Could anybody help me with the story of the park/reservoir in Crookes that runs beside School Road.

I have always wondered why such a large open space has not become part of the fight against obesity and remains fenced off from the public.

I recently learned it used to be reservoir, but can anyone help me with dates and the condition of the land today? or any plans for it?

Dunno why it's always been closed off... When I lived up the road from it I remember seeing some football or something going on there sometimes, although I might've imagined that!

Heard it's going to get developed into new houses and flats soon pending planning permission.

There's still a reservoir there but it's an underground one. It's not been public land for a long time. I've lived in the area for nearly 30 years and afaik it used to be the sports ground for the water authority. The closest it came to public access was you used to be able to walk across it.

There are plans now to build on it and as part of the agreement land will become available for public recreation.

Originally posted by daver
Dunno why it's always been closed off... When I lived up the road from it I remember seeing some football or something going on there sometimes, although I might've imagined that!


Used to be able to go in through the locked gate opposite Tapton Hall by pushing a dodgy slat. But then last year people came and replaced the gate and some of the fence. Booo...

A few years ago, we asked to be able to use it for lacrosse as the schools used were being rebuilt. We were told no as it was a risk to the water supply with the resevior being there.

Now they are going to build houses on it.

Will they not be a risk??:loopy: :loopy:

Originally posted by fuzzy
A few years ago, we asked to be able to use it for lacrosse as the schools used were being rebuilt. We were told no as it was a risk to the water supply with the resevior being there.

Now they are going to build houses on it.

Will they not be a risk??:loopy: :loopy:

if they are gonna make money out of it, fuzzy, then no, there'll be no risk. (at least not to their wallets)

(pulls a cynical face)

PT

I thought that the water company had finished with the site and sold it on.. If you think about it they would have to fill in the reservoir before building houses, cos you just cant build a load of houses on top of a reservior without the risk of them all falling in. The residents of crookes were having meetings about the housing last year but its all gone a bit quiet now.

A friend and myself were curios as to what was being kept behind such a big fence so had a look around the other day, some amazing views of the sunrise coming up over the city.

Seems a crime to keep that land locked up for no apparent reason, we were going to cut off the padlock but were worried it was dangerous ground due to being a reservoir.

Does seem like a very large fence for something other then a dangerous area. Shame, as the grass was so long and full of butterflies, one of the nicest bits of Sheffield i've found.

Originally posted by Disco_Cat
A friend and myself were curios as to what was being kept behind such a big fence so had a look around the other day, some amazing views of the sunrise coming up over the city.


I walk past that reservoir on the way to work and took some really nice photos of the sunrise over that field, as well as some sunrise pictures in Walkley where the old school is.

I presume that houses will probably block that view now.

Maybe we should organise a day were we take some reall good pictures.

Show the rest of crookes what their missing.

Originally posted by max
There's still a reservoir there but it's an underground one. It's not been public land for a long time. I've lived in the area for nearly 30 years and afaik it used to be the sports ground for the water authority. The closest it came to public access was you used to be able to walk across it.

There are plans now to build on it and as part of the agreement land will become available for public recreation.

Well despite my usual persuasion I think this is something that John Hesketh (Crookes Councillor) has got his knickers into a right old twist about.

He seems to be insisting that the new houses will deny the people of Crookes a green space. What is ACTUALLY happening is that the new housing will pay for a new public facility open to all, and create quality new homes where they are sorely needed on a space currently closed to everyone with a 10 foot wall around it so you can't even see the 'green' space without a helicopter.

Originally posted by Tony
He seems to be insisting that the new houses will deny the people of Crookes a green space. What is ACTUALLY happening is that the new housing will pay for a new public facility open to all, and create quality new homes where they are sorely needed on a space currently closed to everyone with a 10 foot wall around it so you can't even see the 'green' space without a helicopter.

I think what he's really p*ssed off about is that if you consider how much that land is really worth, the council could have negotiated more money out of the deal, to be used in the community to fund several sports facilities.
These nice developers aren't doing it out of their goodness of their hearts after all are they - it's was a sweetner to the council to get planning permission. They could have held out for more.

Oh - and I don't believe Crookes is in sore need of more housing.

Nomme

Not really. The 'commuted sum' is worked out through a set formula, one set by the Council. It's definately not a 'sweetner' - it's not optional.

It's gone up in recent years far in excess of inflation anyway, so it's not a bad deal, and at the end of the day it's the new householders that pay it anyway!

Now... where was that thread about rising house prices?

*Does a Mod's job for him*

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13711

Here you are :) :thumbsup:

Giz a job mate :lol:

Is this the same site ?

http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=824326

Originally posted by owdlad
Is this the same site ?

http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=824326

Yup - it sure is.

Nomme