Retirement scheme for wildlife site opposed

RESIDENTS AND councillors are concerned about new retirement apartments planned in Sheffield because of flooding and the environment.

Developers want to build 14 two-bed apartments with 14 parking spaces on land between 5 and 21 Holmhirst Road at Woodseats.

Self Architects, on behalf of the developers, say a planning application was approved in 2012 but there was Japanese knotweed on the site, which had to be eradicated. Removing it took several years by which time the approval had lapsed. The developers say this application is almost exactly the same as the previous one, with some minor amendments.

But 17 residents have objected, along with Graves Park ward councillors Ian Auckland, Sue Auckland and Steve Ayris.

The councillors say the loss of the wildlife site is unacceptable without significant compensation.

A joint objection says: “The site has historically provided both ecological and public health benefits to the local community and since 2004 has formed part of the Graves Park Beck Local Wildlife Site corridor linking scarce biodiverse green spaces in this urban area.

“The site’s previous use as a shared community garden for vegetable growing still holds relevance in the current active interest in food self-sufficiency locally and across the city and in green social prescribing and for improving health and mental wellbeing through connecting with nature.

“Our caseload from local residents frequently includes incidences of heavy rainfall run-off falling from upstream on to the west side of Chesterfield Road, including into the Holmhirst Road site. We believe this has been understated.”

The councillors say there is an abundant supply of this type of accommodation. Planning officers are considering the application.