Controversial plans for new housing estate in Sheffield go before councillors

Hundreds of people have objected to Avant homes building 74 properties on Owlthorpe Fields off Moorthorpe Way near Crystal Peaks.

It's the first phase of housing which could ultimately see 500 new homes on the site.

The estate would include 24 with three bedrooms, 31 with four bedrooms and four with five bedrooms plus another 15 homes which are affordable shared ownership.

It would be accessed from an extension to the road that serves Owlthorpe doctors surgery with cul-de-sacs leading off either side.

The northern part of the site adjoining Ochre Dyke is to be kept as open space, around 15 per cent of the site, with houses overlooking it.

In the first round of consultation, 172 people objected and during a second consultation, 162 objected. Just two people were in favour.

Residents are very concerned about the loss of wildlife, open green space and trees. They fear it will increase traffic and congestion, put a strain on the doctor's surgery and schools, and add to air pollution.

Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire and the People's Trust for Endangered Species have also objected.

Planning officers are recommending the scheme should go ahead because the land is designated for housing but admit they have concerns about the environmental impact.

In a report, they say: "The re-grading and development in part of the on-site buffer zone along with the loss of the species rich hedge is regrettable and officers have some reservations as to whether the applicant has made a serious attempt to mitigate these losses.

"However, the council’s landscape and ecology officers are of the view that the impact on trees and biodiversity is not so great that it should prevent development of the site.

"The council’s ecologist believes the on-site landscaping and mitigation and the off-site compensation will together result in a net gain in biodiversity in the longer term."

The committee will decide during an online meeting on Tuesday, June 2.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to The Star website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Visit https://www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.