Creeping changes to city suburb met with tighter planning rules

The Broomhill area of Sheffield has long been popular with students at the nearby university, and minor changes have been made to many houses over a long period of time.

However, it is now thought these have now reached a level where they may be threatening the "distinctive heritage" of the suburb, which lies to the west of Sheffield city centre.

A public consultation exercise was undertaken by the Council's planning department last year – which found more than 75 per cent of locals wanted to see the changes halted.

The necessary legal work has now been carried out, and if members Sheffield City Council's ruling cabinet agree at a meeting on Wednesday, planning permission will be required for householders seeking even the most minor alterations.

In a report to be examined by cabinet members, director of development services Les Sturch explains the so-called "Article 4" direction will preserve the architecture which remains.

He says: "The direction will continue the Council's commitment to preserve the architectural elements which make up the historic character of the Broomhill conservation area.

"It will ensure that future development is carefully controlled through the planning process, preventing incremental, unsympathetic building repairs and alterations."

If approved, the new regulations will force the owners of both domestic and commercial properties to carry out "traditional, sympathetically designed and sustainable building proposals".

According to the report, new planning guidance will be issued to residents, owners, developers and architects who are hoping to undertake projects in the Broomhill area.

Under the new regulations, some so-called permitted development rights – which allow owners to make minor alterations without planning permission – will be removed altogether.

Instead, planning permission will have to be gained to carry out even small jobs such as changes to doors and windows in order to preserve "special historical character".

Although owners are required to apply for and gain permission before carrying out any work, a charge will not be made in the way it is for a regular planning application.

Mr Sturch's report says the direction will apply to 1,018 properties within the boundaries of the Broomhill conservation area, and will also include some commercial premises.

Almost 800 residents were consulted by letter and the proposed controls and an accompanying map showing the streets concerned was also available between October and December last year.

Planners asked whether people supported the tighter rules, with 190 people responding and 75.3 per cent confirming their support. A second question asked what residents would like to see conserved.

Mr Sturch's report says: "The top answer with 12.2 per cent was in connection with the conservation of original architectural features particularly doors, windows, landscaping, shopfronts, kerbs and gates.

"The second highest concern among residents with 9.6 per cent concerned the number of student houses and houses in multiple occupation. Residents requested greater restrictions on the number of houses being converted."

A similar direction is already in place in the Nether Edge area, which acted as a pilot for planners. This area is also popular with students and landlords who let houses to multiple occupants.