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Report re Plans for Ellesmere Green
REPORT FROM CITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION, PLANNING SERVICES
BURNGREAVE AREA PANEL
PLANS FOR ELLESMERE GREEN
Purpose of report
To update members of the Area Panel on consultations carried out on ‘public realm’ works to improve and create a high quality focus around Ellesmere Green. The works at the Green are the first phase of Spital Hill Regeneration, which will see an improved streetscape from the Green to Caborn’s Corner and Spital Street. The improvements to Ellesmere Green will be carried out by Sheffield City Council, whilst negotiations are continuing with Tescos to pay for, and be responsible for, works to Spital Hill, Caborns Corner and the boundaries of their site (subject to their agreement and a planning permission tied to a legal agreement). Tesco submitted an outline planning application on the 4th May 2007 which is awaiting validation subject to the receipt of additional information.
Introduction
On February 22nd 2007,the Panel received a report outlining plans to create a new outdoor market area, together with a much improved public space and new paving and landscaping in surrounding areas. Since that time, discussions have taken place with the public, local traders and others with a direct interest in the proposals. Issues raised related, particularly, to the following:
Removal of the Public Toilets
Traffic Circulation
Servicing Arrangements for Shops
Parking
Revised plans will be available at the meeting.
Toilets
The plans propose the removal of the existing toilets, a measure which has proved unpopular with some local people, but the consultations carried out indicated little desire to keep the present facility and, probably, little wish to use the present facilities. An alternative is being provided within Sorby House, which would be open during office hours Monday to Friday. This facility, properly signposted and advertised, both on the Green and elsewhere, would be likely to be used much more than the present toilet, as it will be under supervision, although it is recognized that it would not be available on a Saturday, except if an event were going on at Sorby House.
Concerns have been raised that there would be no toilet facility for drivers of buses terminating at the Green. Whilst this is the case, Vestry hall management have confirmed that, although not open generally to the public, bus drivers could use their facilities, so long as they identify themselves. In addition, both Gower Arms and Royal Oak public houses would have no objection.
The Police have confirmed they would be supportive of the closure of the existing facility and replacement at Sorby House.
Toilet facilities would not be provided, on site, for traders on Market days, but the Sorby House facility would be available and Markets Division confirm that traders tend to make arrangements for themselves, in this regard.
On balance, it is considered that replacement of the toilets with facilities in Sorby House, is the more beneficial course of action.
Traffic Circulation
Discussion with local businesses has focused, in particular, on the traffic circulation envisaged for local roads. As a result of these discussions, and the need to prevent traffic congestion on Spital Hill, the previous proposals to allow one way access from Spital Hill into Earsham Street have been changed. The proposals now provide no direct vehicular access from Spital Hill at this point. Instead, two way traffic would be allowed between Hallcar Street and Earsham Street and would have two particular advantages:
q There would be straightforward two way circulation from Gower Street and Carlisle Street for businesses in that area
q Pedestrians could walk up Spital Hill to the shops and new market facility and beyond, without having to cross a road at this point, thus allowing more seamless paving and enhanced planting.
Reaction to this change, from those affected, has been positive.
Servicing Arrangements for Shops
Shops fronting onto Ellesmere Green- It is proposed that a rear servicing and parking facility be provided, as front servicing will not be possible except during the early morning. This rear facility will also allow for bin storage for the shops.
Shops fronting onto Gower Street- Here, there are problems, as the existing situation is far from satisfactory. Front servicing is possible, but can obstruct traffic on Gower Street. There is significant illegal parking on the pavement along the length of the shop frontage, which has been the subject of adverse public comment. The proposals indicate that servicing and parking would be from the rear, by completing the Clun Road public car park being constructed to be used by visitors to Vestry Hall. There would be bin storage accessible from the car park for the shops as well (at present, bins and rubbish are left at the front).Bollards would prevent illegal pavement parking. Servicing would also be possible from the stub end cul-de-sac created on Grimesthorpe Road South, near to the entrance to Vestry hall.
There have been no adverse comments to these arrangements, which, we feel will improve the environment greatly, whilst providing acceptable, if not improved, arrangements for shops.
