Latest News & Events Page
Web Page Update: May 3rd 2022
As ever, a brief summary of events over the past month:
Claire Baker and Sandra Fretwell-Smith have had a couple of meetings with the Head of Planning and the Head of Enforcement at the Council in the last few weeks, and also had a joint meeting with Avant Homes – this is a quick update on those meetings.
As you know the Council served an enforcement notice on Avant Homes and the deadline for compliance passed a few weeks ago. It is readily apparent that things have vastly improved since that notice was served. The roads are generally being kept clean, vehicles are now parking on site and water run-off from the site is being better managed (although admittedly, rainfall amounts have been low of late). Although the deadline for the enforcement compliance has passed, if there are any further regular breaches within the next six months, the Council have said they will prosecute. OAG will continue to have regular update meetings with the Council, so please let us know if you have any issues you would like us to raise. Avant Homes have provided a mobile number for residents to raise concerns or issues. This is not manned all the time, so if it goes to voicemail, please leave a message and someone will call you back. This has been put in place to help us. Please be respectful and don't abuse the number. Conversely, if you leave a message and get no response, please let us know.
The number is: 07584 010478
We have also set up a two weekly liaison meeting with Avant Homes, so again, if there are any issues you would like us to raise and are not comfortable ringing the mobile reporting number, please let us know and we will raise them for you. There are going to be quite a lot of roadworks in the next couple of months and although this is subject to change, Avant Homes have provided some provisional dates for the works:
- 28.4.22 -switchgear delivery into the substation. A hiab (lorry with a crane on the back) with extended reach will be used, but it shouldn’t be more than an hour. Cars will be able to pass on one side.
- W/C- 3 May Permit in place with the Council to start gas installation works on the roundabout (near the medical centre). The footpath will be dug up, but a pedestrian diversion and access will be maintained.
- Weekend of 7-8 May. The road to the medical centre will be completely closed to complete gas works. The footpath near the sales centre will also be affected.
- 16.5.22: Works around the substation to install earthing.
- 19.5.22: Electrical checks in the substation (1 man).
- 9.6.22: Provisional date: Continuation of gas mains lay outside sales centre up toward site car park.
The next meeting with Avant is scheduled for a couple of weeks time. Any update related to the above timetable will be issued herein highlighting any changed dates. There is no date yet when the pipes will be installed from Site E to the attenuation basin – they are waiting on approval from the Council as the footpaths will be closed near the woodland while the work is completed.
Other items discussed with the Council / Avant:
It was raised about the construction litter of which Avant will monitor and pick up when needed.
The extra 5m of land taken by Avant on the southern boundary will be replanted when the retaining wall has been completed.
OAG have asked that the verges be repaired (where they have been damaged by vehicles / plant or where they have been badly reinstated). We are hoping to have a walk with Avant to show them these areas, and the area around the substation will be properly landscaped in due course.
The damaged footpath adjacent to the development (opposite Moorthorpe Dell) will be sorted out when a retaining wall has been built along the edge of the path – the sheet piles will then be removed.
So that's about it for now. A further update will be provided once there is more news.
Claire & Sandra.
Website: https://www.owlthorpefields-actiongroup.org.uk/
Facebook: Owlthorpe Fields Action Group
Email: owlaction500@gmail.com
Twitter: Save_Our_Fields
Instagram: owlthorpefields.
Web Page Update: April 3rd 2022
It's been an action packed month so herewith a précis of events.....
Breach of Planning Conditions:
Avant have continually breached the conditions of the planning permission since they began construction work in September last year. However, after weeks and weeks of ourselves and lots of other local people complaining, an enforcement order was issued by Sheffield Council to Avant Homes on 4th March 2022 giving Avant 28 days to comply with the conditions, after which the Council have said they will be reported for prosecution. An update on this by way of a letter from Clive Betts is to be commended as he has worked tirelessly with local residents to report all these issues and put pressure on the Council to act.
The main issues have included:
· Starting work before 08.00, which is outside the core work hours
· Parking offsite and blocking the road up to the medical centre. A dozen cars and site vehicles have regularly been seen parked offsite having implications for access to the medical centre and making it to appointments on time.
· Failure to provide a wheel cleaning area for vehicles entering and leaving site, resulting in the roads being covered in mud.
· Off-site pollution of the road, ancient woodland and Ochre Dyke.
· Other issues which the Council are investigating including damage to footpaths & the removal of trees which should have been retained.
Pollution of the Ochre Dyke:
Inadequate drainage and the lack of surface water management on the construction site has led to numerous pollution incidents of Ochre Dyke, all of which are wholly unacceptable. The Environment Agency have been called out on many occasions by numerous members of our community and recommendations made to improve the situation (additional silt fencing, drainage pipe, silt socks), which appear to have been implemented. Any further instances of pollution should be reported to the Environment Agency.
Coal Seam:
Avant have exposed a coal seam near the western boundary of the site. This was not surprising as it was stated within the Geotechnical report they submitted with their Planning Application that a seam of coal outcropped in two places on the site and there has historically been much mining activity in the area. Following exposure of the coal, Avant have apparently had to apply to The Coal Authority for a license to remove it.
We are advised that there is no risk from coal gases or spontaneous combustion of the seam, but it remains exposed on the surface.
Ancient Hawthorn Tree:
On a more positive note, we have managed to ensure the continued protection of an ancient Hawthorn tree on the path from Owlthorpe Surgery to the Ochre Dyke Woodland. An SCC Community tree officer visited the site and has negotiated with Avant to relocate the planned sewer manhole away from the tree roots.
We must thank Sheffield Council for this as we have fought hard to protect this ancient tree and had it registered on the Woodland Trust Ancient Tree Inventory. A small victory in the greater scheme of things but a worthy victory nonetheless.
Nest Boxes:
On another positive note, we asked you, the community, via Facebook if you would like us to use some of the funds we made from sale of our 2022 OAG calendars on the purchase of some nest boxes. We received favourable responses to this, so we’ve purchased and installed a variety of different nest boxes to give as many of the local bird species in our fields the opportunity to find a suitable nesting space, given that a substantial area of their habitat has been destroyed. Thanks must go to local bird enthusiast Will Warhurst for offering to make 2 tawny owl, boxes and numerous tit boxes for us and also to Paul, Gary, Christine, Phil, Howard and Sandra for putting the boxes up !
The plan is to inspect the boxes later in the year for evidence of nests which would suggest new offspring in the area, after which any used boxes will be cleared out ready for the following breeding season. Exciting times ahead.....
Also, Gary our treasurer has been working away in his garage making swift boxes for us. In May, a member of Sheffield Swift Group will help us survey where the best places will be to position the swift boxes, ready for next year (2023).
Gary is also going to construct some bat boxes and we will be looking for suitable locations for these once assembled.
Sites C and D:
We are still pushing for what remains of Sites C and D to be removed from the New Local Plan and designated as a site for nature. Sheffield Council CEO has confirmed that as a minimum they will not be marketed or put up for sale until the new draft Local Plan has been agreed. Terry Fox (leader of the Council) also visited the fields and met with us a few weeks ago and I asked him the same question.
