NEW DEADLINE EXTENDED to JULY 22nd.
Thanks to everyone who submitted an objection to the proposed demolition of the former Plough Inn. Over 150 objections have been submitted which shows the strength of community support for this iconic building.
Save the Plough
Due to one of the site notices only going out in late June, we have now been informed that objections to the proposal can be made up to July 22nd 2019. So, if you didn’t get round to submitting an objection, you still have time.
Obviously, the more objections made, the better the chance of saving the building.
Planning apps Sheffield
Peter Duff (Save the Plough & the Sporting Heritage of Sandygate)
As most of you will know, an application to demolish the Plough has been submitted to the planning committee. The application would see the Plough replaced by eight houses on the site, none of which would be affordable for many of the local people.
The Plough, Sandygate Road
We are asking as many people as possible to object to this application in order to protect such a historic building as the Plough. The main reasons for objecting are: The Plough was listed as an Asset of Community Value in April 2018 which protects its status as a public house. This decision was based on widespread support from the community, individuals, families and local organisations such as Crosspool Forum.
The recent planning history of the site confirmed the value of the Plough to the local community.
In January 2017, the planning committee refused an application for change of use on the basis that the pub catered for a wide section of the local community.
The Plough has significant heritage value not only to the local area but to the city as a whole. It is a landmark building and is closely associated with the history of football in the city. The local authority should be looking to preserve such buildings and to promote them as part of its ‘home of football’ campaign.
The application to demolish the Plough does not provide any evidence to suggest that it is not viable as a public house. The developer states that no offers were received to lease the pub but this was because it was only offered for a completely unrealistic rent of £50,000 per annum. Average rents in our region are between £24,000 and £29,000.
Please make an objection as soon as you can, using the link below:
Hallam Chase fell race returns to Crosspool on Tuesday 29 May
On Tuesday 29 May the annual fell race organised by Hallamshire Harriers and hosted by Hallam Cricket Club returns to Crosspool.
At 8pm on the Tuesday evening after the second bank holiday in May, runners set off from Hallam Football/Cricket Club’s Sandygate ground, go down Den Bank through the Rivelin Valley and up to Stannington church, before returning by the same route. The Hallam Chase run 3¼ miles long, with 800 feet of climb.
The record time of 19 minutes 42 seconds was set in 1968 by Trevor Wright.
The home of Hallam FC and Hallam Cricket Club has been granted protected status.
Sandygate stadium in Crosspool is now an asset of community value, meaning that if the owners ever want to sell the ground, they would have to inform the local authority and give a community group six months to raise the money to purchase it.
The group has been in discussions with a private investor who has offered to buy the freehold of The Plough and lease it back to the community group on favourable terms over an initial 10-year period. The private investor would cover the acquisition and external refurbishment costs.
The £120,000 would cover the initial start-up costs of the business.
If you are interested in making an investment in The Plough contact the group directly by emailing ploughsandygate@gmail.com or Facebook for a copy of the pledge form.
A public meeting is also scheduled to take place on Thursday 15 June, 7pm at St Columba’s on Manchester Road.
We have formed the Plough Community Benefit Society Ltd and have registered with the Financial Conduct Authority. This means that we are now in a position to raise funds through a Community Share Issue.
Originally, our plan was to buy the freehold of the Plough which had been put on the market for offers in excess of £550,000. We commissioned a valuation from an independent consultant who valued the pub at £435,000. Clearly raising that kind of money plus funds for refurbishment would have been a tough challenge.
However, very recently, we have been in discussions with a private investor who has offered to buy the freehold of the Plough and lease it back to the community group on favourable terms over an initial 10 year period.
Financially, this makes our target much more achievable. The private investor would cover the acquisition and external refurbishment costs. We would be responsible for refitting the interior of the pub.
We are looking to raise £120,000 through a Community Share Issue which would cover the initial start-up costs of the business.
We are now seeking to gauge the level of support for a potential Community Share Issue. Shares will be valued at £1 and sold in batches with a minimum investment of £250 rising to the legal maximum of £20,000. All shareholders will have equal voting rights irrespective of the value of their holding.
If you would be interested in making an investment in the Plough, please contact us directly by email for a copy of our Pledge Form: ploughsandygate@gmail.com. Or contact us through Facebook messenger.
Please consider making a financial and social investment in the Plough as both a traditional local pub and a thriving community asset.
We will be in Crosspool precinct tomorrow morning if you would like to talk to us and we are planning to hold a public meeting on June 15th.
On Tuesday 30 May the annual fell race organised by Hallamshire Harriers and hosted by Hallam Cricket Club returns to Crosspool.
At 8pm on the Tuesday evening after the second bank holiday in May, runners set off from Hallam Football/Cricket Club’s Sandygate ground, go down Den Bank through the Rivelin Valley and up to Stannington church, before returning by the same route. The Hallam Chase run 3¼ miles long, with 800 feet of climb.
The record time of 19 minutes 42 seconds was set in 1968 by Trevor Wright.