Local reservoir sites earmarked for new housing: update

Earlier this year local people had real concerns about proposals to allocate green field sites in the Crookes area for new housing. Two of the sites mentioned were Hadfield Reservoir (behind School Road) and Lydgate Reservoir (off Evelyn Road).

The council has now dropped plans to use the Hadfield site for new houses but the Lydgate site has not been ruled out and remains under consideration. Yorkshire Water has confirmed that they are “undertaking further investigations” at the Lydgate site.

However the council has said in a statement that “to provide advice on the archaeological value and ecological value of the site, an ecological assessment and a desk based archaeological assessment is being carried out.”

Although the council hasn’t made up its mind yet, ostensibly the usually purpose of investigations like these are to see whether a site is suitable for development.

Local residents are concerned at the prospect of losing yet another green and open space and worried about the possible knock-on effect new housing will have on traffic, road safety and local schools.

If you have anxieties regarding this or any other matters, please don’t hesitate to contact your local councillors Sylvia Anginotti, Geoff Smith and Rob Frost.

Contact details for Crookes ward councillors

Lydgate Reservoir housing plans in doubt

Plans to build new homes on the site of Lydgate Reservoir on Evelyn Road are in doubt following a statement from Yorkshire Water.

The information posted by Yorkshire Water’s Land Use Planning Manager on the consultation website reads:

I have now been informed by my operational colleagues that they are undertaking further investigations with regard to our distribution network in the area. Because of this I am not satisfied that there is in fact a “reasonable prospect” of the site coming forward within the plan period. I would therefore like to withdraw the site at least until our investigations are complete.

I am hopeful that we will have more certainty by the representations stage of the Publication Version and if in fact the site does prove to be surplus to operational use I will then ask for it to be included.

The site was one of 18 in Sheffield earmarked as part of a strategy to build 1,110 new homes.

20 youngsters refused places at Lydgate Infants school

Today’s Sheffield Telegraph reports how pupils are being turned away from their local primary schools, with Lydgate Infants being the worst affected:

…this year there were 148 applications for 120 places at Lydgate, compared with the usual average of 117. To cope education chiefs have created 60 extra places at Westways in Crookes and at Hallam Primary in Lodge Moor.

Tough economic times are believed to be a key factor – read the Sheffield Telegraph article or buy a copy of the paper for the full story.

Local sites earmarked for new houses – Crosspool meeting scheduled

Sheffield council has outlined plans to build new homes on Lydgate Reservoir on Evelyn Road, Hadfield Service Reservoir in Crookes and Canterbury Crescent, Fulwood in order to meet government housing targets.

The Lydgate Reservoir land is located at the end of the Evelyn Road cul-de-sac. It is thought that once the reservoir has been decommissioned, Yorkshire Water will market the site after 2017 or 2022.

The council is asking for residents and businesses to comment on the potential new housing plans between 16 January and 27 February 2012.

A drop-in session with Area Planner Sarah Smith has been called at Stephen Hill Methodist Church for Thursday February 2, from 3-8pm. If you have any questions about the consultation, please telephone the Sheffield Development Framework Consultation team on 0114 205 3075.

More information about the plans and consultation

One Evelyn Road resident, David Smithson, said: “If this pleasant and quiet dead end were to be the sole access to this site, the prospects of an unacceptable increase in traffic and the resultant noise pollution would have detrimental consequence on me and my neighbours’ health and wellbeing. 20 dwellings would probably mean 30 or more cars added to usage of the road.”

The sites are three of 18 in Sheffield earmarked as part of a strategy to build 1,110 new homes.

20mph speed limit area consultation

Information from the South West Community Assembly about the proposed 20mph scheme. Consultation meetings run by the South West Community Assembly are taking place locally in Crookes and Fulwood the week commencing 23 January – see below.

We may get some feedback to report at Crosspool Forum’s Open Meeting on the 26 January.