We have everything to play for; there will be a need to build houses on some green spaces, so what we must prove over the coming few months is that Owlthorpe Fields is too valuable a green space for wildlife and local people (as opposed to another green space) and should therefore be saved from development.
To help, we would really appreciate if you can log as much wildlife as possible while out and about; this could be anything - a bird, bee, grass, tree or ant, and send it to us with the date, location and a picture. It will all help! We are also thinking of running another bioblitz later in the year too – we’ll let you know nearer the time.
Finally, we are still awaiting the Local Wildlife Site panel meeting (we’ve been told it will be in ‘Spring’), where we are requesting that a Local Wildlife Site (LWS) designation be put onto Sites C and D…..
That's about it. Contact details as ever as those below:
Website: https://www.owlthorpefields-actiongroup.org.uk/
Facebook: Owlthorpe Fields Action Group
Email: owlaction500@gmail.com
Twitter: Save_Our_Fields
Instagram: owlthorpefields
Web page update: March 15th 2022
As of March 8th 2022, Housing Developer Avant Homes have been served with an enforcement notice after it failed to abide by prescribed planning conditions on the Owlthorpe Fields site. The notice requires them to construct an onsite parking compound and install a wheel wash facility amongst others. Depending on who you believe, it seems apparent that neither have been done but if so, they are wholly ineffective. Recent though by no means heavy rains for the UK led to large quantities of mud on the access roads and probably more importantly, incredibly dirty run off into local drains and also Ochre Dyke. Alas, the latter is not the first time this has happened and undoubtedly will not be the last.
The onsite parking compound facility is also a joke. It appears that this can house at most six vehicles but there are regularly eight or ten vehicles still parked half on the pavement up to the surgery and also on the surgery roundabout, the latter on prime grassland and essentially Site D (council owned). If members of the public were to park here on the same regular basis, it is likely that said individuals would be issued with parking tickets.
Of particular frustration is that the above action items should have been completed more than five months ago. The situation illustrates a blatant disregard by Avant Homes for following any sort of development regulations although comments by them stating that all works are being carried out in strict accordance with planning conditions could lead members of the public to believe in fact that they are following building protocol. Alas, local residents know the real truth and it isn't pleasant.
Worth noting as a small positive is a comprehensive email OAG received on March 11th from Khalid Mahmood who is the Planning Enforcement Team Leader with Sheffield City Council. He addressed many of OAG's concerns but only time will tell if AVANT oblige and respond equally positively and actually take action as requested. Only time will tell.
Link to the Sheffield Star article regarding the enforcement order: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cne784z3j17o
Web page update: October 22nd 2021
It has been some time since the last update so as ever apologies for the tardiness at this end. Alas, a lot has happened in the intervening six weeks or so since September 3rd and unfortunately, most of the news is not particularly cheery as those of you who either live locally or have made the trip to the Fields can vouch for.
The information provided below is essentially a summary of updates and information provided in the Owlthorpe Fields Action Group Newsletter and on other social media including that on Facebook, Twitter and in the Sheffield Star.
Construction Work:
You will all have seen the sad demise of Site E, the attenuation pond and play area sites and the shocking pile of trees. Although we knew this was going to happen, the devastation and wilful destruction of habitat and associated wildlife, practically on our doorstep, makes for depressing viewing, particularly so with it being readily visible from the roadside. It really is a sickening sight to think that 30 years of rewilding by Mother Nature has been laid flat in a matter of days. However, as grim a site as this is, the opportunity should be taken to use this to help us fight for and save the rest of Owlthorpe Fields (essentially Sites C and D), by getting the housing designation removed from the Local Plan and instead facilitating their designation as Local Wildlife Sites. We are still doing what we can to save the rest of the Fields and you can help us by raising awareness on social media, sharing and signing the petition (if you haven’t already done so) and letting our Councillors, Sheffield Council, our MP Clive Betts and the media know.
Link to petition: https://chng.it/ScW6CZR7wh
The above 'before' and 'after' photos show the horrendous changes that have taken place in recent weeks. However, the plight of Owlthorpe Fields is not unique in this respect as many similar situations exist throughout the country in which Greenfield sites are being developed before the supply of preferred Brownfield sites has been exhausted. This situation only serves to strengthen OAG's resolve to halt such developments in line with SCC's Climate and Nature Emergency mandates and Central Government's policy of protecting the country's increasingly depleted resource of rewilded Grassland habitats.
Avant Homes are supposed to hold a public engagement session before construction works start and it is anticipated this will be sometime early in December following archaeological investigations (more on the latter later).
As before, if you see any machinery, materials or damage occurring outside of the planning area and outside of the core working hours of 08:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday and 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays, please report it immediately, in writing, to Megan Wilson at Avant Homes, Howard Baxter (SCC Planning Officer), our local Councillors or MP (details below). To protect the rest of Owlthorpe Fields it is important everyone plays a part and stays vigilant.
Also, a couple of people have indeed been subjected to some verbal abuse from Contractors working on the Site. If this occurs, please do report it. (Contact details of those to report issues to can be found in the September 3rd update).
OAG in the Media:
OAG were on Channel 4 News in September as part of a report on Biodiversity Net Gain; they came to film two members of OAG a few weeks before the trees were felled. The link to the report is here: Rules to protect wildlife tilted in favour of developers, say campaigners – Channel 4 News. (For some reason the link doesn't seem to work directly from this update but it does if you type the link into Google)
On September 17th, we also featured in ‘The Mail Online’ in an article about Michael Gove and the planning system. A good proportion of the article was about Owlthorpe Fields and makes for very interesting reading. The link to it is here: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9999977/Michael-Gove-shelved-planningshake-just-hours-named-new-Housing-Secretary.html (Again you may need to type this address into the Google search bar - apologies). Unfortunately, this article was not included in the hard copy of the Daily Mail.
Press Release in the Sheffield Star:
A Press Release was issued in the Sheffield Star during the first half of October. It again served to emphasise the message associated with the tragic demise of Owlthorpe Fields which began on September 1st resulting in a huge pile of felled trees piled up representing a sad legacy of what was once a vibrant wildlife habitat and carbon sink. A number of members of OAG gave their views: 'It was devastating to witness; something that was so full of life and which had grown and evolved over the past few decades to be utterly decimated in a matter of days'.
Witnessing such an enormous pile of trees seems anathema to supposed Government initiatives to plant trees and create a northern forest (both of which OAG fully support) and reinforced the need of OAG to continue their efforts to save the remaining areas of Owlthorpe Fields (Sites C and D).
Another OAG member said 'The climate and biodiversity are at tipping points and there is a need to work together to protect the remaining valuable green spaces, nature sites and carbon sinks such as Owlthorpe Fields. This shocking environmental destruction at a time when nature and the climate is in crisis is of particular importance in the UK, it being one of the most nature depleted countries in Europe, and the level of urgency in protecting and saving similar areas going forward cannot be overemphasised'.
