Randomseller

The development of the old Norton College site for retail use is a lack of imagination on behalf of the developers, who want a scheme which seems easy to fund and let. However, the financial case would be far less robust if Sheffield City Council acted properly to extract from them the full cost of alterations to deal with the effect upon Meadowhead roundabout of considerable extra traffic congestion which the scheme would generate. This major traffic blackspot has recently received a lengthy re-design and re-working, for no apparent benefit, as it remains a choke point for the whole of the south of the city. To alleviate this problem the roundabout would need to be enlarged to a size which is visible from outer space, and take in the sports ground on the opposite side of Chesterfield Road (which historically attracted it`s own retail consent - thankfully not implemented), or a new ring road system to enable through traffic to by-pass the area altogether. Liability for millions of pounds of money on public works as a condition of the grant of planning permission should make the scheme financially unsound, and encourage a wider debate about a sustainable future for the site. If Sheffield City Council think that more retail space is required in the south of the city it should use it`s powers to bring forth the old aerodrome/driver training centre site for that use.

Can anyone recommend a relatively locally based specialist who can advise about the restoration and preservation of old paper deeds, their framing for display or safe storage, and execute the actual work economically?

helbco mentioned Mr Sowerby, the long term Headmaster of Greenhill Primary School who, I think, retired in the late 1960`s. He was a near neighbour of mine in his retirement and always liked a chat, imparting many colourful stories about his experiences as a teacher, his holidays and his family. The fact that he was interesting and liked an attentive audience from a (at the time) much younger and willingly captive listener, was a testimonial to his teaching skills and undiminished talent for the interesting delivery of a subject. Should be more neighbours like him today!