Anders Hanson

A grand total of 65 local residents from Carterknowle and Millhouses tonight turned out on a wet November evening to kick off plans for a friends group to protect the future of Abbeydale Grange playing fields and Spring Wood.

Following the closure of Abbeydale Grange School local residents have come together to plan the future of the large green space that formed the old school grounds.  This includes the ancient woodland of Spring Wood, the football pitches at the top of the site all the way back down towards the Bannerdale Centre.  So far the work has been led by the Carterknowle and Millhouses Community Group but they are keen to see a ‘friends’ group to take over the lead on the project.

Sheffield City Council has transferred the management of the site to their property team and they have submitted an application to demolish the old school, which they want to do before the end of the year.  The rest of the site will be subject to a consultation that is being run jointly by the South West Community Assembly (which covers Ecclesall and Millhouses) and South Community Assembly (which covers Carterknowle and Abbeydale).  This is starting off with workshops next week that will include representatives of local groups and users. If you want to be part of it then contact Sarah Lucas in the South Community Assembly office at sarah.lucas@sheffield.gov.uk

Following the Sheffield United planning application in the mid 90s, local residents are understandably concerned about what the council might have in store for the site.  Under the Lib Dems, the site was guaranteed to be protected as local space and hopefully this will continue under Labour.  But importantly, local residents need to have their say and take the lead on coming up with the ideas.  It’s their local area and they matter most.  That’s why it’s good that a friends organisation is being proposed.

At the meeting, a long list of possible ideas were proposed including: improving the network of footpaths, educational use focusing on wildlife, guided walks, working with local schools, wildflower meadow, preserving the ancient hedgerow, keeping the sledging slope, community orchard, quiet/sensory garden, community Christmas tree nursery, allotments, childrens’ play area, natural adventure area, picnic tables, increasing sports use, care farm, off-road parking, and orienteering/geo-caching.  If you have ideas of what you want to see (or don’t want to see) then let me know using the comment box below.

If you want to get involved in a local friends group to help protect the site and make sure it meets the needs of local residents then contact Mike Hodson at mikehodson26@gmail.com

Your local Liberal Democrats in both Ecclesall and Nether Edge wards have a long history of standing up to protect this open space, and we will continue to do so.  But we believe it’s local residents who need to take the lead in planning its future  rather than having it dictated to them by the council and we will do what we can to help achieve it.

Here are the latest planning applications received by Sheffield City Council within the Nether Edge Ward over the last week.

By clicking on the link next to the application you can go to the part of the council website that gives you full details of the application and a way of giving an online response to the application.  You can also respond in writing by contacting the relevant application case officer at: Development Services, Howden House, 1 Union Street, Sheffield, S1 2SH.

7 Fossdale Road - Single-storey rear extension to dwellinghouse.  Application reference: 11/02985/FUL

NOTE: All of the planning applications received by Sheffield City Council can be viewed on the council website.  However to make it easier to identify those that are relevant to the local area, I have just reproduced those that fall within the Nether Edge ward.  I try and do this every week on Monday or Tuesday when the final weekly list is available – although the list of applications is updated on the council website as they come in.  Most planning applications are fairly uncontroversial and as a large part of the ward is in a conservation area many are related to the pruning or removal of trees, however every so often there will be some that are more significant.

The city council’s free insulation scheme has now started in Nether Edge ward.  This means that all homeowners and private tenants can receive free loft and cavity wall insulation.

This scheme started under the previous Liberal Democrat administration to help local residents be greener, warmer and save money all at the same time.  Nether Edge ward was one of the areas made a priority.  Over the next few weeks the council’s energy advisors will be knocking on local doors to fill in a short 5-10 minute form to sign people up for their free insulation – they’ll leave a card to allow people to arrange a different time if people are out.

If you want to contact the council directly about the scheme then there are more details on their website.

The Boundary Commission for England has published its initial proposals for the new constituency boundaries to be used at the next General Election.  A consultation has now started on these proposals and this continues until 5th December 2011.

The initial proposals for South Yorkshire would move Nether Edge ward from the Sheffield Central constituency to a new constituency called Sheffield South West that would also include Graves Park, Beauchief & Greenhill, Dore & Totley, Gleadless Valley and Arbourthorne wards.

Constituency boundaries have traditionally been reviewed about every 10-15 years to make sure that all constituencies are roughly the same size.  This is to ensure that everyone has equal representation within parliament.  Despite this, some constituencies still end up much bigger than others with many urban seats often having much smaller populations than rural ones.  The government has therefore decided that all seats must be a lot closer in size and at the same time there has been a decision to reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600.  There are a number of other rules about how the constituency boundaries are decided and so if you are planning to respond it’s worth reading the rules first to make it more likely that your submission is considered.

Here are the latest planning applications received by Sheffield City Council within the Nether Edge Ward over the last week.

By clicking on the link next to the application you can go to the part of the council website that gives you full details of the application and a way of giving an online response to the application.  You can also respond in writing by contacting the relevant application case officer at: Development Services, Howden House, 1 Union Street, Sheffield, S1 2SH.

