leaseholder to tidy up the site. The planning enforcement notice was served on 24th May, requiring the land to be cleared up within 8 weeks. However, Pullen Developments has lodged an appeal, which is due to be heard in Court on September 2nd.

There was a meeting of The Friends of Parkwood Springs on 1st July where members expressed their strong feelings about this dumping and possible house building. If you share the Friends group's concerns about Parkwood Springs, you can contact your local Councillor, or write to the Head of Planning, David Caulfield, at the Town Hall:

(David.Caulfield@sheffield.gov.uk)

Snowsport petition

Snowsport for Sheffield (SfS) is a group campaigning to re-establish snow sports facilities in Sheffield. Earlier this year, their working committee started a business proposal to develop the site as a multi-sport freestyle training facility. The group says it already has commercial interest from the snowsports surfacing company, Snowflex. It is also looking to incorporate additional outdoor sports at the Village, including mountain biking. The group are seeking a lease on the property. It has received messages of support from Team GB skier Katie Summerhayes, the Machon brothers, BBC Ski Sunday presenter Ed Leigh and keepfit guru Mr Motivator.

SfS intends to “create a platform for the next generation of Olympic hopefuls by encouraging talent and making snowsports accessible to all and to cement Sheffield’s place as the ‘City of Sport’, by working in partnership with existing facilities to create a Centre of Excellence.”

They believe this will provide a sustainable positive effect on the local community and economy.

Snowsport has an online petition:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/snow-sportfor-sheffield