People have signed a petition objecting to plans to build 67 apartments on Sheffield’s Carter Knowle Road arguing that it would amplify already existing traffic problems. 

PTA Developments put in a planning application in October last year to turn the former Gospel meeting hall site in Carter Knowle into five apartment blocks. 

But they have been met with lots of opposition from the community and since the petition started in December 2023, it has amassed 100 signatures. 

The petition outlined a variety of reasons against the proposed plans including that since the new housing and school developments, Carter Knowle Road has become ‘increasingly busy’ and that this new development would only add to the stress.

Jimmy Lawless, 41, from Carter Knowle, said: “Since the new houses have been built the road has been chaos so I think that’s the main deal for a lot of people.”

The petition also argued that the plan ‘far exceeds the recommended number in the Sheffield local draft plan’.

Mr Lawless said: “I appreciate that they might need housing but I think the thing that is putting off people is the large number as much as anything. I think if the number was like 20 no one would have an issue.”

However some people feel more positively about the plan.

Frank Brown, 75, of Carter Knowle Road, said: “Personally I don’t have any problem with it I must confess. I can appreciate the community view that it’s an inappropriate development in this area. But then so is the school.”

The Mercia School was developed six years ago and also faced criticism for being too modern compared to the Edwardian and Victorian style of the area. 

This was also one of the key arguments in the petition stating that ‘the five-storey high blocks are not in keeping with the area’.

Mr Brown said: “Ideally, I think we would have liked it to have extended the park after the demolition. Or a small development of new houses that were much more in keeping with the old area.”

Local councillors also objected to the plan.

On the planning application, members of the Green party who represent the Ecclesall ward, said: “We are not objecting to developing the site. We want affordable housing.”

Concerns have been raised by the Green party as the independent assessor has said the developer should pay out £1.9m if no affordable housing is to be provided. 

Sheffield Green Party candidate for Ecclesall Ward Peter Gilbert said: “The worry is that the developer will try and get out of any payment, and of providing any affordable housing.”

The plan has not been approved yet. 

Sheffield City Council has until 5th April to approve the proposal. Shef Live have contacted PTA developments for comment.