A proposal to demolish a former bank for 25 new homes and a commercial unit was refused planning permission due to the site being seen as ‘dangerous’.
The former Yorkshire Bank building, located on Loundside Road, Chapeltown was to be demolished and replaced with a four-story multi-complex building, but the plans were knocked back during a Sheffield Council Meeting on Tuesday.
The proposed multi complex building was meant to consist of 25 apartments and have two ground floor commercial units with an outer community space for the apartments including a private courtyard and communal gardens towards the rear site.
But the councillors raised concerns about the highway safety and sight lines due to the entrance located by a bus stop.
Coun Dianne Hurst said: “Someone who just got off the bus won’t see cars coming in or out, and I think it makes it even more difficult to say you’ve got a true site there as it is a bit dangerous”.
Coun Richard Williams explained how there were high walls blocking the line of sight which was followed by Highway Officer Helen Johnson who added: “I do think there is a bit of ambiguity around that site access.”
Whilst the inclusion of a pond planned to have a reduced sized car park fitting nine spaces, there were still arguments made about the lack of parking as Planning Service member, Andrew Burton stated: “Future residents and employees of the commercial units would not be eligible for a parking permit”.
These plans were seen as unpopular as Mr Burton explained how there’s been 23 objections proceeding to the application from members of the public and the local MP.
The application had been awaiting determination for a long time since it was first registered all the way back in October 2022. However, the councillors still argued that there was a ‘lack of information’ still presented to them during the Council Meeting.
Mr Burton added: “The process had been challenging, due to changing architects and the stop start nature of the discussions. This resulted in the application still being without a complete set of plans, various discrepancies and a shortfall of detail required”.