Whilst Developers like to portray campaign groups as NIMBY's, OAG stressed it couldn't be further from the truth and unlike Developers, OAG recognise it is about protecting the future for the next generations whilst ensuring the right houses are being built in the right places, with special focus being on Brownfield sites. If we do nothing and carry on building over existing green spaces, wildlife will continue its rapid decline, CO2 levels will continue to rise and eventually, life as it is now will gradually cease'.
Other groups both locally and nationally are enduring similar fights and as a founding member of Nature Recovery Sheffield, OAG are striving to make Sheffield great for nature again. 'We are determined to stand up for wildlife that doesn't have a voice'.
OAG have stressed they wish to work with the Council and local people to ensure the 230K payment made to offset the biodiversity loss on the development site is used to maximum possible benefit to the local environment and wildlife on and around Owlthorpe Fields. Furthermore, OAG are desperate to see the remaining areas become part of the S20 Wildlife Corridor and be designated as protected areas for Nature.
With the start of COP26 on October 31st, the time to act could not be more pertinent whilst reflecting on whether we are all doing our bit to safeguard the future for our children and our grandchildren. An OAG representative put it succinctly' We are fighting for nature and the climate so that future generations can experience the same excitement as the current and previous generations in seeing hedgehogs, hard-working blue tits feeding their newly hatched offspring, barn owls hunting and other wonderous sights of nature. 'We may have lost the battle to save Site E, but
life is like a war, some battles you win, some you lose, but you never stop fighting for what you believe in !'' In the build up to COP26, key world figures have spoken on the climate including the UK Prime Minister, Greta Thunberg and the 'God' of them all, Sir David Attenborough. But as Greta herself has said, enough blah, blah, blah. We need to see some real action that will make a measurable difference !!
Local Area Committees:
For those unaware of the fact, the Council are setting up Local Area Committees to engage better with the public.
The first SE Sheffield meeting was on 28th September, 18.00 - 20.00: The idea being that members of the public can “meet with their Local Area Committee, share their views about local issues and ask questions.”
There was also a questionnaire; “Sheffield City Council have launched a citywide survey to seek residents' views on their local areas in regard to Local Area Committees. Unfortunately, the survey closed on 12th October 2021.”
Two members from OAG attended the first meeting. There were around 12 regional Councillors and perhaps 50 to 60 people in attendance so not a massive turnout. Of note was the average age of those attending was estimated to be between 40 and 50. In light of this, a pertinent question asked was how the Council intended to engage the younger generation implying those perhaps in their 20s and 30s. Instead, the question was interpreted as being aimed at those in education and the point was made that school and college visits are sometimes made. In spite of the two OAG members being desperate to seek the latest Councillor views regarding Sites C and D and in particular saving them from development, removing them from the Local Plan and designating them as a Local Wildlife Site, tongues were held and instead a more generic question asked regarding the loss of local democracy regarding the Inspector overturning SCC's decision on Site E. Bob McCann replied local democracy was to paraphrase 'Alive and Kicking'.
‘Stopping up Order’ on the Bridleway:
Those who sent emails objecting to the proposed stopping up (permanent closing) of the Bridleway and wishing their objections to remain in place received replies from Neil Crass at the Department of Transport. Apparently, the Secretary of State reviewed the objections (I'm sure he did) and decided he could no longer consider them to be valid objections. The replies stated that he had in fact given careful consideration to the issues raised and considered that they related directly to the planning permission and to the impact of the development rather than any disadvantages that may have arisen as a result of the removal of the existing highway. Apparently, the Secretary of State cannot interfere in any way with the planning permission decision that has been issued and any concerns should be a matter for Sheffield City Council. On this basis, the objections would be removed from their files. In the meantime, the fencing that was illegally blocking public access to the bridleway since May, has since been moved back.
Local Wildlife Site Designation:
OAG are still working closely with Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust (SRWT) to try and get Sites C and D designated as Local Wildlife Sites. We are also still recording the flora & fauna and submitting it to Nature Counts to be checked and approved. We could really do with more people logging; you don’t need to be an expert, you just need to be able to use a camera to take a picture, log where you’ve seen something and then send it to us on an email!
Calendar:
We are just finalising the pictures for the 2022 OAG Calendar; the calendars should be ready in about four weeks. Our plan is to only print a limited number this year (we are unsure of what the demand will be like), so if you would like to reserve one (or more!), please drop Gary an email at owlaction500@gmail.com and title the email ‘Calendar’. As before, we are asking for a £5 minimum donation. Any monies raised will be added to our existing funds and used to fight the development of sites C and D.
Update as of Oct 18th: The 2022 OAG calendars are now ready for sale ! We may be just a teensy weensy bit biased but we do believe they are fantastic and will make a great Xmas present. They are priced at a minimum donation of £5. To order simply e-mail us on owlaction500@gmail.com stating your name, address and quantity that you require.
Petition Update to Save Sites C & D:
The petition stands at 1203 signatures and we also have around another 50 paper signatures. If there are no further COVID restrictions, we will be door knocking in the coming few weeks to try and get those of you that don’t use the internet to sign up. If you can spare a couple of hours to help it would be much appreciated - please drop us an email. As a minimum, we would like to get to 2500 signatures, but if we can get to 5000, the petition will be debated in the main Council meeting which would be much better.
Please note: when signing the petition, it asks for an optional donation; this request is from change.org, not ourselves. We do not get any money donated! You do not have to donate to change.org to sign the petition.
The link to the petition is: https://chng.it/ScW6CZR7wh
Please be vigilant over the coming days / months and report any issues or concerns to the people listed above.
As always, thank you for your continued support.
Best Wishes
OAG members
Website: https://www.owlthorpefields-actiongroup.org.uk
Facebook: Owlthorpe Fields Action Group
Email: owlaction500@gmail.com
Twitter: Save_Our_Fields
Instagram: owlthorpefields
Latest on the 'excavations' on the three sites:
Though not on the same scale as Time Team, and alas no special appearance from Tony Robinson, but 'excavations' in the form of four approximately 20 metre long, 1 m wide and 20 cm deep 'trenches' on Site D where the attenuation pond is to be sited revealed features that led to a brief halt in proceedings. Said features shown in the photos below appeared to be the remains of some old stone walls. Archaeologists came to make appropriate examinations and found examples of ancient pottery. OAG's excitement levels cranked up somewhat but alas, the possibility of the finds being related to the resting place of some great historical British figure (akin to Richard the Third beneath a car park in Leicester) were quickly dismissed apparently by the Archaeologists and it is likely that such features are in fact of lower historical values (a cludgie being one possibility). Let's hope similar finds in the future are of greater significance.....we can but hope !
Promised update: September 3rd 2021
Apologies for the lack of an update of late but herewith... in fact, there will be another update to follow shortly thereafter that unfortunately is a little more depressing in its nature.
‘Stopping up Order’ on the Pathway:
The stopping up (permanent closing) is with regards to an historic Bridleway that runs adjacent to the tarmac path. We initially thought this was in relation to the tarmac path, but Sheffield Council have confirmed this is not the case and Avant Homes have advised the tarmac path will remain open.
