Local News
Issue 1308
Call 0114 283 1100
8th February 2024
www.looklocal.org.uk
5
MEETING DISCUSSES PROPOSALS FOR NEW BUILDING IN TOWN CENTRE In a well-attended meeting chaired by Barbara Horsman, chair of the Stocksbridge Community Forum, residents expressed deep concerns regarding a proposed new building in the Stocksbridge Town Centre. The gathering, held to discuss the recent planning application, highlighted a notable lack of consultation and communication with local residents prior to its submission. According to notes taken by Horsman, attendees unanimously voiced opposition to the proposed building, citing its potential negative impact on several smaller community-led projects. These projects, including a cycle trail link-up, river clean-up, hydrotherapy pool, and shop front improvements, are deemed essential to the local area's development and well-being. The community also emphasised the possibility of refurbishing the existing library, instead of knocking it down, advocating for an insulating refurbishment and potential additions such as photovoltaic panels and grey-water catchment systems. Concerns were raised about relocating the local archive, with attendees expressing a desire to keep it within the library for accessibility and community preservation purposes. Regarding community space, participants noted the abundance of underused spaces in the valley, questioning the necessity of additional developments. Concerns were also raised about the visual impact of a large new building along Manchester Road, particularly if it were to be used for offices, exacerbating existing parking problems and congestion in the area.
recent closures, and instead suggested focusing on repurposing existing areas, such as the old sinking cellars in front of the library, into landscaped spaces.
The meeting also addressed broader community needs, including the long-awaited implementation of a hopper bus and the potential reinstatement of the tram bus. Concerns were raised about the lack of progress on plans to reopen the railway for passenger use, despite Attendees expressed scepticism about the via- community demand. bility of another café in the town centre, given
Furthermore, attendees highlighted the importance of considering the needs of disabled individuals in all planning decisions, emphasising the challenges they face in navigating the town centre.
February 28th, at 6 pm at The Venue, where a police report will also be on the agenda, reflecting the community's commitment to addressing a range of issues affecting Stocksbridge.
Transparency, value for money, adherence to due processes, and rules were also focal points of discussion, with several participants urging authorities to uphold these principles throughout the decision-making process.
STOCKSBRIDGE 519: Will be home to a brand new library, communtiy space and a cafe on the ground floor. The first floor will be home to managed workspace for local businesses with a further floor housing classrooms for adult skills and education.
The meeting concluded with plans for a follow-up session scheduled for Wednesday,
Photo: www.welcometostocksbridge.co.uk
Major step toward re-opening Doncaster-Sheffield Airport South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, has announced that the region will take a major step toward re-opening DoncasterSheffield Airport (DSA) and allow for a 10-year plan to drive economic growth in Doncaster, subject to the decision of the Mayoral Combined Authority Board on 13 February 2024. Fifteen months since DSA was closed by owners Peel Group, the Mayor, City of Doncaster Council and the Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) have been working tirelessly in the interests of the public and businesses in South Yorkshire to find a way to re-open it that is legally and financially sound and protects the taxpayer.
Last summer, the MCA awarded City of Doncaster Council £3.1 million to prepare an Outline Business Case to take control of the airport through a leasing arrangement, re-establish operations under a new business model, and use the asset as an anchor for growth at the wider Gateway East site to support economic regeneration and benefits to the city and region as a whole. The Outline Business Case, published today, states that reopening the airport provides the best opportunity to secure economic growth and wellbeing not just in Doncaster but will have wider benefits for South Yorkshire as a whole.
City of Doncaster Council will have £138 million made available by the MCA via Gainshare to support economic ambitions including as outlined in the Doncaster Place Investment Plan which includes South Yorkshire Airport City and Gateway East. Elements of activity could also be supported from other MCA funding that has been set aside to support this project. Ultimately, significant investment is going into Doncaster to help it pursue the jobs, growth and opportunity it wants, and it will be local and regional residents and businesses who will benefit.
