I walked through the General Cemetary on Sunday and I have to say I'm horrified at what the council has done. Most of the graves have been flattened and the ground has been landscaped.

Have they left all the bodies in there ?

If I had a relative (no mater how long ago they died) buried in there I wouldn't be very happy about their grave been "erased" and a football pitch/dog toilet being built on top of it.

I'm glad they are restoring some of the bigger monuments and imporoving the paths etc, but it seems very dissrespectfull to have wiped-out so many of the poorer graves just to make a park.

My great Grandmother was buried at the General... I grew up not knowing most of my family and consequently, I've spent a lot of time in the Sheffield Archives trying to find out a bit more about various people. I think most of the stones in the General were removed some years back, the archive keeps a record of the inscriptions on all of the removed stones.

I have to agree with you though Nick, I wasn't happy about the headstones being shoved out of the way to make a park out of the area.

where is General Cemetary? Is that near the Concord sports center?

It's in Sheffield, on the hill above Ecclesall Road.

yeah i'd love to see it restored to its former glory. i spoke to the people at the gatehouse, and they said that the large church at the top is being turned into a music school, and the smaller chapel into a concert hall.
although this could be worse...why not a museum??

I just think a huge source of information is being swept away, the graves in there go back 100+ years, not to mention the character of the place.

Highgate cemetery in London is a tourist attraction, they are place people find interesting.

Yes Nick2, it'd be good if they could use these resources to tidy it up, make the stones safe, and generally more accessible for everyone, as you say like Highgate. It's a shame that every piece of "undeveloped" land in S11 or S10 has to be jiggered about with.

Highgate cemetery in London is a tourist attraction, they are place people find interesting.
A tourist attraction? *furrows brow* - not to be out of touch with everything but surely not!

Originally posted by Moonfire
A tourist attraction? *furrows brow* - not to be out of touch with everything but surely not!

It is, honest, and it's very interesting.

http://www.touruk.co.uk/london_cemeteries/highgate_cemetery1.htm

I'm sure it's lovely but i'm not into that kind of thing - but it's interesting to know :)

It's not spooky or anything, it's quite pleasant.

I hate to say it but if you are buried and you pay for a plot you've only got it for 30 years, after which they can open it and put other people in, remove you and put you elsewhere if necessary for redevelopment, or tarmac over you to build a car park which councils seem particularly fond of doing.

i'm pretty sure most of the clearance of the graves was done a while back - in the 80's ? i saw a presentation recently on the work they were planning at the General Cemetary and it involved more restoration of the old features rather than clearance, i think they were putting back some of the victorian paths and restoring the gatehouse area etc. could it be this they were doing and it just looked like they were still clearing away the graves?

It might be that, I don't walk through there very often, but every time I do there seems to be less graves and more grass.

But where have all the stones gone ?

I would hate to think or them in some reclaimation yard.

highgate looks beautiful. i think the architecture and carvings in the sheffield cemetery are fantasic pieces of art. death doesn't have to be a scary thing.
yeah i've seen headstones on the floor just outside the gatehouse, not sure what's happening.
they have a volunteer group (on sundays i think) for just clearing weeds, sweeping, that kind of thing....if we care we should do something about it. otherwise it will always be in the hands of others. and what do we do.moan?
i don't think the redevelopment or beautification process is happening quick enough.

I live opposite the cemetary and although agree it is beautiful, I do feel the money could be better spent. AND now and again they do these very annoying tour things (don't quite know what it consists of) but they all come along and take our parking spaces. As if it isn't bad enough because of all the students...grr (rant over ;) )

Although I agree that its a shame is not being restored.... its better than it sitting there being a target for drug users!! I live in a house which backs onto a cemetery and I really like it. Its deadly quiet (excuse the pun) and I always thought that it would never be built upon (I certainly hope not) Lets hope that the gardens will be landscaped with sensitivity and that people that have friends and family burried there can still vist and think of their lives....

When I was a child growing up in the area we used to go in the cemertry to have a look at the graves and I must say there were some magnificent ones . If we came across one that was really untidy we used to set about tidying it up. There was also a story that a man named PEGLEG lived in the bell tower. He was said to be there watching over his wife because he could not bear to be parted from her.
Anyone else hear this story

you need to get out more, no stones have been moved since 1980,infact some have been repaired to modern standards.

Originally posted by thai
When I was a child growing up in the area we used to go in the cemertry to have a look at the graves and I must say there were some magnificent ones . If we came across one that was really untidy we used to set about tidying it up. There was also a story that a man named PEGLEG lived in the bell tower. He was said to be there watching over his wife because he could not bear to be parted from her.
Anyone else hear this story

thai: I think thats a lovely story although I have never heard of it before...