For those who submitted an objection, you will have received a letter from Avant Homes attempting to address any issues raised. If you remain dissatisfied with their response please write back to the Secretary of State letting him know if you wish your objection to remain in place or not. The Bridleway has been fenced off illegally since May.
Signage:
Avant Homes submitted a planning application for a sign to be erected on Site E. This has now been approved and the sign will be erected this week (W/C 30th August).
:
Site Works:
Now that the planning conditions have been approved and bird nesting season finishes on 31 st August, works on Site look like they are about to start. We received the following email from Avant Homes last week:
“As promised, by way of update, I can confirm that work will commence on-site in early September. An ecologist will visit the site prior to clearance works beginning and will conduct a walkover survey and provide our contractors with a ‘toolbox talk’.
“Our application for the erection of sales signage has also been approved by the Council, and the sales sign will be installed next week.”
It is believed that the attenuation pond (near the bottom roundabout), drainage and the play area are going to be constructed first.
We have had confirmation in writing from the Council that no other areas of Owlthorpe Fields will be used other than what Avant Homes have Planning Permission for (the bit within the red lines) on the attached plan.
If you see any machinery, materials or damage occurring outside of the above planning area, please report it immediately, in writing, to Megan Wilson at Avant Homes, Howard Baxter (SCC Planning Officer), our local Councillors or MP (details below). To protect the rest of Owlthorpe Fields it is important everyone plays a part and stays vigilant.
Megan Wilson: megan.wilson@avanthomes.co.uk
Howard Baxter: howard.baxter@sheffield.gov.uk
Ann Woolhouse: ann.woolhouse@councillor.sheffield.gov.uk
Bob McCann: bob.mccann@councillor.sheffield.gov.uk
Chris Rosling Josephs: chris.rosling-josephs@councillor.sheffield.gov.uk
Clive Betts: officeofclivebettsmp@parliament.uk
The building works must comply with the attached Construction, Environment, Management Plan (CEMP); key points are about noise, dust, hours of work (8am until 6pm on weekdays and 8am until 1pm Saturday; no work on Sundays or Bank Holidays). If you see work being done outside of these hours, have any issues with dust or noise (or any other concerns), please inform the people above.
We are still working with Clive Betts and Sheffield Council to save Sites C and D from development. Clive has been extremely helpful and he has asked for a written commitment from the Council that these sites will not be put up for sale, marketed or sold before the new local plan has been adopted. When the new plan comes out for consultation, we will need everyone to object to Sites C and D being re-allocated for housing.
Local Wildlife Site Designation:
We are still working with Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust (SRWT) to try and get Sites C and D designated as Local Wildlife Sites. We’re also still recording the flora & fauna and submitting it to Nature Counts to be checked and approved. We could really do with more people logging; you don’t need to be an expert, you just need to be able to use a camera to take a picture, log where you’ve seen something and then send it to us on an email!
Ancient Hawthorn:
Alison Teal (SCC Cabinet Member for Parks) has agreed to put some security fencing around the ancient Hawthorn Tree on the boundary of Site D and E (see below). The fencing is being erected to protect the tree during the development works.
Walk:
We had a good response to our family walk and everyone who attended said they enjoyed it.
Ribbons:
Ribbons and drawings are still appearing on the fencing; this one appeared recently – I think it’s brilliant (look at the detail!) and pretty much sums things up. No idea who drew it, but what an artist!
Calendar:
We have decided to go ahead and produce a calendar again this year and are starting to pull pictures together. We’ll let you know as soon as they are ready! Any money raised will go into our bank account and will be used to fight any development plans on Sites C and D along with the money we already have.
Nature Recovery Sheffield:
As you may have seen on social media, we have been involved in setting up a group called Nature Recovery Sheffield (NRS) with other groups / organisations in the City. We are trying to get as many people as possible to sign up and commit to start and help nature recover.
Over the coming months, there will be lots of info about the small things you can do in your gardens to help, or if you want to get involved in bigger projects, please get in touch with NRS. Either way, please sign-up and together let’s get 30% of land and water in Sheffield back to being great for nature. If you want to have a look and sign up, the link to the website is NATURE RECOVERY SHEFFIELD | Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust (wildsheffield.com)
Petition Update to Save Sites C & D:
The petition stands at 1110 signatures and we also have around another 50 paper signatures. If there are no further COVID restrictions, we will be door knocking in the coming few weeks to try and get those of you that don’t use the internet to sign up. If you can spare a couple of hours to help it would be much appreciated - please drop us an email. As a minimum, we would like to get to 2500 signatures, but if we can get to 5000, the petition will be debated in the main Council meeting which would be much better.
Please note: when signing the petition, it asks for an optional donation; this request is from change.org, not ourselves, we do not get any money donated! You do not have to donate to change.org to sign the petition.
The link to the petition is below – please sign and share it far and wide! Every member of your family can sign it. Link to petition: http://chng.it/w4MMLHnJ7R
And Finally:
So it looks like our fight to save Site E ends this week; it’s sad for the wildlife, trees and flowers that call it home. We tried so hard - dedicating hours and hours of time writing emails, updates, researching & surveying; we’ve spent thousands of pounds of your money (that was amazingly donated, thank you), our own money and we have had the most amazing support locally, from within Sheffield and beyond, and we are extremely grateful for that support and all the encouragement.
We will continue to fight to protect and save Sites C and D from development.
Please be vigilant over the coming days / months and report any concerns or deviations from the CEMP.
As always, thank you for your continued support.
Best Wishes Claire (on behalf of OAG)
Website: https://www.owlthorpefields-actiongroup.org.uk/
Facebook: Owlthorpe Fields Action Group
Email: owlaction500@gmail.com
Twitter: Save_Our_Fields
Instagram: owlthorpefields
Apologies for the lack of an update of late. Hopefully, an update should appear on the website this coming Friday (September 3rd), but if not, certainly over the weekend. The update will include information on:
- 'Stopping up order' on the pathway
- Signage
- Site works
- Local wildlife site designation
- Ancient hawthorn
- Family walk in July
- Ribbons on the fencing
- Calendar
- Nature Recovery Sheffield
- Petition update to save sites C & D
CAMPAIGNING TO PROTECT OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
Sign our On-Line Petition to save
Sites C & D of Owlthorpe Fields - AND
Join us for a Family Walk - Saturday 24thJuly
Male Kestrel perched on fencing around Site E, photographed by local resident Phil Jackson
Why a Petition and Walk now ?
You can help carry on the fight for the other two sites of Owlthorpe Fields (C and D) - and protect them during building work on Site E by signing our e-Petition and come on our Walk. We’ll celebrate our rewilded open space, and you will be able to see the ribbons that have been tied to the fencing by local people and read what they say about Owlthorpe Fields. You may even get to see the beautiful Kestrel shown above!
Group photo: We will be inviting the press to come on the walk, and you can take part in our group photograph to show your opposition to the development of this land.
