Lane End development considerations
Whilst I welcome development of the brownfield sites across Penistone and Stocksbridge, any development should take account of the views of the immediate and broader community. The lack of a Sheffield Local Plan means that developments such as this have no local point of reference and so no democratic consent.
Recognising that the date for consideration has been extended, there remains a significant number of constituents who feel that a number of issues they had previously raised have not been fully considered prior to the application being brought to the Committee for a decision.
The best means to ensure local views are properly taken into account is through the development and adoption of a local plan.
In particular I have written to the council to ask for further consideration to be given to the following:
- The site is in a designated housing area, and in the past has been granted outline planning permission for a purely residential development. Whilst planning policies do allow a retail outlet to be built here, what consideration has been given to the possibility of a residential only development?
- A frequently cited concern is the impact of increased traffic on a narrow road with lots of on street parking. Although a traffic survey has been conducted, a number of residents feel its findings are not in line with their own experiences. Will the Council agree to commissioning a more substantial traffic survey in the area?
- Parking spaces are being provided on the site, but what mitigating actions is the Council proposing to ensure that if demand is higher than this it will not result in cars being parked on Lane End, which could increase congestion, or on residential side streets?
- Is there a possibility of restrictions being placed on delivery times to ensure that they do not coincide with peak hours or school drop off and pick up times? Could deliveries be routed through Thorncliffe Business Park to access the site from Thorncliffe Lane perhaps?
- What action does the Council propose to take to address the problem of three junctions (Thorncliffe Lane, Thorncliffe View and the new supermarket) being exceptionally close together?
- What guarantees have been received that the design for the homes will be in keeping with the local area?
- How does the Council reconcile the development of a food store here when that is in contravention of the national policy to focus retail development on existing high streets and local centres?
The use of brownfield sites and the promise of local jobs should be welcomed, but the possibility for detrimental impacts on the local area must also be considered.