Not heard that story but there is a flasher! :shocked:

Also met this weird guy once, think he was high...but he was talking a really strange language, like Latin or something. He told me he was talking to the dead people..it creeped me out a little bit as he wasn't just rambling on, it was like a real language!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Lucy_Smith
[B]Not heard that story but there is a flasher! :shocked:

:clap: :clap: tee hee hee.....what did he look like...... would you be able to identify it.... sorry him. lol:clap: !

Originally posted by technophobe
thai: I think thats a lovely story although I have never heard of it before... Well I am in my fifties so going back quite sometime.

[i]tee hee hee.....what did he look like...... would you be able to identify it.... sorry him. lol:clap: ! [/B]

:lol: LOL :lol:

I haven't actually seen him "up close and personal" but the police warned me about him when our house was burgled!

Watch out...flasher about :wow:

Are they doing anything with that potentially nice but currently bricked up and battered church in the Cemetry?

The Friends of the General Cemetery website (http://www.gencem.org) doesn't seem to say what they're doing, other than they were trying to raise £500,000 for rennovations, and plan to have a warden living there.

Liked the weblink to the General Cemetery. Thanks for that.

Deaths a funny old thing. I used to take my children (from age 8 onwards) to look around graveyards. They are fascinating places. Why do the really ancient ones refer to widows as 'relics'? Ever noticed the euphemisms for 'died' on old headstones, such as 'taken by Jesus', 'fell asleep', etc.?

Found a really interesting grave in Wales last year, which recorded the burials of a widow, followed by her husband on top, and his second wife on top of them both.

Will be visiting the General Cemetery now (Please note the correct spelling of cemetery - three 'e's and no 'a'. Sorry, but it grates - my works address is Cemetery Lane!).

Originally posted by garrence
[B]Are they doing anything with that potentially nice but currently bricked up and battered church in the Cemetry?

not so bricked up anymore.the hole in the wall allows you to see the once grand interior!

also anyone here know what's happened this morning....the gatehouse is cordoned off with police tape and guarded by an officer. i started a thread this morning but not sure anyone has replied

If anyone wants to know more about the plans for the cemetery, they can go on a guided tour. They take place on the first Sunday of every month starting at 2pm. For further info, contact the Friends of the General Cemetery on 0114 268 3486.

Oooh yes please everybody come and have a guided tour of the cemetery and take up all the local residents parking spaces :rant:

Originally posted by Lucy_Smith
Oooh yes please everybody come and have a guided tour of the cemetery and take up all the local residents parking spaces :rant:

That whole area is notorious for having no parking, perhaps you should have checked that out before you moved there ?

Originally posted by redrobbo

Why do the really ancient ones refer to widows as 'relics'?


Look again, it's not "relic" but "relict", its an old word for a widow.:thumbsup:

Originally posted by redrobbo
Liked the weblink to the General Cemetery. Thanks for that.

Deaths a funny old thing. I used to take my children (from age 8 onwards) to look around graveyards. They are fascinating places. Why do the really ancient ones refer to widows as 'relics'? Ever noticed the euphemisms for 'died' on old headstones, such as 'taken by Jesus', 'fell asleep', etc.?


The word on the graves is "relicT"

A relict is just an old fashioned word for "widow"

PT

Originally posted by nick2
That whole area is notorious for having no parking, perhaps you should have checked that out before you moved there ?

Sure but I don't fancy it being made worse by a load of people coming around the graveyard. It should be residents only parking, it annoys me so much. We have had 3 parking tickets, but we have no choice than to park on the double yellows. I think everybody that lives around the uni should have parking permits, I'm a student but I know it drives the non-students around here absolutely barmy.

Anyway, sorry for going a bit off topic guys it just drives me bonkers

Originally posted by Lucy_Smith
It should be residents only parking, it annoys me so much. We have had 3 parking tickets, but we have no choice than to park on the double yellows. I think everybody that lives around the uni should have parking permits, I'm a student but I know it drives the non-students around here absolutely barmy.


If you made the area residents only parking most of the shops would have to close, 90% of the customers (I bet) on Ecclessal Road don't live there. And even if it was made residents only, there are so many residents (some with two or more cars) in the area that you still wouldn't be able to find a space.

I don't think the parking problems are because of the shops, more where I live because of the uni. I don't think there is a simple answer at all but I know the locals around here get SO annoyed with the students, they've spoken to us a number of times, until we have explained we actually live here.

But I do see your point, many of the houses contain four or so students, some of whom all have cars. And I do understand the uni students need somewhere to park. It's just so annoying! My parents used to live directly behind Bristol City FC at home and they never had half the problems we have here.

