Minutes of North Area Panel 19 October 2005

NORTH AREA PANEL

Meeting held on 19th October, 2005 at Stocksbridge School, Shayhouse Lane, Stocksbridge

PRESENT:		Councillors Trevor Bagshaw, Alison Brelsford, Martin Brelsford, Martin Davis and Alan Hooper.

		Representatives of Panel Partners:-

		Richard Knight, G. V. A. Grimley, Alan Warburton, Corus, Kevin Seaman, Sheffield Futures, Councillor Mathew Davis, Stocksbridge Town Council, Joanne Holt, Sheffield Futures, Andy Rees, South Yorkshire Police, Jo Walker, Stocksbridge Youth Service, J. Featherstone, Headteacher, Stocksbridge High School, Elise Gilwight and Bethan Plant, Sheffield West Primary Care Trust.

		City Council Officers:-
		John Charlton - Lead Manager, North Area
		Anne Blantern - Area Co-ordinator, North Area
		Matthew Rush - Area Action, North Area
		Jason Dietsch - Committee Secretariat
		Sonya Wilde - Stocksbridge Library
		Paul Gordon, Development Services
		Mark Hible – Activity Sheffield
		Marie Croker – Activity Sheffield
		Approximately 40 members of the public, including representatives of Panel partners, attended the meeting.
…………

1.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEMBERS OF THE PANEL
	Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Baker, Kathleen Chadwick, Arthur Dunworth, Patricia Fox and Graham Oxley.

2.	THE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN STOCKSBRIDGE
	The Area Co-ordinator, Anne Blantern, presented to the Panel an outline of the work of a Group meeting to consider the needs of young people in Stocksbridge. Representation on that Group had been forthcoming from the school and the School Council, the West Sheffield Primary Care Trust, Sheffield Futures, Sheffield Homes, South Yorkshire Police, Activity Sheffield, Parks, Woodlands and Countryside, the Library Service, the Steel Valley Project and SHED.
	The Group had grown out of, and attempted to identify, the need to develop a more co-ordinated approach to delivering services and meeting the needs of young people. An initial half-day event at the school brought everyone together with a practical focus on how work could be done to more satisfactorily meet the needs of young people. Several themes were developing including the need for more activities for young people, the provision of health services for young people, developing young people's use of the library and access to information on what services and activities were available, links to TARA and the importance of including representatives of young people in the process.
	Kevin Seaman, Sheffield Futures, stated that a website had been developed for young people in Stocksbridge through the Connexions Centre with the aim of widening the availability of information for young people. The website outlined events for young people including trips to Avimore in Scotland and the Lake District together with the Caledonian Canal. As well as residential trips there were activities available such as scalextric, climbing, enamelling, painting and football. The Centre catered for able bodied and disabled young people and the Breaking Bounds Group held on Friday evenings was intended to integrate disabled young people and non-disabled young people.
	Young people who attended the Centre outlined the type of activities undertaken on residentials including interaction with blind, disabled and children with hearing difficulties in events such as skiing and sailing on a canal boat.
	The Panel were informed that Senior Members of the Club helped to run a Junior Club on Tuesday evenings. In addition young people had a significant input into the development of the website. (Website address www.stocksbridgeconnexionscentre.co.uk) which had proved very successful, but its success had been partially limited by the need for additional funding.
	The progress of the Sheffield Healthy Schools Programme was outlined which aimed to engage young people to improve their health. Bethan Plant stated that meetings had been held with the School Council and activities undertaken including photographic imaging of the Stocksbridge area to identify what, pupils considered, was and was not good about the area. The School had agreed that the School Council be taken out the set curriculum for half a day to use the results of the photograph activity to focus on problems with the Stocksbridge area as perceived by young people
	It had been decided that a young person’s working group should be set up including representatives from the School Council and it was underlined that a significant amount of support had been received from the school and the community. Consideration was being given to redesigning and relocating health and sexual health services for young people. Following a question from a member of the public she stated that the Healthy Schools Programme was to continue in Sheffield and would not be affected by the re-organisation of Primary Care Trusts in the City.
	Mark Hible, Activity Sheffield, stated that a survey had been undertaken in July, 2005, to ascertain activities in which young people participated. Responses had been received by the participation of the High School for which thanks were given to staff at the school and through a Leisure Centre Open Day. The results of the questionnaire would be used to ascertain a baseline of activities and a large demand had been identified for football and activities such as mountain biking. Activities which young people would like to participate in included outdoor activities such as climbing, sailing and tennis. A demand for casual use had also been identified.