Win the Prize for best Banner: Create a banner or flag celebrating Owlthorpe Fields and bring it with you - you could win the £50 prize – a One4All Gift voucher - for best design.
Family Walk Details – Saturday 24th July: Meet up at Owlthorpe Medical Centre 10.30 – 10.45am: . . . see overleaf for more details . . .
There will be two short walks to choose from:
- A short walk of about a mile, mainly on tarmacked paths, accessible by wheelchairs, pushchairs etc- approximately 30-40 minutes duration.
- A walk of around a mile and a half, over more earthy terrain – you will need sturdy boots for this walk – approximately 1 hour duration.
- Dogs on a lead are welcome.
- You must of course observe social distancing rules!
There is much still to fight for:
Sites C and D remain unsold, but are still allocated for housing by our Council, so we are urging Sheffield Councillors to:
- Take Sites C & D out of the local plan, and include them in the S20 Wildlife corridor
- Protect Sites C & D from being used to dump excavated material from Site E or to store equipment and/or portacabins during building work.
YOU can help - sign our ONLINE PETITION here: http://chng.it/w4MMLHnJ7R
If you’re not online: you can sign a paper version if you come on our Family Walk, or ask a friend or family member to email us with your name, address and phone number and we will contact you.
View of Sites C and D of Owlthorpe Fields from the top of Moorthorpe Gate
Hope to see you on our Family Walk on Saturday 24th July !
Contact OAG:
Website: https://www.owlthorpefields-actiongroup.org.uk/
Email: owlaction500@gmail.com
Facebook: Owlthorpe Fields Action Group
Twitter: Save_Our_Fields
Instagram: owlthorpefields
Please don’t forget to sign our online Petition: http://chng.it/w4MMLHnJ7R
Owlthorpe Fields Action Group (OAG) - Press Release July 2021
S.O.S. Save our Sites C and D of Owlthorpe Fields
Sites C & D of Owlthorpe Fields from Moorthorpe Gate, near to the junction with Donetsk Way
Reluctantly, we have accepted that planning permission was granted by the Government Planning Inspector in March to allow building on Site E of Owlthorpe Fields, yet we still believe that decision to be ill-judged, deplorable and harsh.
That viewpoint is underlined in recent correspondence from Natural England, received by Professor Ian Rotherham and handed to us. It confirms the inadequacy of the buffer zone protecting Ochre Dyke Ancient Woodland, and the negative long term effects on that woodland. Sadly, the standing advice from Natural England is currently unenforceable, and the Planning Inspector chose to ignore it. In light of climate change and biodiversity loss, we regard his decision to be reprehensible and insupportable.
Map showing the attenuation pond, LEAP (Children's Playground) and the boundaries of Sites C, D and E
Since permission was granted, OAG have focused on efforts to save two other areas of Owlthorpe Fields which remain unsold – Sites C and D. We seek to protect them, and the Ancient Woodland of Ochre Dyke, during the excavation and development work of Site E due to begin in September.
In the longer term our aim is to save Sites C and D from future development. We believe they should be designated Local Wildlife Sites, as recommended by Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, and for them to join the Wildlife Corridor establishing in Waterthorpe, Beighton and Woodhouse Washlands.
To this end, we are liaising with many organisations and individuals, including our MP Clive Betts, Cllr Douglas Johnson (Chair of Environment, Climate Change & Transport), Cllr Bob McCann, and many other councillors across all political parties of the newly elected Sheffield City Council (SCC), as well as Edward Highfield (Director of Sheffield City Growth at SCC), Sheffield Council Planning Department, Professor Ian Rotherham, and Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, to name but a few.
We are very grateful to all the above parties for the very positive discussions we have had with them before, and since, planning permission was granted. They have our sincere thanks, and we look forward to further talks going forward.
The Declaration of a Nature Emergency passed by the newly formed cooperative administration of Sheffield City Council has given us much hope that the issues of climate change and biodiversity loss are being addressed with a passion and vigour Sheffield can be proud of.
It has been, and remains a difficult time for our community. The erection of fencing has saddened and angered many local residents, especially where it was erected inappropriately. OAG understands and empathises with the anger and resentment felt in our communities, but will endeavour to calm the situation, while we work tirelessly to save Sites C and D.
In silent protest, ribbons and drawings have recently appeared tied to the metal fencing. Some have messages written on them about the risk to wildlife, the loss of self-set trees and wildlife habitat, the risk to the Ancient Woodland of Ochre Dyke and the loss to our community of our green open space.
Ribbons tied to fencing surrounding Site E, Owlthorpe Fields
A lady called Vanessa sent OAG a poem (via Twitter):
Inspired by the ribbons at Owlthorpe Fields.
For Owlthorpe Fields
and those who love them
A poignancy of ribbons~
heartstrings tied
to heartless fences
A poignancy of ribbons~
a-fluttering uttering woodcock
“Save our fields!”
Inevitable as air,
seeds will land,
and roots will ripple through earth.
Contact OAG:
Website: https://www.owlthorpefields-actiongroup.org.uk/
Email: owlaction500@gmail.com
Facebook: Owlthorpe Fields Action Group
Twitter: Save_Our_Fields
Instagram: owlthorpefields
Owlthorpe Fields - a Blot on the Landscape - May 2021
First of all, we apologise for the delay in updating our website! Since our last update we have been working very hard behind the scenes, emailing and liaising with ecologists, supporters, councillors and our MP, whilst at the same time, supporting the call for a Nature Emergency in Sheffield which was Declared on 21 May, and was also supported by Sheffield City Council.
By now, many of you will know Avant Homes fencing arrived the week of 17 May and was dumped on Sites E & D of Owlthorpe Fields, much to the dismay of many people in our community.
We have gone from wild nature doing its thing, to caged trees and wildlife awaiting eviction or death and destruction.
Fencing dumped on Site E and even on Site D of Owlthorpe Fields in readiness for the onslaught of destruction in this wildlife habitat.
We wonder if the Government Planning (PINS) Inspector were to see the blossoming of Owlthorpe Fields in May, rather than the bleak and muddy scene he saw on a cold day back in January - would he have come to a different conclusion? Probably not, because planning law allows him to address the loss of biodiversity with a financial compensation. A strange and disgusting concept if ever there was one!
We have gone from this . . . . . . . to this blot on our landscape, and there's worse to come . . .
Erection began last week. As it is bird nesting season we immediately contacted Sheffield City Council and our MP to ask if an ecologist was present on site to advise Avant Homes and contractors. It transpired there was no ecologist present. We asked Avant Homes to halt the operation until an ecologist was attending on Site and this was arranged.
Contractors arrive to erect fencing around the road and path bordering Site E
We also asked why fencing has been erected on Site D near the bottom roundabout on Moorthorpe Gate. Many local people have asked us why this has happened as Site D is not owned by Avant Homes. Our understanding is that Avant Homes has now been asked to remove this fencing, however, at the time of writing it is still in place.
Following our Open Letter of the 13 April (which you can read below), we contacted Kate Josephs, new CEO of Sheffield City Council to ask for a meeting to discuss the development of Site E, and the protection of the remaining Sites C and D.
