North Area Panel Minutes 21st June 2006

NORTH AREA PANEL

Meeting held 21st June, 2006 at Zion Hall, Oughtibridge

PRESENT:		Councillors Trevor Bagshaw (Chair), Patricia Fox, Alan Hooper and Graham Oxley.

		Also in Attendance:-
		Matt North	-	Steel Valley Project
		John Bownes	-	Development Services
		Elise Gilwhite	-	Sheffield West Primary Care Trust
		Councillor Mike Bancroft	-	Bradfield Parish Council
		Councillor Malcolm Glover	-	Bradfield Parish Council
		Councillor Jack Clarkson	-	Stocksbridge Town Council
		Matthew Rush	-	Area Support Officer
		John Gilpin	-	Parks and Countryside

		Approximately 15 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, Alison Brelsford, Martin Brelsford, Kathleen Chadwick and Vickie Priestley.

2.	LAND AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES BETWEEN HILLSBOROUGH CORNER AND WHARNCLIFFE SIDE
	John Bownes, City Development Unit, Planning Division, gave a presentation relating to the Physical Regeneration Strategy for Sheffield's Upper Don Valley. The Strategy sought to establish a vision for the Valley and identified key actions to facilitate regeneration, investment and development over the next 15 to 20 years.
	Particular reference was made to opportunities for expansion for existing businesses and the creation of new investment opportunities for businesses who wished to locate in the area. Mixed-use areas were also envisaged, together with an increase in leisure opportunities.
	Reference was also made to the enhancement of Claywheels Lane as an important employment location, regenerating under used sites such as the former UCAR site and undertaking significant improvements to the access and infrastructure in that area to realise true development potential. A previous application for housing on the Claywheels Lane site had been refused by the Council's Planning and Highways Area Board and housing on that site would not be considered sustainable given the distance from existing public transport networks and other amenities.
	Environmental improvements were envisaged for Parkwood Springs, consistent with the community vision to create a new high quality urban park in the Upper Don Valley.
	John Bownes explained that the Physical Regeneration Strategy would relate to the Sheffield Development Framework, which was currently being prepared.
	Councillor Trevor Bagshaw (Chair) added that there would be a further opportunity for members of the public to respond to proposals in relation to the Sheffield Development Framework.
	Members of the public asked questions in relation to the Regeneration Strategy and responses were given as follows:-

	Q. Hillsborough Corner was at capacity in terms of the volume of traffic and concern was expressed that additional industrial or other development would increase the volume of traffic and associated pressures at the Middlewood junction, particularly at peak times.

	A. The Council wished to enforce bus lanes at Hillsborough Corner and it had been calculated that up to 5,000 abuses of bus gates occurred each day at that location. Improved signing and enforcement, including the use of closed circuit television would be employed on Hillsborough Corner to enforce these measures. Officers did monitor the bus gate at Hillsborough Corner. With reference to the questioner’s supplementary comment in relation to the effect of the Mottram/Tintwistle By-Pass and its affect on highways in Sheffield, he stated that this would not be considered to have the effect of increasing traffic at Hillsborough Corner which, so long as measures to enforce the bus gate at that location were properly enforced, would operate correctly. It was likely though that the Mottram/Tintwistle By-Pass would increase traffic flow on the Stocksbridge By-Pass.

	The Chair, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw, stated that this issue would be considered further at a meeting of the Council's Culture, Economy and Sustainability Scrutiny and Policy Development Board on 22nd June at 2.00 p.m.. He added that an additional crossing of the river would help alleviate some of the traffic concerns identified.

	Q. There were a number of locations along the river valley where there was no pedestrian path in place and given the benefits of walking for health, could locations where there was industrial development close to the river consider incorporation of pedestrian access along the riverside.

	A. John Bownes stated that there had been investment in the North area for new pathways. The area included the Trans-Pennine Trail and Sustrans promoted long distance paths for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riding. A walk was proposed in the Wortley/Deepcar area. The Five Weirs Walk also ran along the Lower River Don and it was hoped that new developments in the area would incorporate facilities for walking.

	Q. A potential effect of the Mottram/Tintwistle By-Pass would be to increase the level of traffic on the Stocksbridge By-Pass. Stocksbridge Town Council supported the development of the Stocksbridge to Sheffield Rail Line for passenger use.

	A. John Bownes responded, stating that proposals to reopen the line from Stocksbridge to Sheffield as a passenger rail link would need to be discussed further with both Network Rail and the Passenger Transport Authority.

	Q. Would the bridge over the river proposed for the Claywheels Lane site benefit mainly heavy goods vehicles?

	A. The link across the river was likely to be located at Middlewood Road North to Penistone Road North and there needed to be a balance between the creation of employment at such sites as Claywheels Lane and the impact, which such economic activity would bring in terms of increased traffic. The construction of a bridge would be key to any such industrial development.

	Q. Could the developer or developers for the UCAR site be expected to contribute to the adaptation of the Stocksbridge to Sheffield Rail Link for passenger use as part of any planning agreement?

