The Sheffield-based housing company Sky-House has launched new plans for the regeneration and redevelopment of the redundant Hepworth factory site in the Loxley valley.
Sky-House propose to build around 60 single-storey dwellings in a way that cleans up the largely derelict site.
They claim this will “ensure the beauty and tranquillity of the valley is preserved for future generations to enjoy”.
They say their aim is “a national exemplar that Sheffield can be proud of”.
The new proposals follow the rejection of the earlier scheme by the site owners Patrick Properties to build 300 houses.
Sheffield City Council refused planning permission for the 300 houses. The scheme was then rejected by a Planning Inspector following an appeal by Patrick Properties and a five-day planning inquiry hearing.
The Planning Inspector ruled in 2021 that development on that scale would cause serious harm to the Green Belt setting. He also questioned the sustainability of the development.
Friends of the Loxley Valley (FoLV) opposed the earlier development and took part in the planning inquiry alongside CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire.
There were also nearly a thousand objections to the original scheme.
You can see full details of the inspector’s ruling in our earlier news post here: https://friendsoftheloxleyvalley.com/2021/08/11/friends-of-the-loxley-valley-welcome-planning-inquiry-decision/
What are the details of the new scheme?
Details of the new scheme are still emerging. Sky-House have told FoLV that they are now beginning “pre-application” discussions with Sheffield City Council to determine what might be acceptable on the site.
This is with a view to submitting a detailed planning application towards the end of this year.
FoLV have met Sky-House and the site owners Patrick Properties. We have told them why we believe the site is so sensitive, and why we think local people feel so strongly about it.
We have urged them to consult as widely as possible and to listen to a broad range of opinions before applying for planning permission.
FoLV also urged them to spell out their thinking and to make their ideas public so that everyone can have their say. They have now done this on a website they launched this week: https://loxleyvalley.co.uk/
The proposals have also been summarised in a story on The Star website published today: https://tinyurl.com/3twya665
What happens next?
FoLV will consult its membership as things progress. We also trust that Sky-House will consult the many people and organisations who offered views on the earlier planning application.
We hope they will listen carefully to a wide range of opinions, and that these will be reflected in a carefully considered planning application.
Once a planning application is submitted, everyone will have the right to read it and to send their views to planning officers before councillors meet to decide whether to approve it.
At this early stage, we think it’s really important that everyone takes the opportunity to have their say.