Professor laments city’s green space woes

A RENOWNED professor says Sheffield’s green spaces are suffering “death by a thousand pinpricks” from developments.

Prof Ian Rotherham, author of more than 400 academic papers, articles and books as well as 300 studies, is supporting campaigners who are trying to stop Owlthorpe Fields from being developed.

Councillors rejected plans by Avant Homes to build houses on the wildlife site but the developers have appealed.

Prof Rotherham said: “We have to fight on this one because if this site can be lost, anywhere can be lost. It’s death by a thousand pinpricks.

“Each time there’s a review, we lose a bit more green belt. If any sites should be secured for the future, this must be one of them.

“There are huge benefits from contact with nature and we have a health centre right in the middle of this area. We are delivering all these benefits so there is an argument to maintain and enhance that.”

The land was earmarked for housing by Sheffield Council in the early 1980s and Prof Rotherham says it has always been vulnerable.

Ancient woodland, one of Prof Rotherham’s specialist subjects, forms part of the battle at Owlthorpe Fields.

He said: “Developers don’t accept it’s ancient woodland because it’s not on the inventory but there are trees there which are centuries old and the inventory is not a definitive list, sometimes things are not on it when they should be.

“I’m one of the national authorities on this and have written policy guidance which has been tested at a national enquiry so I know this is ancient woodland.”

He is also concerned a development would have wider implications. “The development will take surface water away from the present watercourse and it will kill veteran oak trees because the stream will dry up,” he said.