On Tuesday 2 June 2020, Richard from Sheffield Friends of the Earth was present on a webcast by Sheffield City Council's Planning Committee. A recommendation by officers to accept the planning application from Avant Homes to develop the site at Owlthorpe was thrown out by Sheffield City Council Planning Committee on a vote of 10 against the recommendation with 2 abstentions.
Cllr Jane Dunne led the charge as councillor after councillor spoke against the development. Earlier they had listened to a range of arguments against put by Clive Betts MP, Liz Ballard from Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trusts, Andy Tickle from CPRE, and a number of presentations from Owlthorpe Fields Action Group.
This was not a done deal but Sheffield Friends of the Earth have consistently supported this group, encouraged them to hang on in there, advised them a long the way. It's a great victory for Owlthorpe Fields Action Group. They are realistic enough to know that it's far from over. The development has been thwarted for now. Let's all celebrate that.
Picture Source: Pixabay.com