Local councillors support residents over Staindrop Lodge planning application

Ecclesfield Parish Council’s Planning and Environmental Committee last Thursday discussed a planning application relating to the former Staindrop Lodge Hotel in Chapeltown.

Chair of the Committee and City Councillor, Cllr Alan Hooper said “There have been over 150 objections to this application, and representatives of the local community presented a compelling and cogent case against the planning application, which gained the unanimous support of committee members. Local residents have had a difficult 12 months with the temporary arrangements, and I’ve been involved in ensuring that Sheffield City Council Officers listen to the views of local residents and implement changes at the former hotel to minimise the impact on the local community.”

The hotel has been for sale for a long time, and the planning application proposed converting the 36 bedrooms into studio flats and using other available space to convert into another 8 flats.

Local Councillor Mike Levery stated “Accommodation for homeless people with complex needs requires good access to the necessary support services and needs to be on a relatively small scale to give the vital 1:1 support needed. A former hotel extended to convert 44 bedrooms into small ensuite flats is not appropriate; this application does not provide the specialist areas to support vulnerable residents, and its location is remote from the support services they need. Cllr Hooper and I will support local residents throughout this period and will speak in opposition to this proposal due to its size, unsuitable internal layout, inappropriate location and lack of support services in the locality. That isn't to say that we oppose any facilities for the homeless in North Sheffield because we don't; but it has to meet the tests that Staindrop Lodge doesn't meet before receiving our support.”

The planning application will go to Sheffield City Council’s Planning and Highways Committee for consideration by Councillors.

Cllr Levery added “The planning application states that “the suitability of the Staindrop Lodge Hotel for the use proposed has effectively already been established by Sheffield City Council”. It is one thing housing rough sleepers under Emergency COVID legislation on a temporary basis; it is quite another setting up long term accommodation for the homeless on a large scale in a residential area with none of the support services to hand.”

Planning Application 21/00266/ FU is open to comment/objection until Wednesday 10 March.

Over 150 comments/objections have been lodged so far.

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