North Area Panel Minutes 21st July 2004

NORTH AREA PANEL

Meeting held 21^st July, 2004

In the Fox Room Conference Suite, Corus Stocksbridge Works

PRESENT:

Councillors Trevor Bagshaw (Chair), David Baker, Alison Brelsford, Martin Brelsford, Kathleen Chadwick, Martin Davis and Alan Hooper.

Also in Attendance:-

Councillor Tim Rippon

Representatives of Panel Partners:-

Brian Daniels

-

Corus Engineering Steels

Robert Peters

-

GVA Grimley

Councillor Norman Garratt

-

Ecclesfield Parish Council

Councillor Malcolm Glover                        

-

Bradfield Parish Council

Councillor Sandra White        

-

Stocksbridge Town Council

Councillor Mary Kaye              

Councillor Marion Davis          

Councillor Andrew Cooke

City Council Officers:-

David Curtis

-

Head of Planning Transport and Highways

Graham Broadhurst

-

Street Force

Anne Blantern

-

North Area Co-ordinator

Paul Gordon

-

Planning Link Officer

Sarah Thomson

-

Committee Secretariat

101 members of the public attended the meeting including representatives from Corus, Sheffield Homes and Sheffield West PCT.

……………

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEMBERS OF THE PANEL

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Arthur Dunworth and Graham Oxley and John Charlton.

2.

MINUTES

The Panel received and approved the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd June, 2004, as a true and correct record.

3.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS

There were no public questions or petitions.

4.

DRAFT RATIONALISATION AND REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS FOR THE STOCKSBRIDGE WORKS

Paul Gordon, gave a brief outline on the process of the draft rationalisation and redevelopment proposals for the Stocksbridge Works including details on changes in legislation and the new policy framework.

He added that the draft brief would be submitted to a future meeting of the North and West Planning and Highways Area Board in order to receive approval for development control purposes.

Mr Gordon explained that a number of City Councillors who were  Members of the Panel and were also Members of the North and West Planning and Highways Area Board were unable to express a view on the development proposals.

Corus Engineering Steels

Brian Daniels, Communications Manager, Corus Engineering Steels (CES) gave a presentation on the context of the Development Brief.  He stated that Corus Engineering Steels had announced a restructuring of their business on 29^th April, 2003, which he reported included significant investment in the South Yorkshire area, and which would encompass the closure of Steelmaking and Rolling together with the development of high value finishing at Stocksbridge.

Mr Daniels added that there had been no changes to the scope of the restructuring since the original announcement and reaffirmed that CES had announced that £7.3 million would be invested into the proposed development site.

In conclusion, Mr Daniels stated that CES had defined the new works boundary, in line with the restructuring plan and had been working with their property advisers, GVA Grimley, in the preparation of the draft development brief in order to identify uses for the surplus land arising from the rationalisation programme.  Mr Daniels also stated that the plan provided illustrative layouts, which identified how the sites may be re-developed and which established the framework for planning applications.

GVA Grimley

Robert Peters, GVA Grimley gave a presentation to the Panel, which included details on the Development Brief, the Masterplan, Key Issues, Public Consultation, Post Public Consultation and Implementation of the Development Brief.

Mr Peters stated that a Development Brief would be prepared in order to establish clear boundaries for future operations of CES and to identify and develop brownfield sites.  He added that GVA Grimley had held a number of meetings with officers from Sheffield City Council Highways, Environment, Education and Housing Services in order to frame the brief.

Mr Peters referred to the Masterplan, which highlighted the proposals for the development brief and commented on each individual site proposal.  He added that proposals for each area included the re-development of a number of brownfield sites which would encompass the development of approximately 450 units including mews, town houses and semi-detached homes which would include up to 20% affordable housing, the re-development of the Melting Shop would include a number of manufacturing units and/or a distribution centre, approximately 5,700 sqm of office space with car parking and the proposed mixed use of the Medical Block and Conference Centre which could be demolished in order to develop a small number of retail outlets, restaurants, offices and additional residential properties.