20mph zone public information and Q&A session

Later this year Sheffield councillors will be looking at the potential for 20mph zones in Sheffield.

So that members of the public are better placed to feed into this process the South West Community Assembly is holding a number of Information Sessions in the local area.

Highways and Road Safety Officers will present information on 20mph Zones and be on hand to answer your questions at these sessions. We will also ask you about the areas that you feel should be a priority.

Fulwood
Monday 23 January
Presentation at 6:00pm
Nether Green Infant School
Stumperlow Park Road S10 3QP

Crookes
Tuesday 24 January
Presentation at 6:00pm
Westways Primary School
Mona Avenue S10 1NE

For more information please use the contact details below to get in touch with the team.

www.sheffield.gov.uk/southwest
www.sheffield.gov.uk/southwestnews
communityassemblysouthwest@sheffield.gov.uk
0114 203 7212

Manchester Road resurfacing work to cause Sunday disruption

Manchester Road
Manchester Road: disruption for motorists on Sunday 6 and 13 November

Resurfacing work on Manchester Road in Crosspool is to cause disruption for motorists on Sunday 6 and 13 November.

On these two days, Manchester Road will operate under two-way temporary traffic signals. Sandygate Road will be closed at the Manchester Road junction. Local access will be maintained to the shopping centre and diverted traffic will use Selbourne Road. Lydgate Lane will also be closed at the Manchester Road junction with traffic diverted via Crookes Road and Fulwood Road.

These disruptions will only be on Sunday 6 and 13 November. Local businesses and traffic travelling through the area should see little disruption in the area Monday to Saturday.

Surgeries start for local councillor

Cllr Geoff Smith, CrookesOur local councillor Geoff Smith has published details of his monthly surgeries.

His Crosspool surgery takes place between 12.30pm and 2pm on the third Wednesday of the month (except December) in St Columba Church on Manchester Road.

The Labour councillor also runs a Crookes surgery between 6.30pm and 7.30pm, on the fourth Wednesday of the month (except December) in the Gilbert Room, St Thomas Church (opposite Crookes post office), Crookes.

He is also happy to see constituents at other times – contact him on 0114 273 5588, 07581 214783 and
geoff.smith2@sheffield.gov.uk. You can also follow him on Twitter at @geoffforcrookes.

Bullet points from Crosspool Forum Open Meeting, Monday 9 May 2011

Download as a Word document (41KB)

Matters arising & Chairman’s report

  1. More scrap dealers cruising the area – Pc Louise Atha to be informed.
  2. Crookes/Whitham Rd junction traffic problems? The severe pollution caused at this junction is a serious issue that wants immediate attention. Cllr Holmes is awaiting a response from Pam Horner (PTES) and the newly-re-organized Planning Board decision.
  3. Crosspool is entering ‘Sheffield in Bloom’ again – look out for the tubs & baskets! The Forum will need to acquire funding next year if it is to pay for a 2012 display – for the Diamond Jubilee!
  4. Internet computer course – this started on Fri 6th (St Columbas; 9.30-2pm.) Some places are still available.
  5. Car Boot Sale (profits to Weston Park Hospital) – 11th June. (the ‘Tavern’ car park as usual).
  6. Darwin House Open Day – 18th June
  7. Motorworld site planning permission (Turner Investments)  – this has been refused  by the Planning Inspectorate.
  8. Crosspool Centenary Walk – starting at the Tavern 12 noon on 30th July. Please cheer the 3 walkers on (or join them!)in their huge walk for Weston Park.
  9. Mayfield Valley lorries – a resident there is starting a campaign to prevent satnavs allowing inappropriately  huge vehicles from trying to squeeze down the lanes.

Police issues

As Pc Atha was on leave there was no report, but residents made the following points to be passed on to her – as well as point 1 above.

