Sheffield urged to find residential sites for additional 3,500 homes
Government inspectors have outlined key recommendations for the city’s draft Local Plan, which as well as housing include locating an extra 130 acres of land for employment use.
Other key recommendations outlined the need to provide housing for the future, maximising the amount of affordable housing on offer, and reconfiguring the different housing mix available, in terms of houses and apartments.
The draft Local Plan has already utilised all of the city’s existing brownfield sites and so the council will now consider other options, including development on some of the city’s Green Belt.
Highlighting the need for a formal Local Plan, the council said “not having [one] leaves the city vulnerable to unplanned development and unable to secure the right standard of development.”
The council will assess sites to be included in the next draft of the plan, following which public consultations will be held this summer.
Sheffield residents and businesses will be able to input into the Local Plan via public hearings.
The letter from the inspectors also recognised Homes England’s assessment that “Sheffield is one of their top current locations in England for partnership.”
Lee Powell, managing director of Henry Boot Construction, said: “We’re pleased to see the positive progress on the city’s Local Plan.
“While we operate in the North and Midlands, Sheffield is our spiritual home, and we’re proud to have played a role in delivering major regeneration projects and much-needed housing here.
“We also understand and support the inclusion of affordable houses in the city.
“Not only in Sheffield, but across the region, it’s vital that we find ways to unlock land easier in the coming years to kickstart this important injection of housing.
“But this must be done collaboratively to be successful. Collaboration between government, local authorities, developers, and contractors is key to ensuring that land is not just identified but also deliverable.
“The earlier that contractors are brought into the conversation, the better, too. Practical, on-the-ground expertise ensures that proposed sites are not just viable on paper but truly deliverable.
“Early input helps assess feasibility, prevent costly surprises, and ensure compliance with regulations and sustainability goals.
“A clear, deliverable plan is key to unlocking more sites and ensuring the city continues to grow sustainably.”
