Sheffield: Infrastructure concerns about new neighbourhoods

People who live and work near two new developments in Sheffield have expressed concern about the lack of infrastructure around them.

Sheffield City Council recently announced that it has received £67m of boost funding from Homes England to build 1,300 new homes in Furnace Hill and Neepsend.

But some locals said they were concerned there were not enough nearby GP practices, post offices and schools to cope with the extra demand.

Homes England said the project would create “two new vibrant communities for the people of Sheffield to enjoy”.

The scheme will create retail space, new local amenities and public green spaces, while “celebrating the industrial history of the area”, the developers said.

The plans were first announced by Leveling Up Secretary Michael Gove at the Northern Convention conference in March.

Council leader Tom Hunt said at least 20% of the new homes would be “genuinely affordable accommodation”, which would be “within everyone’s reach”.

Ben McGarry, chairman of the Kelham Island and Neepsend Community Alliance (KINCA), welcomed the plans for more homes but said it needed to be the “right type of housing” to encourage families to come to the area.

“I really hope Homes England stick with their plan, for too long developers have built small flats which mean people only stay for a year – we need bigger houses and gardens to attract families,” he said.

Rob McMenemy, a retired publisher who has lived on Kelham Island for six years, said some elements had been left behind during the area’s “dramatic” expansion.

“There’s been a thirst for more units around here, but they’re forgetting to build the simple things you need,” he said.

“There’s nowhere for bins – these are the things that are forgotten.”

Mr McMenemy also expressed concern about the current lack of local facilities.

“We travel out of the area for everything,” he said.

“To get to the doctors and the supermarket you have to cross the ring road, it’s a barrier if you have small children.

“We need a park, a swing and a slide – we don’t have that.”

David Granville, owner of Kelham Island Books and Music, welcomed the potential for additional customers but shared similar reservations.

“We have bars, barbershops and cafes, we need a post office, a pharmacy, a school,” he said.

“My local GP is over the hill in Burngreave, this will put pressure on other facilities in other areas.”

Peter Denton, chief executive of Homes England, said: “This funding will kick-start the transformation of Furnace Hill and Neepsend, paving the way for 1,300 new homes and 4,000 square meters of retail space and ultimately the creation of two new communities vibrant. for the people of Sheffield to enjoy.”

Mr Hunt said the regeneration plan would “breathe new life” into the two areas and “create great neighbourhoods”.