Darnall Area Panel Minutes 22nd July 2004

DARNALL AREA PANEL

Meeting held 22^nd July, 2004, at Darnall Health Centre (Reception Area), 

2 York Road, Darnall

PRESENT:

Councillors Mohammad Altaf and Mary Lea (Chair) 

Also in attendance:-

Ross Burnett

-

Urban Strategies Inc.

Andrea Gabor

Officers in attendance:-

John Mothersole

-

Lead Manager

Stuart Bolton

-

Area & Neighbourhood Action Unit

Mark Swancott

-

Support Officer

Debbie Merrill

-

Development Services

David Shepherd

-

Neighbourhoods

Joanne Peck

Sarah Thomson

-

Committee Secretariat

21 members of the public and representatives from local community groups attended the meeting.

…………………..

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM PANEL MEMBERS

An Apology for absence was received from Councillor Harry Harpham.

2.

NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL FUND REMAINING ALLOCATION FOR 2004/2005

Stuart Bolton referred to the Area Co-ordinators report previously circulated and added that within the Local Action Plan, £29,500 Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (NRF) remained unallocated.  He stated that the report recommended the commissioning of the funding.

With regard to Handsworth Community Forum it was proposed that £26,500 be allocated to the Forum which would enable them to apply for Community Fund Support in order to continue with the development resources from the SRB4 programme project beyond 2006 and in relation to Darnall Community Resource Centre it was proposed that £3,000 be allocated to the Centre in order to support the services of the City Council’s Architecture and Design Team in the provision of architectural plans for the capital phase of the project which on completion would play a vital role in the development of high quality community provision in the Staniforth Road area of Darnall.

Following due consideration the Panel approved for submission the Handsworth Community Forum NRF allocation to the Technical Committee of Sheffield First for Inclusion for consideration. 

(NOTE: Councillor Mohammad Altaf declared an interest in that part of the Area Co-ordinators report relating to the allocation of NRF to the Darnall Community Resource Centre and did not speak or vote thereon.  In the light of this declaration the meeting was declared inquarate for the consideration of this application; which would now be considered at the meeting of the Panel to be held on 23^rd September, 2004.)

3.

LOWER DON VALLEY MASTER PLANNING

Andrea Gabor and Ross Burnett, Urban Strategies Inc., gave a presentation on the Lower Don Valley Master Planning Project. 

Andrea Gabor stated that Urban Strategies were a Canadian based company who in association with Locum Destination, Jones Lang Lassalle, Peter Brett Associates and PwC were undertaking the Master Planning Project in order to redefine the Lower Don Valley area over the next 20 years.

The presentation included the key goals of the study, the process, the local context and key initiatives for change.

Ms Gabor stated that the study aimed to establish a vision for the Lower Don Valley and Meadowhall area that would guide its re-integration, regeneration and redevelopment over the next twenty years.

Following the presentation the following questions were asked and responses given:-

Q.

A local resident enquired as to whether the site would be cleared prior to any redevelopment work taking place.

R.

John Mothersole stated that Sheffield City Council had applied for funding from Central Government in order to commence the clean up process.

Q.

A local resident expressed his concern with regard to the proposal and the development of additional residential properties which he envisaged would increase the area’s population and enquired as to whether there were any proposals for additional schools and Doctors facilities in the area.

R.

In response John Mothersole stated that additional facilities would greatly depend on the number of new homes built in the area and added that if there was a requirement for additional facilities that such requirements would be incorporated into the Master Planning Framework.

Q.

In his capacity as a local resident, Councillor Shaffaq Mohammad referred to point 19 on the Master Planning document, previously circulated and enquired as to how this would affect Compulsory Purchase Orders and also expressed concern with regard to the impact on traffic and congestion in the Darnall and Tinsley area.

R.

John Mothersole explained that the implementation of the Master Plan meant that the City Council gained control of the whole of the area.  If approved the Master Plan would provide a clear context, which would depend on specific conditions therefore not exploiting the issue.

He added that traffic congestion was a significant problem in the area, and that a traffic consultant was working alongside Sheffield City Council and Urban Strategies in order to identify long-term solutions.

Q.

A local resident stated that traffic issues appeared to be considered at a relatively late stage in the redevelopment process and enquired as to whether traffic issues could be examined earlier in the Master Planning process.

R.

Andrea Gabor stated that traffic studies were being undertaken in conjunction with the Master Planning process and it was anticipated that a number of traffic schemes would be considered including park and ride, car share, road tolls and flexible office working hours.  Ms Gabor added that Sheffield City Council had already provided support in relation to funding issues surrounding the re-alignment of the Supertram.

C.

John Mothersole commented that if the community felt strongly about  traffic issues then they should place emphasis on these issues during the consultation process in order for a structure to be implemented.

Q.

A local resident enquired as to whether local services had been taken into consideration within the Master Planning process?

R.

Ms Gabor stated that local services were being examined as part of the Master Planning process.

Q.

A local resident enquired as to whether the provision of low cost housing would be included within the proposed residential schemes.

R.

John Mothersole stated that he anticipated that there would be a mix of low cost affordable housing including Housing Association housing included within the development.

Q.

A local resident expressed concern with regard to the disposal of Coleridge Road school, which he commented had been vacant for a number of years and enquired as to whether the school facility could be included in the Master Planning process.

R.

John Mothersole stated that Coleridge Road school was not located on a greenfield site; adding that the Master plan coincided with the previous decision made to close the school.  He also added that the City Council would reconsider the decision made to close the school in the light of the development of additional residential housing in the area which could then be incorporated into the Master planning process.

Mr Mothersole added that Compulsory Purchase Orders would be implemented when the Master plan had been adopted.

4.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS

            The following questions were asked and responses given as follows:-

Q.

A local resident referred to the poor quality of the resurfacing work carried out on Kettlebridge Road.

R.

Stuart Bolton stated that he would forward the questioners concerns to Street Force to investigate.

Q.

A local resident requested a progress report on the future of the Star Works accommodation.

R.

John Mothersole stated that Sheffield City Council were looking at the future of the Star Works site and stated that the Darnall Forum were looking at the development of alternative provision.  Stuart Bolton commented that the main users of the site had met with officers from Property Services to discuss options for the Star Works site and had agreed to explore options for relocation.  John Mothersole stated that there would be a further meeting during September 2004, where Sheffield City Council would give a presentation on their proposals for the Star Works site.

C.

A representative from Sheffield Futures highlighted that a follow up meeting with the main users of the site and Sheffield City Council’s Education and Property Service had been agreed for a date later in the year.  In order to eliminate the current rumours surrounding the future of the Star Works site he suggested that a public meeting be arranged.  This would seek to reassure residents that the City Council were not looking to close the building but were seeking to solve the problems and relocate the groups from that site.

Q.

A local resident expressed his concern with regard to a number of bungalows on Pearce Road, which he added were infested with ants.  He enquired as to whether the City Council were able to investigate the matter now raised.

R.

Councillor Mary Lea stated that the problem raised was an Environmental issue and commented that she believed that there was a fee for their services.  John Mothersole stated that he would pursue the enquiry with Development, Environment and Leisure Services.

5.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

            The minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 19th May, 2004, were approved as a correct record.

6.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

            It was noted that the next meeting of the Panel would be held on Thursday, 23rd September, 2004, at 6.00 p.m., at a venue to be confirmed.

Consideration was also given to future Area Panel meetings and the Panel agreed that future meetings would be held at 6.00 pm on the following dates:-

23^rd September, 2004

25^th November, 2004

27^th January, 2005

24^th March, 2005

19^th May, 2005

21^st July, 2005