But like I said, I agree there is one simple answer. I was just having a rant ;)

Parking in the area can be problematical and a lot of people who use the shops if they can't park right outside there shop of choice do use the side roads. I can't understand why more of the Collegiate site can't be opened up for car parking as there are an awful lot of lawned area's that look nice but could witth a bit of imagination be turned into parking area's.
About twenty years ago the cemetery had a problem with some 'naughty' children actually breaking into the bigger graves looking for bones, yukky!!!! Up till about two years ago the restoration of the old graves was rather hit and miss, they'd come along one year and clear back all the brambles and a year later have to do it all over again as it wasn't on-going. The idea of a warden in the gate-house is a good idea if that means it can stop some of the mindless vandalism and if the church was restored with possibly another warden up there it would be an improvement. I often wander round the place with my dog and find it a quiet little oasis in the bustling city and the guy speaking 'latin' I suspect that may be a guy with a weird sense of humour who can speak fluent russian, dark clothing, dark hair and long scraggly beard.

Does anyone know anything about the church inside the general cemetary? ive tried looking on numerous websites, but none of the have been helpful. im wondering when it was bricked up, and when it got into such a state? it looks like theres been a fire in there, ive seen in it when a hole was made in the bricks on the door. im really really curious about this place, and would really appreciate it if someone could tell me about it.

Try www.gencem.org

...Hmm just tried it but it seems out of date - it's talking about redeveloping the Gatehouse in the 'plans for the future' section.

A local businessman took out a lease on the Anglican Chapel. He was awarded planning permission to convert it to offices and use the cemetery for car parking. The development didn't take place and the planning permission lapsed but he still owns the lease. I'd heard this from a few sources previously but also found info on the net here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200001/cmselect/cmenvtra/91/91m50.htm

EDIT: There was also a recent application to turn it into apartments which was rejected: http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/index.asp?pgid=24919

Last summer friend of mine did some painting work on the building (?)off psalter lane which he referred to as the Mausoleum, which belonged to the cemetary. He said it was used as offices, but one or two strange happenings went on there when workmen were on their own, power going off, banging noises when no one was there etc. But you know tradesmen ... always trying to wind up their mates, take it with a pinch of salt!

Just to clear up a few of the issues raised on this thread...
The graves stones, in what is now the grassy area, were removed by the council way back in the late 70s when most of them were ground up for path resurfacing. However, this certainly did not happen recently and would never be allowed these days. In fact, the council no longer run the site - it's looked after by the Sheffield General Cemetery Trust now who are doing loads of great restoration and community work to improve the area. I think the reason it might look different to some people in recent months is because the grassy area has been tidied and landscaped to create a larger green space. This included the reconstruction of some of the original paths to improve access for all. I believe they will also be installing CCTV and new lighting at the site which means that more people can enjoy using the space for longer. Although a number of important historical figures are buried there, its also home to some wonderful architecture and includes listed buildings and monuments.

The cemetery is one of only a few woodland and green spaces in the heart of the city and really should be celebrated.

Update on Chapel:
Alterations to chapel to form dwellinghouse -

http://libplugins.sheffield.gov.uk/planning/details.asp?Id=23638&Typ=W

Granma.

The headstones are being used as a footpath, so instead of council flagstones, you have victorian headstones......

But is the cemetary haunted????? I have a fair idea, but has anyone else seen anything before I get labeled as a fruit cake!!!!!!
:confused:

But is the cemetary haunted????? I have a fair idea, but has anyone else seen anything before I get labeled as a fruit cake!!!!!!
:confused:

I've seen some oddities in there at night and I know two people who independently saw the same 'apparition' and they did not know each other.

The daytime vibe in there is one of total peace - at night it changes considerably.

Blimey, have just seen the planning proposals for the Cemetery, Cemetery Road... It is to be turned into a private dwelling that will prevent rights of access to a public space. I would be opposed to such a thing happening.

In a city that where communities get together and utilise such spaces I think it would be such a pity to sacrafice the enjoyment of many for the sake of the few.

Our green spaces are part of what makes Sheffied special, the cemetery in particular is a valuble asset to our city. If you've enjoyed a sunny afternoon there, attended the latern carnival or peace in the park, you will understand how place like this can contribute to the building of sustainable communities.

I really hope that they don't get planning permission, it would be such a shame to see such a benificial public space being turned into private residency. I was just wondering what peoples views were on the matter????

Are thee proposals online?
Have you got a link?

Blimey, have just seen the planning proposals for the Cemetery, Cemetery Road... It is to be turned into a private dwelling that will prevent rights of access to a public space.


:rolleyes: yawn. troll. next.

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=32358&page=3

If you want to see the full plans they are available to view at First Point, Howden House.

If anyone does not want to see the integrity of the cemetery destroyed please write to the council and oppose the plans.

I could and would say heaps more but have been asked to button it until certain things have happened behind the scenes. There will be more news on this in the next week or two. I will update. :|

Just wondering what public rights of access are going to be closed off to the public and me [a dog walker]

I have been rightly informed that the cemetery will still be accessible however, the planning application clearly states that some rights of access will be affected, see for yourselves.