	A. John Bownes stated that this could be fed back to Planning Officers and it was possible that the rail link could also be used for the transfer of goods via rail. It was considered that infrastructure would be developed from funding received as part of the wider development of Claywheels Lane from developers themselves, although there might be some European public sector funding for the site as well.

	The Chair, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw, suggested that members of the public feed back observations in relation to the Upper Don Valley Physical Regeneration Strategy Document to the Council.
	It was agreed that the presentation now received, together with the questions and responses to questions thereon be noted.

3.	STEEL VALLEY PROJECT AND “FUELLING THE REVOLUTION” WOODLANDS PROJECT
	The Panel received presentations from Matt North, Steel Valley Project and John Gilpin, Woodland Project Officer, in relation to the Steel Valley Project and the Heritage Lottery Funded Woodlands Project.
	John Gilpin outlined the aims of the Woodlands Project, which were to undertake renewed management of woodlands to enhance their value for wildlife and local people and to promote access to the woods. Schools were being encouraged to use the woodlands through guided visits and by the provision of educational Materials.
	£2m had been received for capital works to the woodlands over a five year period (which ended in March 2007). Measures had included the felling of trees and improvements to paths, reinstatement of boundaries, site signage and the creation of mixed age woodland.
	The boundaries were being reviewed and work undertaken to reduce incidents of fly tipping and anti-social behaviour, for example through the installation of A frames and gates. Work was also being undertaken with school children to encourage respect for the woodlands.
	Q. Where there any woodland areas open to access for schools in the Oughtibridge area?

	A. The nearest location was Glenhow Park or Wheata Woods. Local schools had been invited and attended events and Matt North added that contact had been made with local schools in relation to their nearest woodland with the aim of arranging activities.

	Q/C The signage in some woodland areas was confusing and a request was made for improved signage.

	A. John Gilpin stated that he would pass this request on to the Forestry Commission Forestry Officer.

	Steel Valley Project
	Matt North, Steel Valley Project, gave a presentation in relation to the latest developments relating to the Project. Future developments included continued partnership working with the Parish and Town Councils and Corus Engineering Steels, the City Council and the South Yorkshire Forest Partnership. The aims and objectives of Project were to manage habitats, encourage access, undertake environmental education projects/interpretation projects and to provide support and advice and training to volunteers and community groups. Work would continue with volunteers and groups and in relation to green space management.
	Consideration would be given to open spaces in residential areas such as the planting of trees and funding for footpaths.
	Work was also undertaken with local schools such as the schools at Bradfield and Stocksbridge and with the local youth service.
	The Stone to Steel Project focused on land around the Wharncliffe and Upper Don area and set out to undertake heritage interpretation, encouraging access to the area by local people.
	Work was also undertaken with local schools in relation to the production of timber and other links to the national curriculum. There was also a guided walks and events programme to promote research of local history and access to the countryside.
	It was agreed that the presentation now received, together with the questions and responses to questions thereon be noted.

4.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
	There were no petitions received by the Panel.
	Members of the public asked questions as follows:-

	Q. There was a wish to establish an allotment site in Oughtibridge and could the Area Panel help in this regard?

	A. Councillor Trevor Bagshaw stated that he could refer the questioner to the Council's Allotments Officer and to the Bradfield Parish Council for further consideration.

	Q. Who managed the area of Beeley Wood?

	A. It was thought that the wood was owned by a series of private owners but more information could be obtained from the South Yorkshire Forest Organisation. Councillor Trevor Bagshaw confirmed that the area was in private ownership.

5.	PARISH COUNCIL MATTERS
	Councillor Mike Bancroft, Bradfield Parish Council, informed the public and Members of the Panel that from 24th July, Haggstones Road would be closed for sewer rebuilding works and concerns had been expressed in relation to the provision of bus services during this time and the possibility that heavy goods vehicles would need to use an alternative route, for example Stockarth Lane.
	Councillor Trevor Bagshaw stated that the Panel would work to ensure that the details of alternative public transport routes/provision were forthcoming and that these were well publicised.
	Councillor Jack Clarkson, Stocksbridge Town Council, commented upon the nuisance from the use of motorcycles on Station Road, Deepcar and reported that work had been undertaken with the South Yorkshire Police to alleviate this problem.
	Councillor Malcolm Glover, Bradfield Parish Council, stated that funding had been acquired for Rural Villages Youth Provision totalling some £90,000 and a Steering Group was being formed. He requested that the Parish Council be informed of likely areas where outreach youth provision might be targeted. The next Rural Villages Forum would take place on 5th July at 7.00 p.m. at the Memorial Hall, Worrall.

6.	MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
	The minutes of the meeting held on 24th May, 2006, were agreed as a true record. Arising from the minutes, the Chair, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw stated that he had been informed in relation to the collection of green waste through the Green Bin Scheme that there were no plans to roll out the Green Bin Scheme further as the previous scheme had been of a ‘one-off’ nature, funded by Central Government grant.

7.	NEXT MEETING
	The Panel noted that the next meeting would be held on Wednesday, 19th July, 2006, commencing at 6.30 p.m., at Lound Junior School, Loundside, Chapeltown.

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