Clegg joins retail scheme objectors

Jeni Harvey

DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg has joined forces with more than 150 people from the Sheffield suburb of Crosspool who have objected to plans for a major retail development.

Next week, councillors are set to decide a planning application relating to 340, Lydgate Lane - which sits near the junction of four roads, including the A57 – and currently has the Motorworld shop on the ground floor and flats above.

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If the application is approved, a two-storey extension would be added which would increase the size of the business, which could then be converted into a supermarket. Sheffield Council has received 164 letters objecting to the application, mainly on the grounds of the potential for additional traffic congestion at a major junction.

One of the letters is from Sheffield Hallam MP Mr Clegg, who said: “I understand that many of my constituents have already written with their objections to the planning application.

“I believe that one of their main concerns is about the increase of traffic at an already busy junction, and the dangers this will pose to the children who attend the local schools.

“The other main concern is to the businesses who are already trading in the area.”

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Another objector, Andrew Garth, said: “The retail centre in Crosspool is currently in balance. A new large outlet may well tip this balance, causing existing shops to close.

“There is also a significant road safety issue involved. Some years ago I was involved in a serious road accident at the junction of Lydgate Lane and the A57.

“I believe that the changes to the site would increase the likelihood of further problems here and raise the chance of serious injuries or worse.”

Neighbour Dominic Williams added: “The site is on the busy staggered junction between the A57 Manchester Road, Sandygate Road and Lydgate Lane.

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“Motorworld, with its restricted opening hours and relatively small number of customers, currently presents a tolerable hazard as the staff and customer cars manoeuvre to park outside it.

“I fear that a larger and busier retail outlet would attract far more vehicular traffic to limited parking facilities and would thus pose a danger to other road users.”

Other objectors have claimed that the new business could lead to people parking on local roads, could lead to more pedestrians attempting to cross the busy A57 and would lead to the loss of historical gateposts which once served the now-demolished Lydgate Hall.

Just four letters have been submitted in support of the application, which has been submitted by DLP Planning Ltd, claiming that a new business would add variety to Crosspool and create new jobs.

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One supporter, Nicholas Barrett, said: “I understand that the property will be converted to a convenience store, possibly Tesco. This will create local jobs, well-needed competition for the local Spar shop, and I look forward to its arrival.”

However, city planners have agreed with objectors and have advised councillors to refuse planning permission when the application is considered at a meeting on Tuesday.

In the report which is set to go before that meeting, the planners said: “Many objections consider that the development will be utilised as a convenience store and, whilst permission is not being sought specifically for this, the A1 use class would allow for such an occupier.

“It is likely that there would be an increase of on street parking on nearby residential roads and potentially people may flout traffic regulations and orders which would be to the detriment of highway and pedestrian safety.

“Overall, it is considered that the site does not provide sufficient or suitable arrangements for servicing or parking.”