To be made available on conservation.ecclesfieldgroups.com [Version dated 2018-11-27 by JP]

Agenda for the Conservation meeting of
2018-11-27 at 19:00 in “The Stocks”

C.    Chair: RT.

D.    Agenda Items

1. To receive and discuss contacts with one of our Councillors regarding Fracking, and whether fracking-waste is going to be processed at Starnhill Close.

2. Whether to comment on the Government’s proposal to extend “permitted development rights”.

X.    Any Planning Concerns. See the penultimate section.

Y.    Any questions or comments on the “Emails received”, “Information watch”, or “Issues remaining”. sections below; or any other business.

Z.     There is not normally a Conservation meeting in December, so we need to confirm, or change the next meeting date, of…
22^th of Jan.
We could also confirm further “4^th-Tuesday” meeting dates of…
26^th of Feb
26^th of March,
23^rd of April,
28^th of May,
25^th of June,
23^rd of July,
no meeting in Aug,
24^th of Sep,
22^nd of Oct,
26^th of Nov.

On the Agenda Items

1. The Government’s consultation on permitted development rights for fracking closes on 25^th October.

2. The Government is consulting on proposals which could extend “permitted development rights” to allow commercial buildings to be demolished and replaced by flats. The most relevant question which I spotted was ...
“Question 1.27: Do you support a permitted development right for the high quality redevelopment of commercial sites, including demolition and replacement build as residential, which retained the existing developer contributions?”
A stated aim of the proposals is to “Support the High Street”. This reminded me of our deliberations on the (currently refused) planning application to demolish the old co-op on the High Street and replace it by flats. I therefore wondered whether the group wanted to make for example, some kind of general comment. Individual members, could always submit their own more specific comments, either referring to the Conservation submission, or not as they wished. Also, if anybody spots any other question in the (47 page) consultation document which we might have a view on, just say. I have just printed out a full copy of the document in case we need to refer to it in the meeting.

The items in the next few sections will not be gone through one by one, but can be discussed in any other business if any member wishes to bring them up.

Communications, e.g. on ecclesfield.conservation@gmail.com.

• We received a further complaint from SM about signs and bright lights outside the player’s bar spoiling the view of the church from Reneville Drive.

• We received an enquiry from AS about the “Ambler family”, listed on the 1861 census with the partial address “46 Ecclesfield”. [The only “Ambler” I found in St. Mary’s Burial Records was a “Louisa Frances, age 43, 1/10/1908, from Hoyland/Barnsley”]

Information watch

• There is an e-petition, to designate Norton Aerodrome as a park and wildlife site, commemorating the part the Aerodrome played in protecting Sheffield during WWII.

• The 12 acres off Butterthwaite Lane and extending behind Keylink on Green Lane is for sale. It currently consists of two storage compounds surrounded by open land, shrubs and trees .

• The Veterinary Surgery in the old Ball Inn is open and has a new new website.

• The Ecclesfield Village History Group will be talking about people’s “Christmas Memories at 3 o’clock on 28^th November in Ecclesfield Library (although a winter-coat might be needed, because they says they are installing a new boiler, and heating might still be off).
  Also on a Wednesday, the Library is trying to get a new coffee club off the ground. Just go along at 10:00 am. The library is also hosting a “free” handbell concert at 7:30 on 12^th December.

• The in-Bloom group hopes to set up this year’s Ecclesfield Christmas tree this Tuesday. Having looked, together with ourselves, at the Parish Council’s grant application forms, they have decided to put the tree up without applying for a grant this year.

• Sheffield have resolved to consult on their plans for charging polluting vehicles within the inner ring road (view the decision on Item 9). Meanwhile, the government is consulting on proposals to regulate CO2 emissions for new cars in the event of no deal with the EU.

• Sheffield City Council has resolved to ensure that 2,000 new homes are built in Sheffield (See item 10). However, I could not find a map, spatial plan, or any reference to the Green Belt.

• Sheffield City Council say that their annual expenditure on “Parks and Countryside” has dropped by 30% in the past 5 years to £3 million [£6 per head, I calculate], and is still under pressure. They have resolved to try to increase income by various means, including by “disposing of low recreational value land ...”. This made me wonder if there was a threat to the open spaces in Ecclesfield.

