Neighbours in Grenoside lose their fight against new homes plan

A group of neighbours who have spent years fighting proposals for new homes in Grenoside lost their battle when Sheffield councillors approved a developer’s plans.
By Julia Armstrong, Local Democracy Reporter
Published 12th Oct 2023, 16:15 GMT
Updated 12th Oct 2023, 16:15 GMT
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Members of Sheffield City Council’s planning and highways committee, which met on Tuesday, October 10, approved the plans to build two detached homes on Wheel Lane, Grenoside. Coun Bernard Little voted against and Coun Tim Huggan abstained.

Four people whose homes are beside the site and West Ecclesfield ward councillor Alan Hooper spoke at the meeting to oppose the plan. The proposal attracted 19 letters of objection.

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Neighbours have fought a long series of applications by the developer. Two were granted conditionally and did not go ahead, another was approved then quashed, three more were refused and two appeals were rejected.

Grenoside ward councillor Alan Hooper, left, with Paul Salt, Mark Barlow, Mark Ellis and Cheryl Hall. They all spoke at Sheffield City Council's planning committee to object to plans for new homes on Wheel Lane, Grenoside. Picture: Julia Armstrong, LDRSGrenoside ward councillor Alan Hooper, left, with Paul Salt, Mark Barlow, Mark Ellis and Cheryl Hall. They all spoke at Sheffield City Council's planning committee to object to plans for new homes on Wheel Lane, Grenoside. Picture: Julia Armstrong, LDRS
Grenoside ward councillor Alan Hooper, left, with Paul Salt, Mark Barlow, Mark Ellis and Cheryl Hall. They all spoke at Sheffield City Council's planning committee to object to plans for new homes on Wheel Lane, Grenoside. Picture: Julia Armstrong, LDRS

An enforcement notice was also served in June 2021, relating to a breach of planning control for storage of materials, shipping containers and equipment on the site and and the construction of footings or foundations on the land.

Committee members were advised during the meeting that legally they must look at the current application on its own merits, unrelated to the past planning history of the site.

Overdevelopment

The site on Wheel Lane is within an area where housing development is allowed. It does not encroach on adjoining green belt land. It is a sloping site that housed a covered reservoir.

A Google Maps image of the land on Wheel Lane, Grenoside, Sheffield where neighbours are opposing an application to build two homesA Google Maps image of the land on Wheel Lane, Grenoside, Sheffield where neighbours are opposing an application to build two homes
A Google Maps image of the land on Wheel Lane, Grenoside, Sheffield where neighbours are opposing an application to build two homes
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Planning officer Sarah Hull said that the application made prior to the current one was rejected on design, amenity and overdevelopment grounds, a decision that was upheld on appeal.

“The key differences relate to the scale and design of the proposals. A large single-storey extension was removed,” said Ms Hull.

“The overall height, scale and massing were much greater than proposed now. It was much higher than proposed now and higher than number 94. It didn’t reflect the character of the street scene.”

Objector Mark Barlow told the committee that an application by the developer five years ago was passed using officers’ delegated powers and officers acted outside their authority. Neighbours had to go to a judicial review to stop it, he said, adding: “The cost of the judicial review was an unacceptable burden to us but a necessary one”.

Plans submitted to Sheffield Council to build two new homes on land at Wheel Lane, Grenoside. Image: DK DesignsPlans submitted to Sheffield Council to build two new homes on land at Wheel Lane, Grenoside. Image: DK Designs