	Active Stocksbridge Project
	Mark Hible reported on the Active Stocksbridge Project which had taken place between July, 2004, and August, 2005, using Single Regeneration Budget and Neighbourhood Regeneration funding with the aim of increasing activity levels in the Stocksbridge area. The Project aimed to involve all sections of the community and included after school activities such as dance, basketball and girls football. Temporarily, two Development Workers had been employed and provision had been made for young people and older people and those adults with special health needs. Holiday provision was also included in the Project.
	Partnership working included contact with other local clubs and volunteers, the Library Service, Leisure Centre and Steel Valley Projects, Connexions, WEA and STEP. Other activities included a "Question of Sport" which took place with Bradfield, a Club Promotion Evening and the production of an Active Stocksbridge Guide, which aimed to be a reference for activities available in the area, a volunteer event and the provision of an infant assault course. There were 30 volunteers on the scheme and 48 people gained qualifications such as the Sports Leader Award, sport ability for adapting activities for disabled people and sport coaching. During the Summer of 2005, 600 people attended Active Stocksbridge events with 5,000 people attending events over the life of the Project. In addition, two Clubs had been created namely a badminton club (juniors) and a junior netball team.
	A bid would be submitted in November, 2005, for a three year project aimed at younger people.
	Councillor Trevor Bagshaw, Chair of the Panel gave thanks to those contributing to the presentations on young people in Stocksbridge. A comment was made that Stocksbridge Town Council were pleased to see the results of the Active Stocksbridge Project. However, it was noted that negative behaviour by some young people up to the age of 23 years had been evidenced with 19 recent offences, seven young people receiving Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and damage had been caused to the Oxley Park Skate Park.
	Councillor Martin Davis, representing Stocksbridge Town Council, stated that the Town Council could give grants towards such work promoting the provision for young people and invited bids for grants for projects such as the development of the Connexions Centre Website.
	Councillor Martin Brelsford stated that Active Stocksbridge had promoted interest in sport generally and he hoped that this could be sustained and it would promote further increase in young people's participation in activities.
	Councillor Trevor Bagshaw stated that the Area Panel was supportive of young people in Stocksbridge and wished to participate in promoting activities for young people. He gave personal thanks to those involved in seeking to improve provision for young people in Stocksbridge and suggested that a special article be written, for inclusion in an edition of Look Local, regarding provision for young people.


3.	OUTLINE PLANNING APPLICATION FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON "SITE A", CORUS WORKS, STOCKSBRIDGE
	The Panel received a presentation from Richard Knight, G. V. A. Grimley and Alan Warburton, Programme Co-ordinator for Restructuring, Corus, concerning the development of Site A for residential use at the Corus Works, Stocksbridge.
	Alan Warburton outlined the background to the Project, which had seen the announcement of restructuring at Corus in April, 2003, whereby finishing of steel was to be concentrated at Stocksbridge and further developed with an additional £15m in investment at the Stocksbridge site. The surplus space at the site was subject to a redevelopment brief to ensure a balanced use of the land and a public consultation process had commenced. At Phase 1 of the development, Sites A and B would be developed for which Site A was subject to a planning application and Site B which would not require such application as it would continue to be used for industrial purposes. Further parts of the site (Sites C to G) would be developed in the future Phases of the Project.
	Richard Knight stated that outline planning application would be sought for between 273 and 375 residential units on the site and that an environmental statement had been prepared for the site addressing such issues as transport, flood risk and archaeology. He stated that during the consultation period for the outline planning application, which would cease on 3rd November, 2005, comments would be received on the proposal. The application would then go to the Council's Planning Board as, technically, the development was in breach of the Unitary Development Plan for Sheffield and might be referred to the Secretary of State.
	Key issues involving the development of the site were residential amenity, environmental quality and the development of an employment site. Other considerations included affordable housing provision, design principles and reserve matters (i.e. the details of the application), future investment by Corus, financial contribution by the developer for open space, education, highways and play areas, drainage and ground condition matters A difficulty had been identified in relation to drainage as the site was isolated from the main public sewerage system and it was thought that a self sufficient treatment site could be provided on the site itself.
	Also under consideration was the archaeological impact of the development and access to the nearby by-pass and public transport. Consultation had been undertaken through public notices in the press, in writing to local people and through the Area Panel. It was likely that the City Council would take late representations before the issue went to the Council's Planning Board, which should be submitted to the Council's Planning Officer, Bob Turner, in writing.
	Councillor Trevor Bagshaw stated that the Area Panel was not part of the official consultation process but that minutes of the comments made at Panel meetings would be submitted to the Planning Department. It was affirmed that proper discussion of the matters raised would be needed as people gained knowledge of the detail of the proposal. He offered that, if local people felt they needed further discussion, the Panel could hold a Special Meeting in a similar way to that facilitated for the development brief process by the Panel in which a wide section of the community had been engaged.
	Paul Gordon, Development Services, stated that consultation was extensive during the development brief process and that comments made by the community were serving to inform the next phase of the development process. He reminded people that documentation was available in the Local Library so that people could gain knowledge and give their feedback on proposals. Following a query as to the exact nature of the documentation available, Paul Gordon stated that he would ensure that the Planning Statement and Environmental Impact Statement were available at the Library adding that if people needed greater detail they could contact either the City Council or G. V. A. Grimley direct.