Issues completed

• Following our last meeting concerns last month about the possibility that the Environment Agency might reduce its penalties for infringement of discharge limits, such as those from fracking. We submitted our comments against the proposal to “benefit some waste activities and installations through a reduction in their subsistence charges”.
  We also emailed an article to The Star, outlining our concerns about this and fracking waste-water processing in Sheffield, hoping that they could publicise it in time for readers to submit their own comments before the deadline. No article was published, however the submitted text was put on our Internet site. There was no time to contact the other papers mentioned at last month’s meeting.

Outstanding issues

If any members can help, or want to bring any of the following up for any other reason, they can do so in any other business.

*      We have a baseline figure for the radioactivity in Blackburn brook, ready to check for any increase, whether due to fracking or any other discharges. However, it occurred to me recently that if anybody can suggest a suitable access point, a measurement upstream of FCC environmental might also be useful.
* I have been experimenting with, but am still not happy with the more secure website at https://ecclesfieldgroups.co.uk/ If anybody has any comments on doing something similar with, or any other aspects of our website, just let me know.
*    Designs for the pop-up, and horizontal banners are still in progress.
*      We have a fireproof trunk for storing archive material. Members might prefer a more generally accessible location if one can be found [As well as perhaps other things such as our Gazebo].
*      We still have plans to survey major trees within the Conservation Area.
*      Sheffield City Council’s alcohol licensing system is still not on-line. This not only makes it difficult for anybody to find out what restrictions apply to any licenses granted in the past, but we may be missing some of their new decisions, since we can only see the latest (2 week?) decisions.

New planning applications

The following planning applications and appeals were found by searching for Ward = “East Ecclesfield”, Parish = Ecclesfield Parish Council”, postcodes S35 9?? and S35 1TE, validated from 11^th Sept to 21st Oct 2018. [You may be able to click on the underlined links, and then the [Documents] tab to see the drawings etc. Otherwise, just go to planningapps.sheffield.gov.uk/online-applications/, then enter the “Ref. No” for the application you are interested in.
The contents of brackets and italics are my interpretation - made after briefly scanning some of the planning documents]

• Application to approve details in relation to condition numbers 3 (Land Contamination Risk Assessment), 4 (Site Investigation Report), 5 (Remediation Works-), 6 (External Materials), 7 (Large Scale Details), 8 (Wheel Cleaning) 9 (Surface Water) and 10 (Driveway Surfacing) of planning permission 17/04925/FUL
  Hole House Farm 239 Whitley Lane Sheffield S35 8RP
  Ref. No: 17/04925/COND1 | Received: Mon 12 Nov 2018 | Validated: Mon 12 Nov 2018 | Status: Awaiting decision
  [2018-11-25 This application is for the approval of details, following last month's grant of permission to demolish the stable and workshop and replace it with a dwelling house.]

• Demolition of attached garage, existing 2 rear dormers removed and replaced with single enlarged dormer, erection of single storey side extension with accommodation in roofspace, single-storey front extension incorporating double garage, erection of single-storey rear extension and 1 new brick chimney (amended description 7.11.18)
  9 Whitley Croft Sheffield S35 9ZS
  Ref. No: 18/03927/FUL | Received: Fri 19 Oct 2018 | Validated: Fri 19 Oct 2018 | Status: Awaiting decision
  [2018-11-25 This is one of the new, large, detached, stone-faced houses on the cul-de-sac off Whitely Lane. No 9 can’t be seen from the lane, but is on the left looking into the end of the close.
  I wondered whether the Council would consider this over-development. The proposed new double garage would be very visible, since it would look down Whitely Croft. Most of the existing garages on the other hand are more modest, being set back and largely out of sight. The new garage would also be joined to the house, and obscure the trees behind it. At the same time, the extension replacing the existing garage is taller than the existing garage, and unlike it, extends to the front of the property. The proposal would therefore bring the house visually closer to the neighbouring No. 7. I am not sure whether the proposed chimney would increase this effect due to its height above the extension roof, or reduce it by putting a visual full stop at the end of the building. On a more general note, the existing houses show a pleasant symmetry, being mostly identical or mirror images of each other. The proposal would defeat this, although I find it difficult to work out from the plans how bad this effect would be.
  On the other hand, both the new garage, the extension and even the new chimney are shown as being below the height of the main roof, and some of the houses on the close do look as if they may be already of similar size. Also, the view which the garage would obscure is of a fence which might not be maintained, and trees which may not be guaranteed to remain visible if the green belt is not protected.