I do not have enough posts to post urls's so you could try looking at the Sheffield Council website and go to teh planning section using planning application reference 06/01866/FUL

Once I have enough posts I will try and post a link.

http://libplugins.sheffield.gov.uk/p...Id=23638&Typ=W

Granma.

The petition is online:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveourchapel/

I think it is a great idea, if done with some type of taste. It is a decrepid old church that loos like a ruin, if nobody including the church (who aren't short of cash) or whoever want it to be restored as a church then why not make it something useful? If he is forced to have some public right of way then that is up to him at least somebody is making an effort to regenerate what really is a mess. I doubt he wants to go grave digging as much as anybody else!

I think it is a great idea, if done with some type of taste. It is a decrepid old church that loos like a ruin, if nobody including the church (who aren't short of cash) or whoever want it to be restored as a church then why not make it something useful? If he is forced to have some public right of way then that is up to him at least somebody is making an effort to regenerate what really is a mess. I doubt he wants to go grave digging as much as anybody else!

What the hell has the church got to do with it? If you're going to have an opinion, please make it an informed one.

The cemetery were already in the middle of a restoration scheme which would have saved both the Anglican chapel AND the non-conformist one (the greek temple one) and kept it for community use. All they needed was to get the lease back on that building, which was in process.

Jamesogt, have you not noticed how much fundraising and restoration work has been done across the rest of the site? Do you really think nobody was "making an effort to regenerate what really is a mess"? The chapel site was the cemetery trust's next major project, but the chapel has been sold despite those plans being in the works.

If the new application goes through, the cemetery site manager will be out of a job because of how his wages are funded. This proposal could have serious knock on effects for the maintenance of the rest of the site. I can't say anymore at the present time but I will keep people updated if they want to pm me.

I've managed now to negotiate the councils planning web site and so have seen the plans and notice with interest how much land is going with the building. This does seem slightly odd and rather excessive.
If the chapel has been sold off then that obviously means that part of the regeneration stops as far as making it a community venture but there is still the 'greek temple' structure that could be turned into something quite spectacular so let's hope that happens at some point.

Another chunk of our history quietly dissapears.

It disappeared long ago when the Council sold a long lease to a Sheffield gentleman who did nothing with it and let it get into the state it is in today. They also gave him a lease on Glossop Road Baths, where he also did nothing as the building rotted.

Not I hasten to add the same gentleman who is wanting to redevelop the chapel, who conincidently was the eventual developer of the Baths. I think that the Baths turned out ok. Yes?

Not I hasten to add the same gentleman who is wanting to redevelop the chapel, who conincidently was the eventual developer of the Baths. I think that the Baths turned out ok. Yes?

The Turkish baths bit did, yes.

The Glossop Road baths redevelopment as been described to me by a professional as the "worst heritage restoration in Sheffield", and that's saying something. The baths part is OK, but large parts of the rest have been done very unsympathetically, and internal features removed or damaged. It makes you wonder what could be done to a largely empty chapel to make it worse, but surely this is best left to the Friends who've been working for years to raise money and keep the cemetery together for the people of Sheffield and Sharrow.

The council planning department website is the place to make your views known, and stop this dodgy privatisation (url is quoted above).

Access to history in Sheffield is about to get a whole lot worse if the plans to turn the Anglican Chapel off Cemetery Road into a private residence are allowed to go ahead.

The plans have been lodged with the Planning department by property developer Steven Wilkinson (He's already had a large photograph holding up his baby to the world in the TELEGRAPH - so he won't mind being name-checked here).

His plans show that the footpath between Cemetery Road and Montague Street is going to be cut off for use as a car park and car park access road. This is used by hundreds of people every day to get them to and from work, by local people going to the shops, by families taking their kids out for a walk, by the Friends group on their tours, by people just having a stroll and enjoying the solitude.

But what should really incense history buffs like me is that he's going to enclose the monuments by the Cemetery Road entrance for a private garden. It means that the relatives of the thirty or so graves and memorials in this area will not be able to get near them. Not only that, but the original burial place of James Montgomery, used before his statue and remains were moved to the Cathedral, will be part of his garden.

There are a dozen other reasons to object to these plans, but don't take my word for it - examine them yourself - they're on the council planning website and please please make a comment online there. The Cemetery Friends already have plans for the chapel, to guarantee community use, so don't let this guy privatise our history.:help:

Just another bit of Sheffield's history down the pan, wonder how long before planning permission goes in for a block of flats.

I notice that the former Kelvin Metals, part of the Old Barracks has all but fallen down, probably rife for development.