He added that the development could provide new employment opportunities and broaden the employment base in Stocksbridge.  In relation to pedestrian, cycle, car and bus access, Mr Daniels stated that both Stocksbridge and the surrounding area could be improved via two new access points to Manchester Road.

In relation to Key Issues, Mr Peters stated that GVA Grimley were dealing with the re-development of urban land and maintenance of open spaces, potential new economic transportation issues and the increase in traffic.  He added that initial studies had been undertaken in order to tackle noise, air quality, water quality, drainage, flood risk, ecology, archaeology and contamination.

Mr Peters added that the consultation process for the brief had been agreed with Sheffield City Council and would involve consultation with Stakeholders and the local community over a 6-week period between 16^th August, 2004 and 27^th September, 2004.  During this period the brief would be available for inspection at Stocksbridge Town Hall and Howden House in Sheffield and following the consultation period, Sheffield City Council would consider comments made and determine whether any changes to the brief were required.

Following the consultation period, Mr Peters stated that there would be an opportunity to hold a further meeting in order to review the suggested changes, which would be incorporated into the development brief following the consultation process.

Mr Peters anticipated that the first planning applications would be submitted in early 2005 following which, redevelopment of the site would commence in late 2005.

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

Q.

A local resident enquired as to what would happen to the existing railway line?

R.

Mr Alan Warburton, Corus Engineering Steels, stated that following the implementation of the development brief there would be an increase in the volume of primary bar material, which would be transferred from Rotherham to Stocksbridge for finishing which would therefore result in the number of trains increasing to approximately 12 per week.

Q.

A local resident made enquiries regarding a range of issues such as when would the re-development commence, would there be affordable housing included in the development and would traffic management be included in the development brief?

R.

In relation to timescales Mr Peters stated that the re-development would be phased in over a 10-year period.  He added that the development require planning applications to be received and approved by the North and West Planning and Highways Area Board.  Affordable housing would be included in the scheme, which could include a Housing Association.  Mr Peters concluded that concerns regarding traffic and transportation issues were being examined in order to determine the result of the impact of the proposals on the area.  He also added that concerns expressed by residents would need mitigating within the development brief.

David Curtis, informed the Panel that the existing railway would continue to transfer materials from Rotherham to Stocksbridge and that any further proposals would be in addition to the existing rail provision.

Q.

Councillor Martin Brelsford stated that he believed that Outo Kumpu (formally Avesta) were relocating which would leave their premises vacant on the east side of the development and enquired as to how these changes would affect the development brief.  Councillor Brelsford also commented on the public exhibition which was scheduled to be held on the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th, September, 2004 and enquired as to whether alternative dates could be  established as this period would coincide with the end of the Summer Holidays and finally Councillor Brelsford asked whether David Curtis could comment on the likelihood of a light or full railway use.

R.

Mr Peters stated that Corus had held initial discussions with Outo Kumpu who stated that there was a possibility that they may relocate premises but that it was not sufficiently certain and the work had not yet been done to incorporate any changes to the development brief.  He stated that Outo Kumpu may be keen to create a mixed development on their existing site.  If this progresses, it could result in a revision to the proposed development brief at some point in the future.  In relation to the public exhibition Mr Peters stated that Councillor Brelsford’s comments would be taken into consideration.  GVA Grimley have confirmed following the meeting that the public exhibition will be held on 9^th, 10^th and 11^th September 2004.

David Curtis stated that there were no current plans for the railway and added that the railway line would not be re-opened for passenger use. The Government’s Policy however, regarding light rail schemes would affect the City as a whole although he commented on similar light rail schemes in Leeds and Manchester which he envisaged would not progress.

Q.

A Corus employee enquired as to whether the existing slip road would be open and whether car parking spaces would be available for public use?

R.

Liz Green, Highways Consultant, Sanderson Associates, stated that the eastern Works access road would become a public highway.  Access would also be provided to the National Grid which would not be via the proposed residential development.  Alan Warburton, Corus Engineering Steels, anticipated that there would be sufficient car parking spaces for new and existing employees.  Liz Green added that car parking spaces would be included in the proposed development for the new residential areas, retail and warehouse units.  Rob Peters also added that car parking numbers would be as per the City Council’s standards.