	Q. What was the level of affordable housing to be put on the site and what would provision be for extra care housing?

	A. Paul Gordon stated that there had been a clear message relayed to Officers and Council Members concerning the need for an appropriate percentage of affordable housing to be included on the site and discussions were being held regarding the exact level.

	Q. Councillor Martin Davis expressed concern that there could potentially be accidents on the Eastern access to the site especially for those turning right and a control to properly manage traffic would be required such as a roundabout.

	A. In response, Richard Knight stated that Highways Officers had been consulted and it was acknowledged that there were safety issues to be considered.

	Q. A question was asked concerning investment into the Stocksbridge area from the Corus site.

	A. Richard Knight responded that the land was owned by Corus and investment had been incoming into the Corus Works following the announcement of restructuring. He emphasised that the sale of land for residential development would be made so as to gain maximum value and reassured the questioner that the planning application required the developer to compensate people affected by the development for its impact on the area.

	Q. Councillor Martin Brelsford expressed concern that the level of affordable housing should be 20% as a minimum non-negotiable amount although he understood that this was the maximum percentage of affordable housing which could be expected to be gained for the site. He also stated that the wider picture should be considered and there should be adequate development of medical and schools facilities if more houses were to be constructed so that there were adequate amenities for residents in the long term. He also expressed interest as to how a self-sustaining drainage system might work on the site and generally acknowledged that it was difficult to properly analyse the proposals as there was only outline detail at present.

	Q. Councillor Mathew Davis, Stocksbridge Town Council, expressed concern at the increased use of the A616 By-Pass and potential safety implications should further residential development take place.

	A. Richard Knight stated that the impact of the development had been modelled and Councillor Trevor Bagshaw added that the concerns and local knowledge of people in Stocksbridge needed to be clearly set out to input into the response to the proposals.

	Q. Mark Hible asked whether other services such as the Leisure Centre and other facilities had been considered in the proposals so that there was adequate provision for residents.

	A. Richard Knight stated that in the second phase of the development which remained flexible ideas had been proposed for the development of leisure use.

	Q/C Mark Hible restated that he would like assurance that leisure facilities would be built in to the development of the Corus site and Councillor Trevor Bagshaw commented that it was clear that the community wished for a holistic approach to the development and this would be, made clear when the development brief had been discussed. From the perspective of the Primary Care Trusts, it was suggested that a further meeting to discuss in more detail the proposals and health provision which might be part of proposals following the development of the site.

	Q. A question was asked concerning possible increased noise in Site B, which had been earmarked for industrial use and whether the proposed landscaping would be adequate to suppress such noise.

	A. Alan Warburton stated that Site B had been chosen as a job creation area and noise emanating from the site would be dependant on the kind of use to which the area was put, although it was likely that smaller operational units would be built in that area. He emphasised that the proposed landscape mound would separate the employment zone and remaining Corus owned works from the residential area at Site A. Paul Gordon stated that a range of uses had been proposed for Site B including light industrial and office use through to heavier uses. Such future uses, he stated, were likely to be less obtrusive in terms of noise impact as the melting shop on the site had historically been.