Hi all

I thought the Granma's link would take me through to where you can make comment on the application, but it doesn't. Not easy to find, but this might work:

Will have to go through planning.sheffield.gov.uk and then you put

06/01866/FUL

in as the reference. At the top of the page is the bit where you can submit comments.

What the hell has the church got to do with it? If you're going to have an opinion, please make it an informed one.

The cemetery were already in the middle of a restoration scheme which would have saved both the Anglican chapel AND the non-conformist one (the greek temple one) and kept it for community use. All they needed was to get the lease back on that building, which was in process.

Jamesogt, have you not noticed how much fundraising and restoration work has been done across the rest of the site? Do you really think nobody was "making an effort to regenerate what really is a mess"? The chapel site was the cemetery trust's next major project, but the chapel has been sold despite those plans being in the works.

If the new application goes through, the cemetery site manager will be out of a job because of how his wages are funded. This proposal could have serious knock on effects for the maintenance of the rest of the site. I can't say anymore at the present time but I will keep people updated if they want to pm me.

No i havent noticed? it looks like a ruined old church with completly overgrown shrubbery? What exactly does the cemetery site manager do ? It doesn't appear to be a lot to manage?

Maybe it should be added that the new developer of the scheme is made to take responsibility for the rest of the site also if he wants to have the chapel area.

Also what was the community use planned for both the chapel sites?

What I know is that theres a bunch of committed (yes perhaps they should be) local volunteers who have spent the last sixteen years building up the site from the inaccessible wilderness it once was to the much loved greenspace it is today.


Use it or lose it people.

No i havent noticed? it looks like a ruined old church with completly overgrown shrubbery? What exactly does the cemetery site manager do ? It doesn't appear to be a lot to manage?

Maybe it should be added that the new developer of the scheme is made to take responsibility for the rest of the site also if he wants to have the chapel area.

Also what was the community use planned for both the chapel sites?


You haven't noticed? I was talking about the entire cemetery site, and if you really haven't noticed the amount of changes and restoration that has been done then you really are ignorant of the site. If you are that unaware of what's been achieved so far then it waters down your right to an opinion considerably, because it is simply uniformed.

The amount of work that has gone into the place is phenomenal. The Gatehouse was rebuilt from total ruins, and is now a warden's quarters and the office of the Cemetery Trust. The area next to that has been made into a large garden with gravelled seating areas and flourishing herbacious beds.

Further along by the river large-scale earth moving took place to reveal old egyptian-style staircases (as yet unrestored) and a stone spiral garden created. The large green space has been re-landscaped, benches and bins put in and more planted beds. On top of all that the volunteers have been getting rid of the ugly bramble scrub to allow the grasses and wildflowers to grow. This has made the cemetery a haven for wildlife, and for people too, who felt intimidated by the site when it was derelict. To say that nothing has been done to the site is fatuous, to say the least. The amount of fundraising, time and effort put in has been significant. And that's not even counting tons worth of litter picking and needle-clearing.

Maintenance of the beds, paths and woodland patches is a never ending task. The council does nothing beyond cut the large grassy area and move dangerous slabs of stone when tombs are vandalised. The rest is down to a tiny group of volunteers and one part time worker, the site manager. Contrary to what you say, James, he has his work cut out overseeing all this, while having to work on general fundraising applications and our own plans for the restoration of the chapels. You have obvioulsy never worked for a charity or in conservation if you really think there is nothing for the site manager to do.

All the work done so far in the cemetery has been in partnership with heritage organisations who will quite simply lose interest if we lose the Anglican chapel. It will destroy the integrity of the site as a whole, the funds may dry up and the place will deteriorate again. The new chapel design plan is insensitive to its location and ignores matters of architectural sensitivity.

The alternative plans that were/are in process would have saved both the Anglican AND non-conformist chapels, which would be restored in a harmonious way in partnership with heritage experts. They would remain fully part of the cemetery site, accessible to the public. There are legal reasons why I cannot name the prospective tenants right now, I am waiting for news this or next week, because there is a lot going on behind the scenes. All I can say is that the refusal of the current planning application will NOT mean the building stays derelict.

Long one, sorry, but it needed to be said. There's a lot of ignorance out there. :)

Oh, and if any one wants to oppose the plans the place to contact is -

Margaret Smith, planning officer, Sheffield City Council planning department,Howden House, Sheffield S1 2HH

The deadline is 14th July.

I think that they sould leave the old place as it, and has been for such a long time. I'd rather have a beautiful old cemetery than some concrete soaked, steel and glass ****hole.

Lots more discussion of this here...http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=32358&page=3 Which is now THIS thread as they have been merged :D (comments on these particular applications begin at the bottom of that page).

A message on that thread says the deadline for comments to the Council is July 14th.

Hugh

Please come to the SAVE SHARROW CEMETERY event this Sunday 9 July from 12 noon till 9pm to get more info about what is happening and how you can help to stop it (if you want to help stop it) ...