Q.

Councillor Malcolm Glover expressed concerns with regard to affordable housing and enquired whether 20% of affordable housing would be included in the brief or whether this figure could change?

R.

Paul Leversidge, Neighbourhoods, commented that negotiations for affordable housing had started at 20% and unless there was a viable reason as to why this figure should change then 20% would remain as the required figure.

Q.

A local resident expressed concern with regard to the proposed number of new homes to be developed and enquired as to whether any additional educational facilities had been included in the development brief?

R.

Paul Gordon stated that discussions had taken place with officers in the Education Directorate of Sheffield City Council to determine what additional facilities would be required for the proposed housing development, adding that discussions were continuing, he also added that he was unaware of any proposal to develop a new school in the area but would keep Members of the Panel informed of progress.

C.

Dave Goodison, representative of Don Valley Railway stated that the group intended to re-open the railway from Stocksbridge to Sheffield  and this he anticipated would provide additional jobs and improve the transport system in the area.

Q.

A local resident enquired as to whether GVA Grimley envisaged any problems in the conversion of a raw material site into residential housing?

R.

Mr Peters stated that Corus had undertaken a number of studies which identified a number of boreholes and areas of contamination which would be examined thoroughly.

Q.

A local resident enquired as to whether the brief could incorporate the provision of public footpaths?

R.

In response Mr Peters stated that it would be possible to include the provision of a footpath within the context of the brief.

Q.

Councillor Martin Davis enquired as to whether one planning application would be received or individual applications as the development progressed.  Councillor Davis added that other infrastructures needed to be examined as a result of the impact of the  potential increase of the town’s population which he anticipated would be approximately 30%.  In relation to the possibility of the relocation of Outo Kumpu, Councillor  Davis stated that their proposals should link to the development brief.  Furthermore Councillor Davis expressed his disappointment with regard to the presentation which he commented had not yet been given to the Regeneration Partnership Group.  In relation to access, Councillor Davis expressed his concern with regard to potential access for the proposed distribution centre onto Manchester Road and added that traffic would increase through the Town Centre which would therefore cause further traffic congestion.  He concluded his concerns by suggesting that Corus apply for European funding to assist them in the development of the brief.

R.

In response to Councillor Davis, Mr Peters stated that he anticipated that a number of individual planning applications would be received from developers which would be considered together.  In relation to consultation, Mr Peters stated that it was difficult to determine which Stakeholders should have been consulted first and added that all Stakeholders would have the opportunity to express their opinion.  Mr Peters commented that GVA Grimley would continue to liaise with Outo Kumpu in order to ensure that if the proposed relocation of their site commenced it could be linked to the Corus development brief.  In response to concerns with regard to traffic congestion, Mr Peters added that the brief provided the ideal opportunity to re-direct traffic onto the A616 which would therefore reduce the volume of traffic congestion through Stocksbridge Town Centre.

Q.

Would it be possible to include an Extra Care Village in the development brief?

R.

Paul Gordon stated that he believed that there were no plans to include an Extra Care Village in the development brief, but Ruth Granger, Sheffield West Primary Care Trust stated that she would investigate the matter raised.

C.

A local resident commented that Stocksbridge Town Centre presently experienced heavy traffic which resulted in difficult parking and traffic congestion and suggested that the development brief was the perfect opportunity to alleviate the traffic congestion within the Town Centre through alternative traffic routes and additional transportation services.  She further added that the next meeting of the Stocksbridge Community Forum would be held on 22^nd September, 2004 in the Victory Club, Stocksbridge and invited members of the Panel to attend the meeting in order to discuss further issues regarding the development brief.

Q.

Stocksbridge Town Councillor Marion Davis expressed concerns with regard to highways safety and stated that the increase in the volume of traffic would put increasing pressure on the Stocksbridge By-Pass and Hillsborough Shopping Centre and suggested that the Stocksbridge By-Pass be converted to a dual carriageway to alleviate the problems envisaged.

R.

