Planners back developers over opposed bungalow-site homes

A planning application has been lodged by Coda Studios Ltd, which details plans for four detached houses and a pair of semi-detached houses on land between Creswick Greave and Yew Lane in Grenoside, north Sheffield.

The new houses would all have three or four bedrooms, a driveway and front garden, and a backl garden of a “reasonable size.”

The proposals, however, have proved controversial with neighbours, who have submitted 15 letters of objection, plus a petition bearing seven signatures, to Sheffield Council.

One opponent said: “This junction is already used as a drop-off point and turning area for Yewlands College during the week, and the same at weekends for the community centre.

“When you add on the extra through traffic which will be going to the new Asda superstore and the extension to Mansel school, it will become very difficult soon to get off the estate.

“To add more congestion would reduce the quality of life for all concerned, old and new residents alike.”

Another objector told Sheffield Council: “Common sense would dictate at least 10 extra cars will attempt to park in this area regularly, and there is no way they will all fit in with six houses and garages, unless the boundaries of the site are changed.

“We will have cars on the access road and in front of other people’s houses.

“The company that submitted this application should perhaps look at the areas around Parson Cross, within a mile of the proposed site, that are in desperate need of development and where there is ample space and the infrastructure to support it.

“The only reason this site has been chosen is for the S35 postcode and the subsequent hope of greater profit.

“It will do absolutely nothing to improve our area or quality of life – in fact it will make the area look worse.”

Other objectors say that the proposed new development would not be in keeping with the area; the proposed number of parking spaces is not sufficient and there is sufficient land available for such a development elsewhere.

However, city planning officers have sided with the developer and have advised councillors to grant planning permission at a meeting of Sheffield Council’s west and north planning board tomorrow afternoon.

In their report, the planning officials say the blueprints are for houses of an “acceptable design quality” which would “complement the existing mix of house types within the vicinity of the site.”

They add that the site is large enough to accommodate six new homes and “it is not considered that the houses would appear cramped on site, with each of the houses afforded with generous garden curtilages.”

Residents in neighbouring properties would not be adversely affected, the planners claim, as “a separation distance of at least 20m and above would be maintained between the front elevations of the proposed houses to the houses situated immediately across from the site.”

In terms of potential congestion, the planning officers say that the six new houses “would not lead to a significant increase in traffic along the local road network or lead to problems of on-street parking.”

Recommending that the bungalow currently on the site should be demolished and planning consent should be granted for the new homes, the planners conclude: “It is considered that the proposed dwelling houses would make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the surrounding area.

“It is considered that the site can accommodate six dwelling houses on this site without detriment to the character and appearance of the area.”