... and bring your friends and family, some deckchairs and hats, beer and wine, games and toys, etc etc ...

... and enjoy this beautiful green space while you still can!

Please come to the SAVE SHARROW CEMETERY event this Sunday 9 July from 12 noon till 9pm to get more info about what is happening and how you can help to stop it (if you want to help stop it) ...

... and bring your friends and family, some deckchairs and hats, beer and wine, games and toys, etc etc ...

... and enjoy this beautiful green space while you still can!

ok, we'd come.. if we knew where...?

can we assume it's actually at the cem'?

PT

ok, we'd come.. if we knew where...?

can we assume it's actually at the cem'?

PT

Yes you can! :thumbsup:

i think this thread should be bumped up a bit. i think it's a beautiful space and would hate to see the wrong changes made to it.

Definitely - if you've ever played in the cemetery - as I have, if you've got a relative in there - several, as I have, if you appreciate the solitude on quiet days, the excitement on community days, if you walk your dog there, if you don't want another piece of Sheffield social history made private and inaccessible, then please write in.

The word on the graves is "relicT"

A relict is just an old fashioned word for "widow"

PT

Yes it refers to the remaining cast off - that which is left - the dross I think ...

How typical, I can't get onto the planning site (its often down for some reason).

There was a suggestion several years ago (I'm talking about 10 years) that the church would be converted into apartments but it came to nothing thankfully. I would have no objection to the church being used and renovated for housing if full public access was still allowed all around it. The cemetary is absolutely full of history and it is simply wrong that people be denied access to it just so some developer can make a barbecue feature or somesuch out of old gravestones.

The cemetery is immensely popular as a place to walk, relax and have fun (see the kids sledging in the winter snow!). I remember it as a druggies' haven but for several years now it's been a great place to go. I've taken many people round there myself, after going on the 'Friends' tours, and they're always amazed its not respected like Highgate or Pere Lachaise Cemeteries.

Shame on the council if they allow this through.

Like Mathom says, the website for registering comments on this proposal has gone down.What's more, the error page tells you that (for security reasons) you are not allowed to know why!! Really. Look here (http://planning.sheffield.gov.uk/publicaccess/dc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=J02VPKNYFD000).

You could still post a letter, though: Margaret Smith, Planning Officer, Sheffield City Council, Planning Department, Howden House, Sheffield S1 2HH.

Or you can email: Paula Johnson (an admin officer in the planning office): <Paula.Johnson@sheffield.gov.uk>

Say you are objecting to application ref: 06/01866/FUL. Anglican Chapel, Cemetery Road, Sheffield.

Need some idea about exactly what to write? Click here (http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveourchapel/signatures.html). And have a look around at other people's petition comments.

It's back up! Tell them what you think of the plans here (http://planning.sheffield.gov.uk/publicaccess/dc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=J02VPKNYFD000).

This Sunday afternoon (9 July) if the weather is good enough, come down to the cemetery to find out more about the plans and (if you like) join in the big protest party ... more info on this (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=123739) thread in the events section.

The protest party is an interesting idea, but in all honesty you might as well enjoy yourselves because I suspect that it won't make a blind bit of difference to the outcome. It will just be seen as 'a bunch of hippies that don't have a clue what goes on in the real world.'

Sorry to suggest bad tidings, but I think that may well be the sum of it. There is a long term lease at stake here, and that equates to money in the Council coffers.

Enjoy the sunshine :)

The protest party is an interesting idea, but in all honesty you might as well enjoy yourselves because I suspect that it won't make a blind bit of difference to the outcome. It will just be seen as 'a bunch of hippies that don't have a clue what goes on in the real world.'

Sorry to suggest bad tidings, but I think that may well be the sum of it. There is a long term lease at stake here, and that equates to money in the Council coffers.

Enjoy the sunshine :)

But Tony, there is an alternative plan in the pipeline, including securing the lease on the chapel. The campaign has not been arranged by 'a bunch of hippies', it's been headed up by people who 'have a clue what goes on in the real world', who know far more than you about the legal situation and the possibilities of blocking this planning application and replacing it with something better. In the real world. Watch this space.

Assuming a long lease has already been issued to the current applicant, how would you propose to go about it? :huh:

Just another bit of Sheffield's history down the pan, wonder how long before planning permission goes in for a block of flats.

I notice that the former Kelvin Metals, part of the Old Barracks has all but fallen down, probably rife for development.

Passed there a couple of days ago and there were JCBs and blokes in hard hats and yellow jackets inside...looked like demolition has started.

Party on now! Going off like a peach in the desert. Go!


And Tony, you're wrong, mate: planning permission in residential areas is the one thing that petitions and letters to the council do make an impact on.

hey dr jon good on you for flying the flag and keeping the faith on this issue, i found this first from your post on SL (rip) and went to sign the petition only to find that its an american website, how can we be sure that they will pass the signatures to the right people if at all?

