Sheffield's green spaces suffering 'death by a thousand pinpricks' from developers, says renowned professor

A renowned professor says Sheffield’s green spaces are suffering “death by a thousand pinpricks” from developments.

Prof Ian Rotherham, author of more than 400 academic papers, articles and books as well as 300 studies, is supporting campaigners who are trying to stop Owlthorpe Fields from being developed.

Councillors rejected plans by Avant Homes to build houses on the wildlife site but the developers have appealed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Prof Rotherham said: “We have to fight on this one because if this site can be lost, anywhere can be lost. It’s death by a thousand pinpricks. Each time there’s a review, we lose a bit more green belt. If any sites should be secured for the future, this must be one of them.

Professor Ian RotherhamProfessor Ian Rotherham
Professor Ian Rotherham

“There are huge benefits from contact with nature and we have a health centre right in the middle of this area. We are delivering all these benefits so there is an argument to maintain and enhance that.”

The land was earmarked for housing by Sheffield Council in the early 1980s and Prof Rotherham says it has always been vulnerable.

“There are classic urban developments where you get a grey zone where farming is not largely viable and that becomes the next expansion,” he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I have worked with some of the big developers over the years and in some situations they acquire land and when it comes to the next Local Plan they put it forward for development. It’s a land bank so it doesn’t matter if a development doesn’t happen for ten or 20 years.

“We may have to compromise with a smaller number of houses. I have worked with developers to look at environmentally friendly housing with wildflower meadows, green roofs and green walkways but this development would be the standard houses.”

Ancient woodland, one of Prof Rotherham’s specialist subjects, forms part of the battle at Owlthorpe Fields.

He said: “Developers don’t accept it’s ancient woodland because it’s not on the inventory but there are trees there which are centuries old and the inventory is not a definitive list, sometimes things are not on it when they should be.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’m one of the national authorities on this and have written policy guidance which has been tested at a national enquiry so I know this is ancient woodland. Very old hedgerows criss cross it, they are hugely important for wildlife and some have strict statutory protection. It is a biodiversity hub.”

He is also concerned a housing development would have wider implications for the region.

“The development will take surface water away from the present watercourse and it will kill veteran oak trees because the stream will dry up. That leads to erosion and you start to lose woodland,” he said.

“It also makes the situation worse downstream to places such as Fishlake in Doncaster. We need to be holding water back in that catchment and this development makes it worse and exacerbates an already critical situation.”

--------------------------

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you'll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click here to subscribe.