Mandarin Oriental, 753 Abbeydale Road – Illuminated double-sided projecting name sign.  Application reference: 11/01779/ADV

Fountside, Oakdale Road - Pruning of tree.  Application reference: 11/02853/TCA

12 Clifford Road- Approval of details reserves from a condition in a previously approved application.  Application reference: 11/02685/COND

55 Cherry Tree Road – Single-storey side extension and provision of side/rear dormer windows including roof light to front of dwellinghouse.  Application reference: 11/02657/FUL

26 Meadow Bank Avenue – New windows, roof windows and sliding folding doors.  Application reference: 11/02551/FUL

17 Alcester Road – Single-storey extension to side of dwellinghouse.  Application reference: 11/02875/FUL

Abbeydale Grange School, Hastings Road – Demolition of school and associated caretakers houses.  Application reference: 11/02871/DPNRG3

22 Brincliffe Edge Road – Removal of trees.  Application reference: 11/02862/TCA

NOTE: All of the planning applications received by Sheffield City Council can be viewed on the council website.  However to make it easier to identify those that are relevant to the local area, I have just reproduced those that fall within the Nether Edge ward.  I try and do this every week on Monday or Tuesday when the final weekly list is available – although the list of applications is updated on the council website as they come in.  Most planning applications are fairly uncontroversial and as a large part of the ward is in a conservation area many are related to the pruning or removal of trees, however every so often there will be some that are more significant.

Here are the latest planning applications received by Sheffield City Council within the Nether Edge Ward over the last week.

By clicking on the link next to the application you can go to the part of the council website that gives you full details of the application and a way of giving an online response to the application.  You can also respond in writing by contacting the relevant application case officer at: Development Services, Howden House, 1 Union Street, Sheffield, S1 2SH.

12 Rupert Road – Replacement of first-floor windows to front of house.  Application reference: 11/02542/FUL

146 Steade Road - Erection of dormer windows to both side elevations and raising ridge height to roof of house  Application reference: 11/02544/FUL

79 Nether Edge Road- Replacement windows to front elevation of house  Application reference: 11/02581/FUL

NOTE: All of the planning applications received by Sheffield City Council can be viewed on the council website.  However to make it easier to identify those that are relevant to the local area, I have just reproduced those that fall within the Nether Edge ward.  I do this every week on Monday or Tuesday when the final weekly list is available – although the list of applications is updated on the council website as they come in.  Most planning applications are fairly uncontroversial and as a large part of the ward is in a conservation area many are related to the pruning or removal of trees, however every so often there will be some that are more significant.

Today it is 100 days since the local elections and Sheffield’s Liberal Democrat Council Group have highlighted the lack of action local people have experienced since Labour took control. Despite Labour’s criticism of the previous administration and the promise of changes, Labour have not amended any of the previous Lib Dem administration’s strategic policies.

Examples of disappointments and dithering highlighted by the Lib Dems include: -

• Failing to change one line of the Council’s ‘Corporate Plan’, which acts as the overarching strategy document that sets out priorities for council officers.
• Failing to carry out much heralded pre-election promises, such as providing the extra funding for SureStart and creating 20mph zones across the whole of Sheffield.
• Performing a number of embarrassing u-turns, including dropping their plan to take £425,000 from local schools and £170,000 from local lunch clubs.
• Describing being a ‘business friendly city’ as a top priority, but so far failing to create any new policies to help the economy and failing to visit any local businesses.
• Cutting important local transport schemes that had been agreed by local councillors within Community Assemblies.

This inaction has been criticised by Cllr Shaffaq Mohammed, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, who has said:

“The first hundred days of a political administration is normally marked by exciting new announcements and lots of action. When the Lib Dems took control in 2008 we announced ways we would improve local people’s lives every few days. However, in Sheffield all we have seen from Labour is a long list of disappointments and dithering.

“Labour have failed to deliver on the promises they made before the election and they are failing to put forward any new ideas on the big issues such as creating local jobs. It’s clear to me that those people who voted for Labour at the last local elections are being severely let down.”

NatWest have contacted their customers to let them know about a new grants scheme they are running for local groups.

In each of their local markets they are offering three community projects the chance to win awards of £6,000 each. NatWest won’t be deciding the winners, but it will be up to local people who know the projects to decide what will benefit the area most.  To be eligible the projects needs to be either a registered charity, a not-for-profit community project or group or a social enterprise.  You do not need to bank with NatWest.

If you know a local charity, organisation or group which you think would benefit, please ask them to register at: www.natwest.com/communityforce by 4th September.

Here are the latest planning applications received by Sheffield City Council within the Nether Edge Ward over the last week.

By clicking on the link next to the application you can go to the part of the council website that gives you full details of the application and a way of giving an online response to the application.  You can also respond in writing by contacting the relevant application case officer at: Development Services, Howden House, 1 Union Street, Sheffield, S1 2SH.

90 Ashland Road – Pruning of tree.  Application reference: 11/02490/TCA

126 Sandford Grove Road - Extension of time period for constructing existing approved two-storey side extension, car port and alterations to bay window to form french windows.  Application reference: 11/02388/FULR

15 Brincliffe Crescent – Removal of tree.  Application reference: 11/02451/TCA

72 Struan Road – Two-storey side extension and single-storey front extension to house.  Application reference: 11/02385/FUL

NOTE: All of the planning applications received by Sheffield City Council can be viewed on the council website.  However to make it easier to identify those that are relevant to the local area, I have just reproduced those that fall within the Nether Edge ward.  I do this every week on Monday or Tuesday when the final weekly list is available – although the list of applications is updated on the council website as they come in.  Most planning applications are fairly uncontroversial and as a large part of the ward is in a conservation area many are related to the pruning or removal of trees, however every so often there will be some that are more significant.

Liberal Democrat councillor for Nether Edge Ward Ali Qadar has announced that he will retire at next May’s council elections.

Ali Qadar has been the councillor for Nether Edge since 1996 and lives on Kingfield Road in the heart of the ward.  He also runs his own firm of chartered accountants on Abbeydale Road.  He has formerly chaired a number of council committees, but is planning to use his retirement to do more work with the other community groups that he is involved with.

You can read more about Ali Qadar’s retirement on The Star website.