	Q. A question was asked concerning whether the water companies had been consulted as part of the development process.

	A. Richard Knight responded that the City Council, Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water had been consulted in the past 18 months in relation to drainage issues.

	Q. A question was asked concerning education provision by Jan Featherstone, Headteacher, Stocksbridge School, in terms of contribution from the developer for education provision, particularly the need for new classrooms should a development take place and pupil numbers increase and to what extent the school would need to prove the need for new classroom space before monies were released by the developer for education provision.

	A. Richard Knight stated that as part of the development brief there was consultation with the Education Department and should there be enough children to justify an additional classroom block at the High School this would be provided through a Holding Fund which would provide appropriate funding should this be needed and Paul Gordon added that the developer had a duty to mitigate any impact which the development had in relation to education and would contribute to new classroom provision should a significant impact be made on the school.

	Q/C Jan Featherstone stated that numbers were actually falling in terms of pupils in Stocksbridge.

	A. Paul Gordon stated that the result of the development of residential sites at Deepcar and Stocksbridge together would have an impact on the School and would therefore necessitate the use of monies from the Holding Fund. This fund would not be used until the impact of the development on education provision had been proven. Paul Gordon emphasised that the Education Department had stated there would not be enough general education demand in terms of an increase in pupil numbers following the development of the Stocksbridge site alone.

	On behalf of Stocksbridge Council, Councillor Martin Davis stated that he would like to take up the Chairs offer of an additional Panel meeting with representatives from Council Departments and the Primary Care Trust as well as Corus and G. V. A. Grimley representatives so that the Stocksbridge community could respond to the outline planning application.
	The Panel (i) noted the comments made; (ii) gave thanks to those attending the Panel for their comments and contributions and (iii) agreed to arrange an additional meeting of the Panel to facilitate discussion on the outline application for the development of Site A of the Corus Works.

4.	YORKSHIRE IN BLOOM
	John Charlton, Director of Street Force, outlined the results of the Entente Florale Competition for which Sheffield City had won a gold award and received a plaque and sculpture presented by the Chair of the Entente Florale Judging Panel. He stated that the accomplishment of Sheffield had been a genuine team effort and judges had been impressed by the input of the community and Friends of Parks as well as that of Street Force. He outlined the benefits of the Yorkshire in Bloom Initiative, which set out to improve the local environment encouraged biodiversity and establish pockets of environmental excellence. The results of the In Bloom Competition were outlined where parts of the North of Sheffield had achieved particularly well in judging, including Bolsterstone and Bradfield in the small village category, Grenoside and Oughtibridge in the large village category and Chapeltown and Stannington in the small Towns category together with the Stannington Recycling Project and Oughtibridge Millennium Garden Project.
	A site was suggested for a future In Bloom Project in Stocksbridge, namely the Stocksbridge Pride Area. The Chair, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw stated that the Panel could put some small amounts of funding into the In Bloom Initiative and similarly the Town Council could contribute.

5.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
	There were no additional public questions and no petitions received by the Panel.

6.	MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
	The minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 21st September, 2005, were agreed as a true record and as a point of clarification it was stated that the area around the Stubbin Shops, Stockbridge, was that referred to where Street Force had been requested not to cut the flowers as well as the grassed area.
	The Chair, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw reported that additional bus services had been provided through Sheffield College to transport students from the North area and 92 students from the North area attended the College (new College site) and the new College had been successful in recruiting students from the North of the City.

7.	PARISH COUNCIL MATTERS
	Councillor Martin Davis representing Stocksbridge Town Council reported on the completion of the Stocksbridge Pride 1st Phase. He also reported that meetings had been held with the City Council regarding the arrangements for management of Stocksbridge Town Hall by the Town Council and, similarly, a meeting was being held regarding community ownership of the Leisure Centre in Stocksbridge.

8.	DATE OF NEXT MEETING
	It was noted that the next meeting of the Area Panel would be held on Wednesday, 16th November, 2005, at 6.30 p.m. at Chapeltown Library and the Chair, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw, stated that, at that meeting, the quarterly update on highways matters would be considered.

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