It makes me sick to the back teeth this lot. they brought in laws to subdue people so you cant do jack about anything anymore. they will get some indipendant organisation in to say its the only possible thing to do and they will hide behind it while another fcking developer gets his bank statment enlarged.

I bet you any money that it goes ahead because they dont listen anymore, its all about the money.

The deadline for registering opposition has been extended for about three weeks, and it's going to a full council meeting because the weight of opposition has been so great!!! Keep it up folks. People power works!

hey dr jon good on you for flying the flag and keeping the faith on this issue, i found this first from your post on SL (rip) and went to sign the petition only to find that its an american website, how can we be sure that they will pass the signatures to the right people if at all?

The site manager of the Cemetery Trust is in full command of the online petition and it will be delivered with the handwritten petition at a 'zombie march' to the town hall in the next couple of weeks. Worry not.

I walked through the General Cemetary on Sunday and I have to say I'm horrified at what the council has done. Most of the graves have been flattened and the ground has been landscaped.

Have they left all the bodies in there ?

If I had a relative (no mater how long ago they died) buried in there I wouldn't be very happy about their grave been "erased" and a football pitch/dog toilet being built on top of it.

I'm glad they are restoring some of the bigger monuments and imporoving the paths etc, but it seems very dissrespectfull to have wiped-out so many of the poorer graves just to make a park.

Yes i very much agree, i think money should go into keeping graves tidy.
Once these people served a purpose on this world and most are left and forgotten about which ****** me off.

These proposed plans worry me because I I think the beauty of the cemetry is its kind of unkempt and over-grown element. It's a unique recreational space in Sheffiled, so close to the city centre and yet a wonderfully calm and quiet place. I believe that the council should resist any kind of development that's going to be out of place and potentially impact on the mood of the place. I do however like the updates they've recently completed to the gate house at the Ecclesall Road end of the graveyard - it makes the cemetry look more welcoming and accessible and there's a central point to get information about the tours etc.
The one thing that I beleive the cemetry has been crying out for for years though is better lighting. It's a popular route for pedestrians cutting through up to Sharrow/Nether Edge from Ecclesall Road and yet particularly in the evening, it can feel like a very dark and spooky place and you often don't feel safe walking through on your own. Better lighting would make it more accessible to people.

I find the housing proposals for the development of the church a bit bonkers to be honest. The developer was reported in the Sheffiled Telegraph saying how fond he has always been of the cemetry, why then does he want to fence off a subhstantial area for his own private garden?

Can't really see the appeal of living in an old church myself - very spooky!

Assuming a long lease has already been issued to the current applicant, how would you propose to go about it? :huh:

Your assumption is wrong, mate. Niether the General Cemetery trust nor the developer who wants to turn the building and some of the land over to private use currently own that patch. Someone else does.

The developer will only buy it once he has the permission, cos otherwise it is useless to him. But if he gets permission, he will undoubtedly be able to outbid the Trust.

Looks like there's been a concerted effort by someone to get some support for the development to the Council. The last 8/9 comments on the Council website are all in support of the application!

http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/planning-and-city-development/development-control/what-we-consider

Before you object please visit the link above. It will tell you what the council will consider and what they will not consider in terms of objections to planning applications. It's really important that you do this, otherwise you risk not being taken seriously.

Anyone can make an objection to planning, but please play them at their own game so to speak, and you'll have a better chance of having your objection upheld.

Edit: I might be wrong, but from looking on the planning pages, the developer's application was put in during May. I don't know how much time is left before a decision is made, but please go to the link above and inform your planning objection before sending it. It could make a huge difference if they recieve a few that are not emotional and well researched rather than 100 that are not of the same standard.

Good luck

Does anyone know anything about the church inside the general cemetary? ive tried looking on numerous websites, but none of the have been helpful. im wondering when it was bricked up, and when it got into such a state? it looks like theres been a fire in there, ive seen in it when a hole was made in the bricks on the door. im really really curious about this place, and would really appreciate it if someone could tell me about it.

It was not bricked up back in the early 80's, the doors were open, but it was empty inside...you could actually go up the stairs in the tower and get right up the bell room, I did it in 1979 one dinner time......it was scary actually....
in the mid 80's it was becoming a drug takers paradise so it was boarded up, but then in the late 80's it was burnt out one night.....all the marking son the wall you can see, black magic stuff, are because a local coven was using it some years ago, and after that, the place was bricked up......

Just been sent the following in an e-mail:

.....Attached is a link to an on line petition protesting against a planning application that has been submitted to the council with regard to the General Cemetery, on Cemetry Road. The application part of this green space, including the disused church will be sold to private hands for the construction of a six bedroom luxury mansion. The deadline for the petition is today (14th July).