That meeting took place with Edward Highfield, Director of City Growth at the Council. Our Chair, Claire Baker and Secretary Sandra Fretwell-Smith attended as did our MP Clive Betts. It was an overall positive meeting:
- We have been assured there are currently no foreseeable plans to put Sites C and D up for sale.
- It was agreed that a Liaison Group will be set up so people can voice their concerns.
Attention - all our supporters:
Have you any thoughts on the fencing, the effects on you and people in our community, the effects on wildlife and the habitat of Owlthorpe Fields? Please also feel free to send us your photographs:
Email: owlaction500@gmail.com
We would really like to hear your views.
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Update from 13 April 2021:
The following Open Letter was published in full in the Sheffield Star and was sent to councillors, our MP, and many individuals and organisations...
Open Letter from Owlthorpe Fields Action Group
- 13th April 2021 -
It is with deep regret, Owlthorpe Fields Action Group (OAG) announce our decision to withdraw from a Statutory Review of the Appeal Decision, which gave Avant Homes permission to rip the heart out of Owlthorpe Fields. We may have run out of options for legal recourse, but we will do all we can to save Site E until the bulldozers move in.
We are not giving up the fight. We hold our heads high knowing we do the right thing. In light of the catastrophic loss of biodiversity and climate change we have the moral high ground, and it behoves us to continue our fight. This is not just about Owlthorpe Fields, but a reflection of all life under threat on our planet. Even now at this late stage, we ask Avant Homes to recognise the harm they will bring if they proceed and invite them to think again, and draw back.
Before we explain the reason for our withdrawal, we want to thank everyone for their support, whether by their words, actions or generous donations. We have been, and still are, inspired by the support and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Our Legal Team advised there was a case to answer regarding the Appeal Decision, so it is deeply regrettable that we are unable to proceed due to lack of funds. It was always going to be a big ask for our community to raise £50,000 in such a short period of time (only 6 weeks from the Appeal Decision) and in the midst of a Global pandemic. As Committee Members of OAG we risked becoming personally liable for thousands of pounds we simply couldn’t afford. We are working with Crowd Justice to have any remaining monies put towards community projects in our area.
Since the start of our campaign there have been a few residents who expressed the view that we were wasting our time, that money talks and that the developers would get their way. We are not naive – we understood from the beginning that the odds were stacked against us, but felt it was time to take a stand and fight for what is morally right. The community cherish Owlthorpe Fields – they have watched nature flourish and a rich biodiversity take hold. They also recognise the physical and mental wellbeing it affords.
How did we get here? Where does the responsibility lie?
With Avant Homes certainly. They appealed to central government to overturn local democracy – and won. The disdain they showed for the views of local people is contemptible. On 21st May 2019 they wrote to a mere 112 households and Ward Councillors out of around 2,000+ to advise of their plans. They may have ‘ticked a box’ in terms of consultation with local communities, but we consider their unwillingness to engage to be reprehensible. They even failed to reply to our MP Clive Betts, when he invited them to meetings with the Council and OAG.
To quote from Avant Homes’ website “As a responsible business, we have a duty to be a good neighbour. To walk the walk, with integrity and openness, mindful of environmental and community issues.” We’ll just leave that statement there then eh?
They will no doubt delight in their reward as they concrete over this wildlife habitat. They value the land for the profit it will bring them. We value it in a different way; for the way it makes us feel, for our mental and physical health, for the rich wildlife it attracts and for its environmental benefits, mitigating flood risk and improving air quality. In contrast to Avant Homes, we stand to lose our beautiful self-set trees, grassland, wildflowers and wildlife.
But what of the wildlife? For them it is as simple as it is stark: They will either flee or they will die.
As for Central Government, it beggars belief that in the face of climate change and the huge loss of biodiversity acknowledged globally – it has sanctioned the destruction of a biodiversity rich, rewilded area – provided by nature at no cost and with no human endeavour. At least 850 species have been recorded on Owlthorpe Fields, including 20+ red and amber listed birds, locally rare butterflies and a multitude of other invertebrates; at least five species of bats, specially protected species, many species of trees and hundreds of wildflowers, grasses and fungi. Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust have recommended it should be designated as a Local Wildlife Site.
Central government pay lip-service to their ‘Build Back Better’ mantra and simply want to ‘Build, Build, Build.’ In our view, the decision by the Planning Inspectorate is sheer lunacy in the face of climate change, but it also undermines the democratic process in our Country. The overwhelming majority of 2,000+ residents opposed the development. The Councillors on the Planning Committee rejected it outright, but Avant Homes, with total disdain for the views of local residents and the Council, appealed to Central Government to overturn a local decision – ignoring what passes as local democracy – or at least what’s left of it.
What’s happening here is happening throughout our Country. Campaign groups are facing the same inscrutable machinery of wealth and power. Here in Sheffield, there are sites at Loxley and Hollin Busk also facing appeals - they have our support, we wish them well and really hope they succeed.
What of Sheffield City Council (SCC)?
It was the Council’s decision to put the land up for sale in 2018 that led us here. The decision to sell was taken only several months before SCC declared a Climate Emergency in February 2019. They didn’t stop to consider a review of Owlthorpe Fields, effectively ignoring climate change and the rewilding that had taken place, against the background of the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015 and despite SCC itself having identified grasslands as a conservation priority in their Grassland Habitat Action Plan of 2011.
It’s true that the Planning Committee refused Planning Permission to Avant Homes and also defended their position of refusal at the Appeal – but not on the grounds of ecology or the environment. SCC have been perfectly clear, they still want houses built on Owlthorpe Fields as allocated in 1980’s. That allocation is part of an outdated concept of ‘Mosborough Townships’ which takes no account of ecology or climate change – issues not understood at the time of its allocation.
On 12th March this year the Council held a Climate Summit in which Cllr Terry Fox, deputy leader of the Council stated “We are here to listen to local people with their local ideas & solutions to what is a major challenge for the city.” We acknowledge we have had several meetings with the Council since 2019 in our efforts to protect Owlthorpe Fields. They listened, but said they were powerless to act as the sale of land was agreed subject to planning permission. We also acknowledge that both Clive Betts and SCC have agreed to sit down with us to discuss a ‘masterplan’ for Owlthorpe Fields.
Listening is a starting point - it should be followed by the ‘bold action’ the Council promised in their Declaration of a Climate Emergency. So, we have a bold challenge to propose to Sheffield City Council:
We challenge you, Sheffield City Council, in the face of climate change and the biodiversity crisis, and mindful of the Council’s Declaration of a Climate Emergency, to immediately withdraw Sites C and D of Owlthorpe Fields from the existing Unitary Development Plan and the new Local Plan, and work with Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust and our community to manage these Sites as a Local Wildlife Site and Wildlife Corridor.
Such a move would be welcomed by our local and wider communities. The Council is free to act – the land is not up for sale – there is no legal agreement which binds SCC to sell the land, in contrast to the position when we began our campaign to save Site E.
