News from Sheffield Labour

Sheffield MP clashes with council over Waverley development

Sheffield Attercliffe MP Clive Betts is urging Sheffield City Council to oppose the planning application for the Waverley site until an acceptable transport strategy is in place.

Although the Waverley site is in Rotherham, it adjoins Sheffield and the City Council is to consider its response to the planning application for the Waverley development this week.

Clive Betts said today: “Ever since the development site was first proposed, I have been insisting that there must be an acceptable transport strategy in place as pre-requisite for the consideration of any detailed planning application.

“Without an agreed commitment to the implementation of the necessary transport arrangements – including public transport – a large-scale housing development at Waverley would inevitably produce a significant increase in traffic for the already over-crowded roads in Tinsley, Darnall and Handsworth.

“It would be simply unacceptable for Sheffield City Council to give the nod to this planning application, when both councillors and officers know that, without proper transport arrangements, it would produce massive problems for the residents and businesses in the East of the City.”

Clive Betts also commented on the developers’ proposals to include a large office development on the site.

Clive Betts added: “The developers’ claim that the proposed office development would facilitate the relocation of Government offices is downright misleading.

It is clearly stated Government policy that they would wish to relocate their offices to existing city, town and district centres. I have now had this policy confirmed to me in writing.

The City Council needs to make it very clear that it is totally opposed to office development at the Waverley site.”

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