Still pending

• Erection of single-storey side/rear extension (resubmission of 18/00194/FUL
  145 Yew Lane Sheffield S5 9AP
  Ref. No: 18/03858/FUL | Received: Fri 12 Oct 2018 | Validated: Fri 12 Oct 2018
  [2018-11-25 Awaiting decision - See the earlier application below. This is part of the nearest pair of semi-detached houses to Ecclesfield in the row of semis set back from Yew Lane. No 145 is the half of the semi furthest from Ecclesfield, and the extension, although set back, brings the building to what is marked as 800mm to its neighbour.]
  
  

• Single-storey rear extension - the extension is 4.5 metres from the rear of the dwelling house, ridge height no more than 3 metres and height to the eaves of 3 metres
  145 Yew Lane Sheffield S5 9AP
  Ref. No: 18/03553/HPN | Received: Mon 17 Sep 2018 | Validated: Mon 17 Sep 2018 | Status: Decided
  [ 2018-11-25 See above for the replacement application. This initial application was rejected on the basis that the extension was more than twice as wide as the original 1948 building, and therefore required a full planning application ]
  
  

• Erection of a detached dwellinghouse with detached double garage and erection of a single garage to serve existing property 
  Within The Curtilage Of 348 The Wheel Sheffield S35 9ZB
  Ref. No: 18/03341/FUL | Received: Fri 31 Aug 2018 | Validated: Thu 27 Sep 2018
  [ 2018-11-25 Awaiting decision. This is the large house and grounds, largely hidden from the road, just beyond the terrace at the far end of The Wheel. The proposal adds a house and garage for 4 cars.]
  
  
  

• Erection of production and warehouse unit with ancillary offices (Use Classes B2 and B8) including formation of site access, provision of car parking and service yard, and landscaping works
  Land Between 7 And 11 Cowley Way Sheffield S35 1QP
  Ref. No: 18/03189/FUL | Received: Mon 20 Aug 2018 | Validated: Wed 12 Sep 2018
  [2018-11-25 Awaiting decision. Cowley way is the access road into the industrial estate on Smithy Wood. It has its own queuing-lane on the Cowley Lane, just before our J35 M1 roundabout. The proposal includes parking spaces for 67 cars (including 3 spaces designed for use by disable people), 3 motorcycles and 8 cycles would be provided, plus areas for HGV manoeuvring and parking. The travel plan also mentions Car Share South Yorkshire https://liftshare.com/uk/account/register?selectedcommunity=qwwy  ] 

• Demolition of rear porch and erection of a single/ two-storey rear extension to dwellinghouse
  52 Town End Road Sheffield S35 9YY
  Ref. No: 18/03139/FUL | Received: Thu 16 Aug 2018 | Validated: Thu 23 Aug 2018
  [2018-11-25 Awaiting decision This is a middle terrace house. The proposal includes the extension backwards of both the kitchen and a bedroom above]
  
  

• Change of Use of warehouse (Use Class B8) as a gymnastics club (Use Class D2)
  P & H Snacks Direct Ltd 3 Hydra Business Park Nether Lane Sheffield S35 9ZX
  Ref. No: 18/02037/CHU | Received: Fri 25 May 2018 | Validated: Tue 19 Jun 2018
  [ 2018-11-25 Awaiting decision. SCC requested an extension to 14^th August (2018). However, this has now attracted, perhaps 39 letters of support.
  This is an application by Phoenix Gymnastics Academy  https://phoenixgymnasticsacademy.weebly.com/, which I guess is already up and running, offering activities from baby to adult. Unit 3 is some distance from Nether Lane, on the side of the Industrial estate next to the railway line and away from any houses.]
  
  

• Demolition of training facility and single storey building for use as a restaurant with associated drive-thru, car parking and landscaping and associated works and installation of 2 Customer Order Displays with associated canopies
  Land Adjacent South Yorkshire Police Divisional Headquarters The Common Sheffield S35 9WL
  Ref. No: 16/01781/FUL | Received: Thu 12 May 2016 | Validated: Fri 13 May 2016.
  [ 2018-11-25  Awaiting Decision. Apart from a couple of neighbour’s letters to 31^st Jan 2018, I found no activity in the SCC’s planning document list since the 8^th November extension of time (until 31^st December  2016). ]

• Illuminated freestanding 12 metre high totem sign
  land Adjacent South Yorkshire Police Divisional Headquarters, The Common, Sheffield S35 9WL
  Ref. No: 16/01778/ADV | Received: Thu 12 May 2016 | Validated: Thu 12 May 2016.
  [ 2018-11-25  Awaiting Decision - see above.]