We deeply regret the Appeal Decision and believe it to be ill-judged and short sighted. There are many who must take responsibility; Avant Homes the developer, the Council Planning Officers and those who dictate policy, SCC for failing to review the housing allocation in light of the Climate Emergency, and undoubtedly Central Government who it seems are able to ignore & dismiss a local democratic decision and believe the obfuscations of a developer.
We are outraged it has come to this, and rightly so. Democracy is undermined, our community feels ignored and powerless, and the environment is under attack.
Prof. Ian Rotherham, a renowned authority on ancient woodlands and landscapes put it brilliantly in his book ‘Shadow Woods’ when referring to areas similar to Owlthorpe Fields:
“You may believe this small acreage matters little, but consider it as a microcosm, consider if other similar habitats are treated with contempt masquerading as planning policy – the continual degradation in biodiversity in the UK will affect the lives of all our children and the wildlife – and on a global scale will result in the downfall of all living things on this Earth.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Owlthorpe Fields Action Group
www.owlthorpefields-actiongroup.org.uk
Twitter: @save_our_fields
Facebook: Owlthorpe Fields Action Group
Instagram: owlthorpefields
Email: owlaction500@gmail.com
Public Inquiry - The Decision
The Appeal brought by Avant Homes has been granted by the Public Inquiry. If you would like to read the Decision document click on the green button directly below.
Owlthorpe Fields Action Group issued a press release immediately following the decision, and you can also read that below.
- OAG Press Release Statement following the Public Inquiry Decision - 3 March 2021 -
OAG are devastated with the decision released on March 2nd by PINS planning Inspector to allow building on Owlthorpe Fields. We consider it to be an absolute travesty that at a time of crisis in biodiversity and climate change, of pandemic and a mental-health crisis, the decision makers continue to take decisions to build on tree-abundant, green and biodiverse areas such as Owlthorpe Fields.
This is a greenfield site, rewilded over decades which according to Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust now meets the criteria to be designated as a local wildlife site.
Sheffield has lost over 75% of its grassland since 1980 and one of Sheffield Council’s stated objectives in their ‘Grassland Habitat Action Plan’ is to: ‘Maintain and increase the conservation value of existing grassland habitat through appropriate management and site protection’.
The decision includes a condition for a financial contribution of £230,400 to be made by the developer for offsite biodiversity, but no amount of ‘biodiversity net-gain funding’ can compensate the wildlife using the area for their loss of habitat – if indeed they survive at all…
Dr Nicky Rivers of Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust reacted to the decision, “I am very disappointed with the decision. Owlthorpe Fields, which link two existing Local Wildlife Sites, could be an important component of a nature recovery network in this area as they already have 20 years of natural regeneration as a head start.”
Dr Rivers went on to say, “The Fields are also of huge value to local people. It has been fantastic to use our expertise to support Owlthorpe Fields Action Group, who have put in so much work to collect evidence on the ecology and to campaign to protect the fields.”
Andrew Wood, Director of Stride Works and OAG's planning witness, said: "We're in a climate and biodiversity emergency. At the appeal we showed that building on Owlthorpe Fields would throw away the amazing opportunity that is there for wildlife regeneration. I hope the Council will now work closely with the local people, who've fought so hard for nature and greenspace at Owlthorpe, to get a much better solution for the rest of the site."
The Planning Committee Councillors voted overwhelmingly against this development at the planning meeting in June 2020 and the decision has now been overturned by someone with no knowledge of the local area and who has taken little account of the opinion of many local people, who objected to the planning application and to the appeal, and appears to have disregarded the highly respected and influential organisations, such as Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust, Campaign to Protect Rural England, Friends of the Earth, Professor Ian Rotherham and many more, who have supported us throughout our campaign.
We want to thank these organisations, and all those individuals who have generously supported us with their efforts in terms of time and/or money – we could not have managed without your help.
The fight for Owlthorpe Fields tells a story of a broken UK planning system, of lip service paid to democracy, of the power wielded by wealthy developers and their disdain for local communities, and of the destruction of the flora and fauna we depend upon.
Owlthorpe Fields may only be a small area of Sheffield but the destruction of our green spaces and farmland is happening all over the UK and is unsustainable. This is evidenced by 748 followers on Twitter, and 1109 on Facebook, many local, but also throughout the country. We cannot, and we should not go on ignoring what nature has been trying to tell us for decades. Today OAG are heartbroken, but this is much bigger than us, and we will continue our efforts going forward – we’ll be back!
- Press release – 14th December 2020
The Woodland of Ochre Dyke
Granted Ancient Status by Natural England
Owlthorpe Fields Action Group is delighted to report the woodland of Ochre Dyke is now officially designated as ancient by Natural England. It will be added to the Ancient Woodland Inventory in their next update.
The designation is based on the expert study of maps and on observations of indicator plant species by local residents, and comes as a result of an application to Natural England by Sandra Fretwell-Smith.
The designation is timely as MPs will debate the National Tree Strategy* on Wednesday 16 December in Westminster Hall.
Professor Ian Rotherham - an esteemed authority of such landscapes – points out that many of the oak trees have been coppiced by woodworkers in the past, and that the trees are much older than would at first appear, due to the slow growth rate caused by our industrial heritage.
The Woodland Trust points out that ancient woodland covers 2.5% of UK landscape, and that climate change and intensive land-use take their toll, but that the most immediate threat is inappropriate development.
In January a Public Inquiry called by the developer Avant Homes, will seek to overturn the wishes of local residents and rejection by Sheffield City Council of their planning application to build on land bordering the ancient woodland.
If planning permission is granted at the Inquiry, the majority of trees on Site E of Owlthorpe Fields will certainly be bulldozed. However, it also puts at risk the woodland habitat of Ochre Dyke - a risk which we believe hasn’t even been considered.
The application plans to divert surface water away from the Ochre Dyke woodland and risks possible tree root disturbance during the building process. There is a further danger of pollutants seeping into the ground water from the newly built estate.
If Avant Homes succeed we risk losing the ancient woodland habitat of Ochre Dyke. It wouldn’t happen overnight, it would be a slow lingering death as trees are robbed of rainwater or weakened by pollutants. There is a risk too to the Dyke itself which could increasingly dry out in the summer months causing a substantial loss of biodiversity throughout the area.
* Find out more about the National Tree Strategy here: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/
Fundraising
We have been heartened by the very many generous donations we have received, and want to say a huge thank you to all who have contributed to help us fight to protect our local environment. We pray you will continue to support our efforts in the face of a planning system which appears heavily skewed in favour of developers. This really should not be the case in the face of climate change and the loss of biodiversity throughout the UK, and indeed globally.
If you want to make a donation, please contact us by email: owlaction500@gmail.com
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Professor Ian Rotherham warns Sheffield’s green space is slowly dying as he supports the campaign to protect wildlife haven
Renowned Professor Ian Rotherham says Sheffield’s green spaces are suffering “death by a thousand pinpricks” from developments. Read Lucy Ashton's article in The Star newspaper by clicking the link below:
https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/environment/professor-warns-sheffields-green-space-slowly-dying-he-joins-campaign-protect-wildlife-haven-3036971?r=7589
You can also read the Professor's blog by clicking the link on the green button below.
