Rangefinder

Just heard that the application to end public access to the playground has been withdrawn. Around 130 objections, strong feelings expressed at South West Area panel, as well as common sense, have prevailed. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this result.

Over 100 objections are now posted at http://planning.sheffield.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=K8S63INY06Z00 I've also discovered that: 1. for such an obligation to be overturned there has to be a change of circumstances such that the obligation no longer serves a useful purpose. 2. The Council can continue to receive objections until the date at which it makes its decision. Taken together, these points mean it's still worthwhile for people to add their voices. The more objections there are by people who use and value the facilities, the less possible it is to argue that the obligation serves no purpose.

As of Friday morning there were over 90 objections on the Council website. Also a piece in Friday's Sheffield Telegraph (page 5). This gives good coverage to the objectors' case. It also quotes (some) estate residents as unhappy that an unspecified proportion of their £170 (for a house) or £85 (for a flat) annual service charges provides facilities open to "use or abuse" by the general public. There's no evidence offered that any abuse has occurred.

Of course I agree with you -- community access is paramount in my book. But, doing my best to understand the other side of the argument, is there any reason to be sympathetic to those who find themselves burdened with additional costs? (although divided by over 200 it won't be much relative to the price of the houses)

There are now over 80 objections to the application at http://planning.sheffield.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=K8S63INY06Z00 I gathered today that the costs of maintaining the playground and open space, which are borne by residents of the estate, are a reason for some of them to not want the general public to use the facilities. Apparently some residents didn't realise that they'd been landed with these costs by the developer, David Wilson. Do they have a point here? Although that doesn't seem a good enough reason to deprive others of the use of the facilities, in accordance with the planning conditions. One of the objectors says there has to be a public benefit of removing obligations of this kind for the planning authority to agree to their removal. Does anyone reading this know anything about that?

Over 60 objectors have done their bit to save the playground, by posting their comments at http://planning.sheffield.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=K8S63INY06Z00 This grows faster every day. Keep up the good work!

Thre's still time to lodge your objection to the playground closure at http://planning.sheffield.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=K8S63INY06Z00 As of this morning there are some 45 objections. Do please add your voice.

As I understand it, the "management company" is an organisation of residents rather than a developer. Some of the objectors are residents stating they've not been consulted by the individual who filed the application on behalf of the company of which the objectors are members.

Objections keep coming in, which is good. Eight more posted at http://planningdocs.sheffield.gov.uk/WAM/findCaseFile.do?action=show&appName=planning&appNumber=08/05196/OBL this morning!

Re enforcement, who knows? Physical barriers? Removal of the equipment so no-one can use it? It's probably pointless to speculate on this. The only justification offered in the application itself was that estate residents have found members of the public using the facilities (!! I'm not making this up, that's really what they wrote) I hope you're right, that it won't be approved. But experience suggests it's unwise to trust that sense will prevail without making our case as strongly as we can.

Please don't blame the planners for this having arisen, they're just doing what they have to when an application comes in. The most important thing is to be sure to save the playground by force of argument, and public demand. Best, in my opinion, to refrain from abusive language.

Please don't be deterred from exercising your right to object by giving your address. What evidence is there that that could do any harm? It's not as if you have to give out your bank details.

So do please make your objection. And the best possible outcome of the planning application would be more people knowing about and using the playground than before, which would kind of serve them right for trying to take it off us.

A condition of the planning permission for the David Wilson housing estate on the Lodge Moor Hospital site was public access to the new children's play area. This is a great community resource, especially as the nearby Spider Park is often very crowded at weekends and in school holidays. How many people know that some residents of the estate have now put in a planning application to stop the general public from using this playground? I only discovered this a week ago when out with my grandkids. Several people I've spoken to were shocked to hear of it. Objections to the application are now building on the council's website at http://planning.sheffield.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=K8S63INY06Z00 It is good to see that some of these are from residents of the estate who are horrified at the idea of excluding the public from the playground and complain that they have not been consulted by those putting in the application. Many objectors complain that the proposal is socially divisive, as well as harming the health, well-being and social lives of children and families. I'm posting this here because I know the playground is used by Sheffielders from a wide area, not just those living in Lodge Moor. Everyone should have the chance to register their objections. Otherwise, the first you might know of this would be when you next took your kids or grandkids to play there and found it closed! If you want to help save the playground, you've got until 14th November to post your comments on the council's website.