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Residents in Sheffield community have a new neighbourhood plan

high street road with buildings either side
Image Copyright: Dave Hitchborne

Residents in Broomhill, Broomfield, Endcliffe, Summerfield and Tapton had the opportunity to have their say on how their communities will be shaped in the future when they voted in a referendum on a Neighbourhood Plan for the area on 6th May. 92% of the valid votes cast voted in favour of the plan. 

Sheffield Council has now voted to adopt the plan and make it part of the city’s Development Plan which sets out priorities for planning and development across Sheffield. The BBEST plan is the first neighbourhood plan to be adopted in Sheffield.

The plan has been led and developed by the BBEST Neighbourhood Forum, under the Localism Act 2011 which gives communities with a designated neighbourhood forum the power to decide planning priorities for their area, such as developing green spaces, identifying locations for new homes and amenities, and influencing plans for infrastructure in the area.

The BBEST Neighbourhood plan has been developed over the past seven years and has included significant community engagement to decide the five key principles proposed in the plan, which include:

  • ‘Environment and Green Spaces’ – designating two local green spaces (Hallamshire Triangle in front of the Hallamshire Hospital and St Marks Green at the Church) to be safeguarded from development.
  • ‘Sustainable and Balanced Community’ – promoting a range of housing types to ensure mixed communities, as well as a policy on housing density and promoting efficient use of land and protecting the character of the area.
  • ‘Broomhill District Centre’ – promoting the longer-term sustainability and vitality of the Broomhill District Shopping Centre, so that residents have services and amenities that are needed and to promote social cohesion in the area.
  • ‘Active Travel’ – improving access and movements around the area for walking, cycling and public transport.
  • ‘Design Development and Heritage Management’ – this will include policies promoting good design and preserving character in the area.

 

The Council has worked with the BBEST Forum to ensure that the plan meets the requirements for adoption as part of the city’s Development Plan.

The neighbourhood plan policies will now be used to inform development within the Neighbourhood Plan area and will be used when determining planning applications alongside national planning policy and local planning priorities.

Councillor Terry Fox, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said:

“The local forum is to be congratulated on their work and commitment in producing the first Neighbourhood Plan in the city. The BBEST Neighbourhood plan sets out a series of principles that will contribute to helping make decisions on future planning applications for the area and will make sure that residents help to shape development in their community.”

Professor Peter Marsh, chair of the BBEST Forum, said:

“After seven years hard work, and a consultation process praised by our independent examiner as exemplary, local people have a new Neighbourhood Plan. In the referendum on the Plan they voted in favour by a resounding majority of 92%. The Plan now adds significant planning policies to protect public spaces, improve the quality of building, encourage different housing types and enhance the retail centre.”

The Neighbourhood Plan and all the associated referendum documents can be found on the Sheffield City Council website here.

For more information about the BBEST Neighbourhood Forum and background information on the Neighbourhood Plan visit http://bbest.org.uk/.