Parking
Parking has been a difficult issue for the area, for some time. A draft parking strategy was produced in early 2006 and considered by the Spital Hill Project Group. This seeks to make the most of existing parking space, whilst limiting the availability of commuter parking in the area. In essence, this involves providing a mix of new off- street parking spaces and introducing short stay parking on-street.
Parts of the strategy can be implemented as part of these proposals, particularly further new parking at Clun Road (for Vestry hall) and Spital Lane. Crucial to the proposals for Ellesmere Green is new short stay parking at each end of that part of Ellesmere Road fronting the Green, to provide for shop customers. These 13 spaces, in fact, exceed the numbers of legal spaces in front of the shops, at present.
Elsewhere, parking spaces will be identified on Earsham Street and Hallcar Street and further towards Carlisle Street. The introduction of a “Business Parking Zone” has been suggested, perhaps in the Sorby Street/ Carlisle Street area. This is still under consideration. All the parking provision mentioned above would need to be the subject of Traffic Regulation Orders and the Area Panel will be kept informed of progress.
Consultation, generally
Generally, the proposals for a new market and event space have been well received. Specific meetings have taken place with businesses affected and the plans have been discussed, at length, by the Spital Hill Project group.
Other matters
The proposals include a facelift for the shops on Gower Street and Ellesmere Road, fronting the green. This would relate to each property above the ground floor shop front and include cleaning brickwork and repointing, new window frames/repairs/ repainting and new gutters (all dependant on the agreement of the building owner).
Included in the scheme are elements of public art, to be the subject of community engagement, later this year. Details of these elements will be provided to the panel in due course.
Funding for the scheme has not been finalized, but we have secured Burngreave New Deal and Housing Market Renewal funds. Application has been made to Yorkshire Forward for South Yorkshire Investment Plan money. In addition, the remaining works for which Tesco would be responsible rely on the progress of the supermarket application and Planning Board decision.
It is anticipated that work will start on site early in 2008
Recommendation
That the Burngreave Area Panel agree the plans, as the basis for applying for planning permission (including the provision of further car parking at Spital Street).
Appendix
Description of the Proposals
An open market for 26 stalls. The proposition, which we have discussed with Markets, is that the Markets will run, initially, weekly, on a weekday (and preferably Friday when there is maximum activity) with potential for occasional Saturday/Sundays.
The stalls will be a mix of traders identified by Markets from across the city (and beyond) and those, identified locally, with the help of BNDfC and other organisations, which will provide the unique element that distinguishes it from other markets. This will allow opportunities for people locally to develop and try new ventures and encourage entrepreneurial activity in the area.
The occasional weekend markets could be focused more on the specialists (art/ crafts, farmers, etc).
The space will be able, at other times, for community events.
Ellesmere Road, opposite the Green, will be closed to traffic, except for servicing the markets and servicing the shops between the hours of 7.30-9.00 a.m. every day. These arrangements will be controlled by a system of rising bollards. A Traffic Regulation Order will be required to enable the introduction of these measures.
The Green itself will be sensitively restructured retaining the majority of the trees, converting the space into a town garden with stunning planting, public art, areas to sit, play and relax. The amount of seating will be greatly increased with a combination of seats with backs, sitting walls and raised planting beds.
The Green will be bounded by an attractive railing, to give a sense of enclosure and reflect the view of people that parents should be able to feel their children were not at risk from traffic. A pedestrian link will connect Spital Hill to the green and then to the Vestry Hall.
Planting will contain plenty of colour with flowering perennials, but will be designed to allow open views across the green, to maintain a safe and open feel.
The existing toilets will be demolished. Alternative facilities will be available in Sorby House during the working day.
All buses using this piece of Ellesmere Road will be re-routed. New facilities will be provided on Gower Street, subject to a satisfactory outcome of continuing discussions with the Passenger Transport Executive.
New paving will be high quality concrete slabs, resin- bonded gravel paths within the green space and flat granite setts to the market/event space.
Some trees will be removed in the proposals, but these are largely the poorer specimens and have been kept to the minimum, bearing in mind the need to create an attractive space for a number of activities.
Lighting in the Green and on the market square will be significantly improved and will include the electrical points for the tree lights, which people value a great deal. Enhanced CCTV for the Green, and surrounding areas, is being investigated.
Chris Birks & Richard Watts
City Development Division
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