Agenda item

10.1

The Committee received a presentation from Richard Holmes, Principal Planning Officer, on the Draft Sheffield Plan.

10.2

Mr Holmes outlined the aims and objectives of the Plan and how the plan affected North Sheffield. He explained that this was the statutory Local Plan for the City and that all local authorities were required to produce one. The Plan set out a vision and framework for the future development of the city, and would guide decisions on planning applications.

10.3

Mr Holmes explained that the Draft Sheffield Plan covered the whole city except for the part of the city that fell within the Peak District National Park boundary, and covered the period up to 2039 but would be reviewed at least every five years. The plan would replace the Sheffield Core Strategy (2009) and the Unitary Development Plan (1998). For the North of Sheffield the plan was divided into two Sub-Areas:-Stocksbridge/Deepcar and Chapeltown/High Green Sub-Area.

10.4

In terms of the timeline, Mr Holmes advised that the public consultation period ran from 9 January, 2023 to 20 February, 2023. Details were available on the Council’s website: Emerging Draft Sheffield Plan | Sheffield City Council, and a paper copy was also available to view at Howden House. He advised that after public consultation, the Council may propose amendments to the Plan and that the proposed amendments would be submitted to the Government and considered by an independent planning inspector.

10.5

The Chair thanked Mr Holmes and his team for attending, and invited questions from those present.

David Holmes, Friends of Loxley Valley

We met last week and discussed preliminary views on the Draft Sheffield Plan. We are broadly supportive of the plan and welcome the protection of the green belt. However, the process is complicated and long and potential developers might be less supportive and have very different views to ours. If others argue strongly against the protection of certain sites, at what point in the process can we counter those objections?

In response, Richard Holmes advised that all comments would be processed by the Council and grouped into particular topics/areas before being submitted to the independent planning inspector who would then decide how the examination was run. Those submitting comments would be asked if they would like to appear at the examination and would then be invited to those sessions along with the developer.

10.6

Councillor Levery noted that a public consultation was held two years ago, and over 80% of those who participated believed that no development should take place on land designated as green belt. Members backed this and it was later agreed that green belt boundaries would be maintained whilst still achieving housing criteria.

10.7

Councillor Baker added that the Peak District had its own planning authority. She explained that over one third of the land mass in Stannington fell within the Peak District boundary and as such Sheffield City Council had no authority over planning matters in this area.

10.8

The Chair advised that representatives from South Yorkshire Police, the Library Service, Yorkshire Water and Planning Officers were present and would be available for questions/comments at the close of the meeting.