Agenda item

8.1

Andrew Towlerton, Clerk to Ecclesfield Parish Council, outlined the Ecclesfield Parish Neighbourhood Plan. This was being led by a working party comprising of parish councillors and members of the local community, supported by Sheffield City Council. The draft plan was now in advanced stages and had incorporated a number of policies, and focussed on a number of areas:

• protect countryside, open spaces and historic heritage;
• protect and provide a range of community facilities;
• ensure any new developments meet the needs of local people; and
• provide essential services and infrastructure.

Mr Towlerton explained that the neighbourhood plan had full statutory weight and once completed would require approval via a public referendum. He confirmed that the next step was to invite residents and businesses to give their views on the draft plan, after which a revised draft plan would be submitted to Sheffield City Council. Following further consultation, the draft plan would be submitted to an independent examiner and, if successful, would then be put forward for a referendum.

See link below for a copy of the draft plan:

Ecclesfield-Parish-Neighbourhood-Plan-2022-2039-Working-Draft-February-2024.pdf (ecclesfield-pc.gov.uk)

8.2

Councillor Alan Hooper praised the work carried out by Mr Towlerton and the other parish councillors in preparing the draft plan.

8.3

Adam Hurst queried whether public transport could be incorporated into the plan, and how it could address under-occupation of large houses, and the increased demand for extending smaller properties.

8.4

Mr Towlerton confirmed that public transport was not within the remit of the plan. He advised that an ageing population had led to high levels of under-occupation but with limited options available for moving to smaller properties. He added that there were good and bad examples of extensions to properties.

8.5

Councillor Rob Reiss thanked Mr Towlerton for the work involved, and asked what the process and timescales were for a referendum to validify the draft plan.

8.6

Mr Towlerton responded by saying that once the plan reached the next stage of consultation it became a valid planning document, and that the weight attached to it would take into account its place in the full process.

8.7

Phil Harris asked how the status of the old school site might have been affected if the neighbourhood plan had been a place a few years ago.

8.8

Mr Towlerton explained that when the school submitted a planning application it would have been in accordance with the appropriate design code.

8.9

Councillor Mike Levery explained that the school building was part of the fabric of the village which afforded it some level of protection.

8.10

Mr Towlerton confirmed that the local plan procedure provided access to additional Community Infrastructure Levy funding, which would be used for the benefit of the area.

8.11

Adam Fermie, Treasurer of Friends of Grenoside Park, was in attendance to update the Committee on the work of the group. He explained that the group was set up a few years ago by five local parents and their main aim had been to improve the childrens’ play area. Some equip over 30 years old and was on grass, making it difficult to access and unusable for buggies in the winter. He summarised the work and plans of the group:

• Christmas tree trail – this had been a fun community activity and had raised over £900;
• Proposed zip wire for the park - this had been approved and was waiting for Lottery funding;
• Big Idea funding - £5,000 had been awarded by the Local Area Committee that would be used to fund a topographical survey on the playground, to be carried out by the Capital Delivery Service at Sheffield City Council; and
• The group continued to be active and seek funding for improvements to the park.

8.12

Councillor Hooper thanked the Friends of Grenoside Park for their efforts and achievements.

8.13

Khalid Hizam, Youth Voice and Influence Worker, was in attendance to outline the role of the Community Youth Services team in making sure voices were heard from young people across the city. He explained that the team included four services:

• Information, Advice and Guidance Service – providing careers advice
• Universal Youth Services – providing youth services across wards
• Youth Voice and Influence Service – consultation with young people to hear their views
• Prevention Service – support for those at risk of getting involved in crime

He added that the teams were able to offer advice and support and provide links to other groups.

8.14

Councillor Hooper thanked those present for attending, and welcomed comments on the future format of North Local Area Committee public meetings.