Professor Rotherham is a highly respected authority on the environment. He visited Owlthorpe Fields in 2020 and described it as a ‘biodiversity hotspot’.
He said the woodland of Ochre Dyke was unequivocally an ancient woodland with many of its hawthorn and oak trees being much older than previously thought, and must be protected.
He was astounded that all we value could be lost if the Public Inquiry called by Avant Homes overturns the decision of Sheffield Council to reject their planning application. To read his full blog on Owlthorpe Fields, click the button below:
Historic News from October & November 2020
Against the wishes of the local community, and the overwhelming decision of the Planning Committee of Sheffield City Council, Avant Homes are to appeal to the Secretary of State to overturn the local democratic decision.
The appeal will take the form of a Public Inquiry starting on 12 January 2021. We are now fundraising in earnest to raise enough money to be represented at the Inquiry by a planning consultant and lawyer to help us fight to protect our wildlife haven.
The appeal is controversial, not least because 10 out of 12 Sheffield city councillors voted against the application (with 2 abstentions).
Avant Homes make their appeal in the face of growing calls from the Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, Campaign to Protect Rural England, Friends of the Earth, People’s Trust for Endangered Species and many other voices, including Sheffield City Council, to act urgently on climate change, at a local level as well as nationally and globally to mitigate flood risk, air pollution and the need to protect green open spaces for the benefit of local communities, wildlife and biodiversity. Sheffield City Council Declared a Climate Emergency 18 months ago. Future generations will not thank us if we fail to fight.
We will fight the appeal, and therefore need to raise funds to pay for legal assistance. We want to thank those who have already made generous donations to our ‘GoFundMe’ Page, but we are going to need more to pay for professional representation at the Inquiry. Every donation counts. We understand these are difficult days for many, but we ask you to donate if you are able to do so. To donate, click the GoFundMe button on the menu, or click on this link:
https://gf.me/u/ynam9f
For more information: the following article by Lucy Ashton was published in The Star on the 25 September:
https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/council/campaigners-face-new-fight-protect-sheffield-wildlife-haven-after-developers-appeal-2983201
. . . and in the Yorkshire Post on the 26th September 2020:
Back in August this year . . . Himalayan Balsam Blues Day
Thank you, to the twenty or so hardy souls, members of Owlthorpe Fields Action Group, who joined us on Sunday 23 August to protect our native species – Bluebell, Wood Anemone, Greater Stitchwort, Yellow Archangel, Wild Garlic, Lord’s and Ladies and many more, from the shadow of the invasive species - Himalayan Balsam.
To be fair, Himalayan Balsam has very pretty pink flowers, and bees love it too, but it towers over our native species, crowding them out. Its ability to spread is highly effective – each plant produces hundreds of seeds, and these are projected by up to 4 metres away through an explosive release from the seed pod. Would we really want to see all our wetlands, rivers and brooks taken over by this invasive species?
We thought not, and so, with advice from the Wildlife Trust and the Rangers of Sheffield City Council, we decided to meet up to pull the plants out from the roots before they set seed. We were advised by the Rangers not to remove the plants from the sites, but to pile them up, to rot down, away from the water’s edge.
We split into groups working in three separate areas:
1. The wetland area, near the kick pitch, near the Edenthorpe Estate
2. At the bottom end of Moorthorpe Way, to the north of Owlthorpe Fields
3. At the bottom end of Royston Avenue, also to the north of Owlthorpe Fields
We managed to clear practically all the wetland area, and made excellent inroads into the two other areas. It was tough going, although most roots came out easily but Bindweed, Rosebay willow herb, Bramble and Nettle impeded the work. We left, tired from our efforts, but content to have put the Himalayan Balsam Blues behind us (at least for this year!)
Well done everyone, and thanks once again.
Christine Rippon
Here's an excellent article published in the summer 2020 issue of Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust magazine...
Lucy Ashton also published an article last week in The Sheffield Star, about our proposal for a Way Forward for Owlthorpe Fields that doesn't include building houses. You can read it here:
https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/environment/residents-come-alternative-plan-sheffield-wildlife-haven-after-housing-rejected-2947862
We held a bio-blitz event on Saturday 20 June with the aim of recording more evidence of the rich biodiversity of Owlthorpe Fields.
Everyone enjoyed the day, and judging by the number of wildlife sightings reported to our email
delightfully, a blackberry picking event in the autumn!
Depending on what happens with Covid19 lockdown, we may decide to hold stalls outside or inside, we'll let you know...
Here are the five statements submitted by OAG members to the Planning Committee on June 2nd 2020.
The Way Forward
Since the rejection of the planning application we’ve been working together with the Friends of Waterthorpe Park for Owlthorpe Fields to become part of a South East Sheffield wildlife corridor stretching from here, through Waterthorpe Park and on to Beighton Pond... there will be much more on this later on The Way Forward Page ...
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More Data for Nature Project
Owlthorpe Fields Action Group has been invited to join a really important project organised by Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust called ‘More Data for Nature’. This will involve the Wildlife Trust lending equipment to us and our volunteers and teaching us how to carry out ecological surveys and record data. That data will then be fed into the UK ‘State of Nature’ report to analyse the decline of wildlife throughout the UK. If you would like to learn more and take part please email us at: owlaction500@gmail.com.
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iNaturalist app project:
iNaturalist is a joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society and is open to anybody worldwide to use to identify plants and animals all around you. You can take a photograph of what you find and the app will suggest up to 10 possible identifications for you. It also allows groups of people to set up a project so that all sightings found in one place can be pooled and recorded.
OAG Secretary, Sandra Fretwell-Smith, has now established an iNaturalist project for Owlthorpe Fields. She will download the data and then send it to the Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust. From there it will be added to data on the National Biodiversity Network’s database (NBN Atlas). This data is used by ecologists nationwide to inform national policy decisions about nature and the environment. More importantly, the NBN Atlas is searched by ecologists to carry out surveys for developers during the planning application process – so the true biodiversity of an area can be properly determined.
We’re asking as many of you as possible to download the iNaturalist app to your smart phone. Once you’ve done that, you can opt to join the Owlthorpe Fields Project. Sandra will provide updates on the app in the ‘News’ section.
... a word of caution here though... it is very addictive, and you may find yourself taking much more notice of the nature around you and looking for new species to photograph and upload. We’ve only been on it for a little over 2 weeks, and we’ve already recorded over 400observations covering more than 200 species. The more we can add as a group, the more weight will be given to our findings, so please download the app and get going.
If you prefer to send in your observations as a WILDLIFE SIGHTING to our email address, they will also be recorded and the data sent to the NBN Atlas, so either way, please join in and let's get as much evidence of wildlife as possible recorded.
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Keep a look out here, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for forthcoming events
Results of Bio blitz 20th June 2020
Click the button below to see the analysis
of the Bio blitz observations:
