Gen Cem Development

Planning Online link

Essential details :
Council reference: 06/01866/FUL

Entry on Council Planning website (includes 'Submit comments' option) http://planning.sheffield.gov.uk/publicaccess/dc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=J02VPKNYFD000

Petition URL: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveourchapel

Grounds for objection:
All letters should be original i.e. not just cut and paste

Community use

A)     The cemetery is a well used park.  Many people use the entrance on Cemetery Road and there are established rights of way that will be disrupted.

B)     The general public have strong feelings about the cemetery and about this chapel in particular.  Fencing off an area around the building will deny the public access to part of the historic site, eroding the landscape and will create a conflict between public and private access on the site.

C)     To redevelop the chapel as a single dwelling is inappropriate.  A viable community use for the building can be found.

Heritage

A)     The chapel is a key element in the landscape of the consecrated section of the cemetery and these plans will make the building lose its coherence with its historic setting

B)     The Sheffield General Cemetery Trust has well developed plans for this building that are in sympathy with the historic site, would provide an income for the site (and indeed is the only viable way of gaining an income for site maintenance).  The Trust has commissioned and has available a Feasibility Design report, a conservation management plan of the landscape and of the chapel, including a set of proposed policies and proposals reflecting the importance of maintaining intact the historic design of the chapel and its landscape in any development proposals.

Redevelopment plans

A)     The plans include the provision of six velux windows on the South East elevation facing onto Cemetery Road.  This adaptation will be highly visible on the face of this listed building and is not appropriate.

B)     The plans include the fencing off of an area around the building which will visually intrude on the historic landscape, disrupt public rights of way that are well used, in two directions: walking down the hill towards Ecclesall Road, and walking North East into the cemetery open area towards Montague Street.

C)     The fencing cuts through and destroys the integrity of the rotunda in front of the chapel.

D)     Creates an opening in the wall along Cemetery Road, thus breaking the continuity and sweeping curve up Cemetery Road, which is an intrinsic part of the historic landscape designed by Robert Marnock.

E)     Provides a new roadway within the cemetery grounds which again disrupts the historic landscape designed by Robert Marnock.

F)     The chapel is known to support a bat roost.  Disturbance to bats and their roosts is illegal.

Addresses
1. Margaret Smith Planning Officer Sheffield City Council Planning Department Howden House Sheffield S1 2HH

Council ref 06/01866/FUL    C of E Chapel, Cemetery Road Sheffield

2. Sheffield Star/Telegraph

starletters@sheffieldnewspapers.co.uk

sheffieldtelegraph@sheffieldnewspapers.co.uk

Resources

 * flyer image
 * media release
 * Pro-development telegraph article
 * Letter of objection from cemetery trust
 * Other objection letters

Petition text
ANGLICAN CHAPEL PETITION

We the undersigned object to the planning proposal to the Anglican Chapel in the Sheffield General Cemetery: Ref No.06/01866/FUL on the grounds that it will fence off an area of the Sheffield General Cemetery and prevent public access to Sheffield’s Victorian Heritage and alter the historic boundary wall to the site. The chapel should be converted for community use for the people of Sheffield.

Planner speak
This page tells you what is and what isn't considered by the council in planning objections.

http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/planning-and-city-development/development-control/what-we-consider

This page gives you further information about the process

http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/in-your-area/planning-and-city-development/development-control/chancetospeak

The planners will take arguments about potential impact on the park as a designed landscape and as a community space much more seriously if you can tie your objections to their own polices. These are set out in the Unitary Development Plan (UDP). You can find the whole document online, but here is a summary of some key policies:

The relevant policy for protecting designed landscapes is BE21. This says that "the character, setting and appearance of historic parks and gardens will be protected".

There are several relevant 'open space' policies. Policy LR5 says "Development in Open Space Areas will not be permitted where (f) it would damage the character of a historic park or garden; or (k) the proposed use would be incompatible with surrounding land uses". Policy LR9 says "Redundant cemeteries, graveyards and crematoria will be retained as open space. Redevelopment of redundant cemeteries, graveyards and crematoria will be permitted only if it would (b) enhance public use and appreciation of the grounds".

anonymous comment
I think you really need to look at how you will coordinate the objections. It would be great if you could have someone of standing amongst the objectors, i.e formerly in a position of power. If the Arts Council are involved in any way, I don't know if they could assist. If CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) were contacted, maybe they could advise you. The more the merrier as well, the better written etc and with very calm heads. I'm sure you realise this but I know it's a stressful time for people so passionate about the project.

To actually make an objection it may be worthwhile speaking to someone at Howden House, asking for advice, informally and generally, on how to go about it, who to address the letters to. I'm still learning about this myself, but from speaking to Leeds Civic Trust I would approach it in this way. The planning department can't consider your case if they don't know the full story.

I would think you'll have a great arguement in that it is a conservation area and the appearance of the area and character of the locality will be dramatically affected by this proposed change of use. Materials being considered for use by Mr Wilkinson may be inappropriate in the conservation of the style of the building. Landscaping in the form of fencing off areas of the cemetery will, without doubt, alter the character of this sensitive area, in terms of heritage and value to the city as a whole. The location of the building in a cemetery is also sensitive in heritage terms and it must be considered that the character of the area has developed and strengthened with public use.

As a private residential development it is highly unlikely that it will increase benefit to the local economy or raise levels of public transport use as it will not attract visitors to the area. If the building were to be used on a daily basis by people who are primarily interested in cultural activities, it would benefit the local community and enhance available community facilities for the city as a whole. (Use of the building as a music centre would bring visitors on a daily basis as a facility for the public, which would in turn benefit local businesses, from shops and cafes to increased use of public transport to the area.)

As a private residential development it is also highly unlikely to encourage the creation of jobs. The creation of employment opportunities is much more likely if the building were to be used in other ways.