23 August 2007

Dear Sir

So "City Living" has brought millions for green spaces from developers in the last 5 years (Star August 10). But at what cost ? Poorly designed, high rise buildings without amenities and no sense of community. Minimum environmental building standards that waste energy and increase tenants bills. Failure to enforce social housing guidelines as waiting lists rocket. "Buy to Let" absentee landlords and vacant apartments. An increasing concensus that we are building the slums of the future.

The Anglo Works redevelopment on Trippet Lane is a good example of where power lies and the horrific consequences. Forced by planners to retain the historic facade, developers have responded by connecting the buildings with ugly and inappropriate plastic and glass. Meanwhile West One, the original flagship apartment development, is at the centre of the 24 hour youth drinking culture spilling over from West Street. Residents find themselves fighting numerous battles against extended club and liquor licences that guarantee noise and anti social behaviour well into the early hours.

City centres are meant to be lived in and many European cities are successful examples of this. However, the British epidemic of drunken, anti social behaviour brings danger, noise and stress with planners and licensing authorities failing to give adequate protection to residents. It's time for the council to exert far more control over development in Sheffield. The Sheffield Development Framework must dictate the highest building standards and higher affordable housing quotas. The Planning Department must insist on high quality designs in appropriate locations. We must wrest back control from developers and stop "City Living" from becoming a failed social experiment that damages the city for decades to come.

Yours Sincerely

Eamonn Ward
Sheffield Green Party