• 1 illuminated gateway sign, 6 illuminated totem signs, 1 illuminated panel sign, 2 illuminated freestanding directional signs and 1 post mounted directional sign, 3 post mounted banner signs and 21 parking signs - all non-illuminated
  Land Adjacent South Yorkshire Police Divisional Headquarters The Common Sheffield S35 9WL
  Ref. No: 16/01777/ADV | Received: Thu 12 May 2016 | Validated: Thu 12 May 2016.
  [ 2018-11-25 Awaiting Decision - see above.]

• Ref. No: Provision of one illuminated logo sign, three illuminated individual letter signs and two illuminated fascia signs
  Land Adjacent South Yorkshire Police Divisional Headquarters The Common Sheffield S35 9WL
  Ref. No: 16/01780/ADV | Received: Thu 12 May 2016 | Validated: Mon 16 May 2016.
  [2018-11-27  Awaiting Decision - see above.]

• Erection of a motorway area including proposed facilities building, hotel, filling station, parking facilities for all vehicles, access and circulation internal roads, structured and natural landscaping with outside picnic space and dog walking area, associated infrastructure and earthworks (Town and Country Planning (EIA) Regulations 2011 Schedule 2 proposal) (Amended plans received 11 July 2014)
  Smithy Wood Cowley Hill (Adjoining Junction 35 Of M1 Motorway) Sheffield 35
  Ref. No: 14/01079/OUT | Received: Tue 25 Mar 2014 | Validated: Fri 11 Jul 2014.
  [ 2018-11-25 Awaiting Decision, with an extension of time until 2018-12-31. Pagasus Group have just responded to the objection of August 2018 from the Woodland Trust saying that it “failed to properly consider” the 2018 revision of the National Planning Policy Framework. The response claims that the “Extra MSA application at J35” is supported by “wholly exceptional reasons” and the existence of a suitable compensation strategy. This Pegasus explains means that the decision has to be taken by weighing (alongside other material considerations) the “public benefit” against the “loss or deterioration of habitat…”, and “The test relating to alternative sites ... solely … relates to significant harm to biodiversity.” However, the (alternative?) proposal for a Motorway Service Station on the M1 at Junction 33, showed no further documents since 12 Sept 2017.  http://rotherham.planportal.co.uk/?id=RB2017/1347].
  
  
  

The next SCC Planning Committee meetings are on 16 October and 18 December 2018. Anybody interested may want to check the agendas as they are published at...
democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=373 .

Decided

• Demolition of existing single-storey rear extension and rear conservatory, erection of single-storey rear extension, and rendering of side and rear elevations of dwellinghouse
  27 Nursery Grove Sheffield S35 9XW
  Ref. No: 18/03385/FUL | Received: Wed 05 Sep 2018 | Validated: Mon 10 Sep 2018
  [2018-11-25, Grant Conditionally. The SCC web site “documents” tab is not working so I can’t see what conditions were imposed.
  This is the semi at the very end of Nursery Grove, and appears to involve only the back of the house]

• Alterations and extension to disused barn to form a dwellinghouse (Re-submission of 16/03650/FUL) Lower Butterthwaite Farm 125 Butterthwaite Lane Sheffield S35 9WA
  Ref. No: 17/04006/FUL | Received: Mon 25 Sep 2017 | Validated: Tue 17 Oct 2017.
  [ 2018-11-25 Grant Conditionally: The SCC web site “documents” tab is not working so I can’t see what conditions were imposed.
  From Green Lane, this is the first farm on the right, after the railway bridge. The white square windows and corrugated metal roof of the barn are just visible behind the farm house. The previous submission was rejected, with the “re-cladding in stone”, and “additional dormer window” being mentioned by in the officer’s report. I am not sure what problems the dormer windows create, but they still seem to be in the plans.]

Alcohol Licensing

• I did not find any alcohol Licensing Applications for “Ecclesfield” or “S35 9” in the pending applications list dated 19^th November 2018.