Halls site housing development decision postponed

Councillors were set to approve or reject the plans, from Miller Homes, at a meeting on Monday, but instead they voted to visit the site.

Now, a decision on the development – which would involve building 79 flats and 40 houses and also opening up a landscaped garden area – will be made on Monday, July 12.

The plans have attracted nearly 300 objections over two rounds of public consultation, with opposition coming from local residents as well as Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, in his capacity as MP for Sheffield Hallam, council leader Paul Scriven and organisations including Sheffield Conservation Advisory Group and the Broomhill Action and Neighbourhood Group (BANG).

A spokesman for Sheffield University said: "The university remains confident that the planning board, having visited the Tapton halls of residence site and viewed the development plans at first-hand, will approve the scheme. The quality housing scheme proposed by Miller Homes includes a large area of open space which will be accessible to the general public, and will incorporate some of the fabulous trees that are on the site.

"The approval of this scheme will enable the university to dispose of the old halls of residence site, allowing it to further develop and enhance its academic strategy."

At the same planning meeting, The Walnut Club on Ecclesall Road was granted permission to open until 12.30am for a trial period of six months.

A previous temporary extension to the restaurant's opening hours, which are ordinarily until 11.30pm, expired in May. Council officers will monitor the effects of the temporary extension. Objectors feared noise in the early hours.