Open spaces to be sold for housing

Two areas of open space in Sheffield will be sold off for housing despite objections from residents and councillors.

Land at Junction Road in Woodhouse and Daniel Hill Street in Walkley will both be developed.

Daniel Hill Street is one of an initial batch of 25 sites up for disposal and financial support for the work has been provided by government agency Homes England.

Seven terraced houses once stood on the land but were demolished as part of slum clearance. The land, opposite Ruskin Park, is classed as an informal open space as the council allowed it to become overgrown.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the finance and performance policy committee heard objections from six residents.

Councillor Martin Phipps said: "A lot of these objections focus on the value of the open space.

"From reading the objections, it comes across that this is what is well valued as green space, opposite the park as well, supporting biodiversity in the area.

"As highlighted by the objectors, it has been referenced by council officers in the past as an important open space.

"The disposal of this land would only facilitate the construction of two houses, which is not a significant amount. I believe it holds more benefit to residents and the city staying as an open space."

The committee approved the plans, with Councillors Phipps and Terry Fox voting against.

The sale of the land at Daniel Hill Street forms part of a wider disposal project of 260 council-owned sites.

The Woodhouse site is proposed for sale jointly with a private landowner for housing and has been agreed subject to contract and planning.

The council said the draft proposal would provide about 42 affordable homes, whose sale would result in a capital receipt and council tax revenue for the council.

The committee agreed the Woodhouse proposal unanimously.

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