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveourchapel

Once a green space is lost, it’s gone forever.


and....
......If you want to object to the planning: http://planning.sheffield.gov.uk/publicaccess/dc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=J02VPKNYFD000

:)

There won't be any churches left at all soon in Englands green and pleasant land. Will be all Mosques. :(

I feel it's a shame that Sheffields history and green spaces can be sold off by the Council in this way, perhaps if someone had enough money the Town Hall would be sold to them ?

There's another thread on this already, alquar. The good news is that the number of letters and emails of opposition so far has been so great that the planning officer hasn't had time to post the legal notice on the building yet, so we've got another three weeks before the new deadline! Complaining works!

In a couple of weeks' time the Cemetery bods are planning a zombie march in fancy dress to the town hall to deliver the petitions. I'll post further details later. But keep up the pressure - remember, there is an alternative plan!

please send in your objections to the planning board. this is ridiculas how they are selling our herratage off from under our feet in this city and only action NOW will help to subdue this ridiculas proposal. :thumbsup:

Probably on a hiding to nothing here but I don't see a massive problem with this.

The church is disused and derelict and from the plans it doesn't look like any "green space" will be taken. Just a rather scruffy bit of pathway and trees/bushes that wou would be mad to hang aorund after dark. Not exactly the Peak District is it?

Probably on a hiding to nothing here but I don't see a massive problem with this.

The church is disused and derelict and from the plans it doesn't look like any "green space" will be taken. Just a rather scruffy bit of pathway and trees/bushes that wou would be mad to hang aorund after dark. Not exactly the Peak District is it?

Barny I suggest you seek out the proper thread and educate yourself with correct information. I am not going to repeat it all again. There are massive problems with this particular application. There is, however, an alternative restoration plan which is far superior in every way. But the current application must be stopped first before the better plans have any chance of going ahead.

People have a right to their opinion but not when it comes from ignorance of the situation

Oh, and just to clarify: the council are not selling the chapel. It was sold two decades ago to a private owner who has done no work on it. The man who has put in this planning application does not yet own the lease, but is using the application to try and guaruntee the sale.

Yay, fab news. I signed the petition a few days ago. Keep us informed :thumbsup:

What does the restoration plan to do with it because as far as im concerned - its an eyesore!

Barny I suggest you seek out the proper thread and educate yourself with correct information. I am not going to repeat it all again. There are massive problems with this particular application. There is, however, an alternative restoration plan which is far superior in every way. But the current application must be stopped first before the better plans have any chance of going ahead.

People have a right to their opinion but not when it comes from ignorance of the situation


I suggest you dump the condescending attitude.

I'm not that interested so am not going to look into this thread to look at the alternative plans however I would say "better" is a subjective word. Who say's this alternative plan is far superior?

I used to work in the Chapel for the Friends of the General Cemetery, so I'm against them doing anything to it... And have said so on the web site.

I suggest you dump the condescending attitude.

I'm not that interested so am not going to look into this thread to look at the alternative plans however I would say "better" is a subjective word. Who say's this alternative plan is far superior?

Condescending? I would say 'informed'. If you are willfully ignorant of something, you have no right to an opinion on it. If you're not interested why did you bother writing your sloppily ignorant opinion? And yes I can say that the alternatives are better because 100% of the people who've seen the alternative plans say they are better, including council members. Or is that not good enough for you?

The battle for the chapel is heating up ... there have been so many objections that the developer's proposal doesn't have much of a chance ... BUT he is going to submit a slightly modified proposal which means that the objections will all have to be made again ...

... there is going to be a protest about this involving zombie costumes this Friday afternoon ... more info on another Sheffield Forum thread here (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=129007) .

Just for anyone who is interested, Sheffield Conservation Volunteers do work in the General Cemetary the first Sunday of every month.
http://uk.geocities.com/sheffieldconservationvolunteers/

Of course the Friends Of the General Cemetary will do conservation work and the like as well, but I can't find any information about when and where to show up on their website.

Are you sure that objections have to be submitted again if it's only a minor modification? I thought it had to be substantially different.
Got a friend in the planning dept - I'll check with him tomorrow. Glad to see the proposal is still picking up objections.
If any objectors haven't signed the petition yet or made comments to the council, the links have been in previous posts.

Just for anyone who is interested, Sheffield Conservation Volunteers do work in the General Cemetary the first Sunday of every month.
http://uk.geocities.com/sheffieldconservationvolunteers/

Of course the Friends Of the General Cemetary will do conservation work and the like as well, but I can't find any information about when and where to show up on their website.

Every Tuesday morning. :) There are also inputs from people on probation and young offenders, but I don't recommend getting involved that way. ;)

The website needs urgent surgery, but we are few and we've been a bit busy of late...