  1. Drug dealers using the ginnel at the top of Delph House Rd – this is to stopped.
  2. ‘20s plenty’ local speed campaign progress? After the local elections this is waiting until the Planning Boards have been re-organized.
  3. Wooden verge bollards – are more needed at the top of Stephen Hill? There is still some verge parking on that very dangerous road.
  4. Stephen Hill/Manchester Rd/Benty Lane junction – survey conclusions? This junction must be sorted out.

Councillors’ Report (Brian Holmes and Geoff Smith)

New Cllr Geoff Cox was welcomed, & said he was still in a ‘listening mode’, but hopes to get his contact details out to the public ASAP .

Residents being able to choose for themselves what to use their recycling bin BLUE BINS & BLUE BOXES for may start on 23rd May – watch this space!

The proposed hessian bag GREEN GARDEN WASTE SCHEME is not now happening – green bags are available once more from eg the libraries for green waste. At the moment the ‘winter’ scheme of residents ‘phoning to arrange collection is still in force – this may take 21 days. Cllrs agreed that re-opening the Botanical Gardens cafe was a high priority.

Treasurer’s Report

There is sufficient in  the ‘kitty’ to cover this year’s flowers, but (see above) grants will be needed for future projects

Crosspool Festival

Rev Frances Eccleston reported that  the Festival will open with Crosspool Open Gardens on Sat 2nd July, a Street Market on Sun 3rd, and 0 after a range of day & evening events – end with the Summer Fayre on Sat 9th & Picnic in the Park (Lydgate Green) on Sun 10th. More volunteers still warmly welcomed!

Digital Switchover report

Carrie McKenzie (Voluntary Action Sheffield) said that all old TVs & aerials should work fine with the new digital signal. People receiving TV through SKY dishes or by cable will not be affected at all when the analogue signal is switched off, but if TV comes via an aerial some form of ‘digibox’ for the new freeview 15 channels will be needed.  If residents get  their TV signals from the Crookes transmitter then BBC2 will disappear on 10th Aug (& the other channels two weeks later) – if from Emley Moor BBC2 will go on 7th Sep (& the others on 21st) and if from Belmont (not very likely in this area) 3rd August (& 17th).  Residents over 75 will have received a letter already asking them whether they need an installer to call & tune their sets in – if they biined this by accidents further letters will be sent!  Video recorders will still work to play old videos, but not record any longer..

AOB

  1. Cold callers – (Pat of Neighbourhood Watch) said the digital switchover might mean scams with callers pretending new aerials are needed. The real switchover installers will have contacted households ahead & made an appointment.
  2. Guests for next Open Meeting – Ian Hague will try to get a Magistrate to attend (having been at a very interesting meeting re sentencing etc).
  3. Old ‘Threshers’ shop? No-one had any information on this site.
  4. Local King Edwards schoolgirl Alicia Cannon has been named as winner of the Big Challenge for her fund-raising work for Weston Park.
  5. Crosspool litter pick (2nd April) – thank you to everyone who attended, and helped pick up 9 bags of rubbish! A special thank you to a Tapton girl & her Essex friend for their assistance!
  6. School involvement in the Open Meetings? The Forum would like to hear from anyone in Tapton or King Edwards who would like to speak at the Meetings – to give their points of view on their community.

Next Open Meeting will be on Thursday 28 July 2011, at St Columba’s, 7pm.

The Old Grindstone pub to reopen on 25 February

After years of uncertainty, including rumours of closure and demolition, the future of the Old Grindstone public house in Crookes seems safe, at least for the moment.

The owners, Greene King, are refitting the premises with a view to reopening on 25 February. With a banner on the pub promising ‘new food and drinks at great prices’, it seems that a more comprehensive food menu will be a feature of the relaunched pub.

Greene King has also applied for an extension in opening hours to provide alcohol and entertainment from 9am-12 midnight Sunday to Thursday and 9am-1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The application can viewed during office hours at the Licensing Department in the town hall.

The Old Grindstone
The Old Grindstone: due to reopen on 25 February