Valley conservationists oppose plans for home at ‘infill’ site

Both the Loxley Valley Protection Society and Bradfield Town Council have objected to the plans to demolish an existing garage and built a new stone detached house at 54 Greaves Lane.

If the development goes ahead, the current property at 54 Greaves Lane would remain and the new property would be built adjacent to it, alongside a public footpath.

Outline plans for the new house have been recommended for approval at the next meeting of Sheffield Council’s west and north area planning board, to be held on Tuesday, May 10.

Bradfield Town Council has objected on the grounds of “garden grabbing”, while the Loxley Valley Protection Society said placing the new house opposite the side of 56 Greaves Lane will create an “unwelcome tunnel effect” which will “overshadow and overbear the well-used public footpath.”

The society also said the development would lead to the “loss of attractive garden adjoining a green playing field” and, if the plans are approved, the existing wall and hedges should be kept to “preserve the character of the area.”

Simon Elliott from SEA Planning has submitted a statement to Sheffield Council on behalf of the applicant.

He said: “It is intended that the proposed dwelling would be built to a very high standard, using coursed natural stone and either a flat profile concrete tile or an artificial stone tile.

“The dwelling is to be sited to replace an existing large detached garage, which is also constructed out of natural stone.

“It is considered that the proposed dwelling will not detract from the character of the area and will represent an attractive infill development within this residential area.”

The existing access to the property would be altered to provide separate adjacent drives to both 54 Greaves Lane and the proposed new house.

Mr Elliott said: “It is considered that the use of the access drives to serve the new dwelling as well as the existing property will not have any material detriment on the amenities of neighbouring residents, or the interests of highway safety.

“The vehicular traffic associated with the proposed dwelling will not result in a significant increase in the number of vehicles using Greaves Lane and, as this replicates the access arrangements to the existing dwelling, it is considered that there should be no objections from a highway safety viewpoint.”

City planners in Sheffield have recommended that councillors approve the plans at next week’s committee meeting.

In the report set to go before that meeting, the planning officials say: “It is considered that the orientation between the proposed dwelling and nearby dwellings and the separation distance between them would be sufficient to ensure that there would be no significant harm to the living conditions of existing and future occupiers.

“The siting and dimensions of the proposed dwelling are in scale and keeping with the general character of the street scene and, whilst number 56 is sited on to the street frontage, the proposed siting and use of stone facing materials would reflect the character of the retained building and complement its setting.

“The proposal provides sufficient garden space for the retained dwelling and for the proposed dwelling.

“It is considered that the proposed dwelling can be accommodated without overdeveloping the site and would provide sufficient amenity and parking facilities for both properties.

“Particular weight has been given to the sustainable location, the ability of the site to accommodate a development in keeping with the character of the locality, and its mitigation of issues of neighbourliness.”