Controversial plans to build five new houses on land which was used for garages have received backlash from neighbours regarding the safety and danger of the Meadowhead site.

Sheffield City council will determine whether the homes can be built at the rear of Meadow Head Drive after numerous issues were raised, including overdevelopment, management of a private road and access issues. There was also a letter of objection signed by 42 people. 

One resident of Meadow Head Drive who commented on the proposal said: “Vehicles entering or leaving the private road are very limited and, with children who live on the road not being used to vehicles using the site, this could be dangerous.”

They added: “If I or any visitors were to park my vehicle on the road outside my house, because it is directly opposite the entrance to the site, there is great potential for neighbour conflict.”

Other residents have also raised concerns about the proposed land being hazardous due to asbestos sheeting, gas bottles and an over-full skip. They said the land was also known to have Japanese Knotweed – an invasive species.

Another resident said: “We have safety concerns when entering and exiting this site for other road users and pedestrians, particularly as we have a significant number of children who regularly play within this vicinity.”

Despite many objections to the council’s proposal a report to the committee recommends that the scheme should go ahead, which will be decided tomorrow afternoon.

The report states: “The proposals result in a well-designed small scheme that will result in no significant harm to residential amenity of future or neighbouring occupiers and highways and pedestrian safety. The proposal will provide a 10 per cent biodiversity net gain through off-site provision.”

The council’s proposal is part of Sheffield’s Local plan which has outlined that 38,012 additional homes are needed to meet the needs of a growing city, which means land for an additional 3,529 homes needs to be identified.