Liz Green, stated that initial discussions had been held with the Highways Agency in order to determine what improvements could be carried out to improve the existing junctions which exit the Corus site.  She believed that it would be unlikely that a dual carriageway would be implemented as Corus were not responsible for the land at the side of the By-Pass.

C.

Councillor Martin Davis stated that Sheffield City Council officers should examine all major routes into Sheffield City Centre which would be affected as a result of the re-development of the Corus site as he believed that there would be an adverse affect on these routes.

C.

David Curtis stated that all planning applications would be assessed through the City Council’s Traffic Assessment Scheme, which would determine the type of traffic management schemes required for the Stocksbridge area.  He also added that he believed that the development brief would not add to problems at Hillsborough as existing problems had been reported.  He commented that traffic studies were taking place in Hillsborough in order to investigate and examine methods of improvement to resolve the existing problems.

Q.

A local resident expressed concern with regard to traffic problems which she believed commenced at Carr Road.  She also stated that Corus had been in discussions for over a year regarding the re-development of the Stocksbridge site and commented that staff were not made aware of the meetings held or proposals made.

R.

The Chair  stated that the traffic issues raised were part of the wider issues which needed to be examined following the consultation period.  He added that it would be beneficial for the Panel to schedule a special meeting to determine how the consultation period had progressed. 

Q.

A local resident enquired as to what type of shopping areas had been  proposed within the development brief.

R.

Mr Peters stated that Sheffield City Council agreed to examine a mix of uses, which could include small shopping outlets, offices and restaurants.

Q.

A local resident enquired as to whether the proposals for the re-development included other possible facilities and enquired as to whether additional housing and industrial development was necessary.  He also enquired as to whether a formal health impact assessment had been undertaken to determine whether there were sufficient health services to accommodate the additional residents moving into the area.

R.

The Chair stated that there were still a number of issues which needed to be examined and added that the consultation period would enable GVA Grimley to consider concerns expressed and to examine issues now raised.

Q.

A local resident enquired as to the future of green spaces?

R.

In response Mr Peters stated that GVA Grimley had held discussions with Roger Moss, Corus, to determine how green spaces could be developed.  Mr Peters stated that it was intended to develop green space for public  use although members of the public would be consulted on future green space use through the consultation process.

Q.

A local resident made enquiries with regard to the future of Stocksbridge Town Centre and added that all the area should be regenerated and not just part of the area.

R.

Mr Peters stated that Sheffield City Council’s retail planning policies limit the number of retail outlets possible within the development brief.

C.

Councillor David Baker expressed concerns with regard to the re-developed Middlewood Hospital site and commented that residents had not received the community facilities, which they had originally been promised.  He added that the meeting had highlighted a number of concerns with regard to facilities which had not been included in the development brief including schools, access, transport and railway issues, he also added that the brief needed to show that the concerns now raised had been addressed and included in the final planning proposals.

Mr Peters welcomed the comments received at the meeting and thanked members of the Panel for expressing their concerns.

The Chair expressed his concern with regard to the location of the draft development brief during the consultation process and added that he believed that it would be beneficial to also make the draft brief available in Hillsborough, Stocksbridge and Chapeltown Libraries and on Sheffield City Council’s website in addition to Stocksbridge Town Hall and Howden House, Sheffield. 

Paul Gordon stated that he would ensure that text from the draft brief would be available on the Council’s website on the 16^th August, 2004, following the release of the development brief for consultation.

5.

AREA CO-ORDINATOR’S REPORT

The Area Co-ordinator’s report to be circulated to Members of the Panel with the minutes but to defer for consideration to the next meeting of the Panel.

6.

PARISH COUNCIL MATTERS

This item was deferred until the next meeting of the Panel.

7.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was noted that the next meeting of the Panel would be held on Wednesday, 15th September, 2004 at 7.00 p.m., at a venue in Chapeltown to be confirmed.  It has subsequently been agreed that a Panel meeting will be held to discuss the Brief at Corus on 23^rd September at 6.00pm.  Corus will be present as observers but the purpose of the meeting will be for Councillors and City Council Officers to hear, comment on and debate the local community’s views on the Draft Brief.