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Latest news from the Sheffield Live! teams

Discounted starter homes to be built in Sheffield and Rotherham

The government has confirmed funding for thousands of homes to help first-time buyers get on to the property ladder with Sheffield and Rotherham among 30 local authority partnerships selected. The investment is part of the £1.2bn “Starter Homes Land Fund” for new developments on brownfield sites. Starter Homes are new homes built exclusively for first-time buyers between 23 and 40 years old at a discount of at least 20% below market value. The first properties are due to go on sale in 2018. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Rail commuters protest against fare increases

Sheffield rail users voiced their anger at the latest rise in train fares at a demonstration outside Sheffield station. The protest was part of a countrywide action by commuters and other passengers following the announcement of fare rises averaging 2.3% for a single fare journey. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Arise our Jess!

Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill has been made a dame in the New Year Honours list. The thirty year old heptathlete received the award for her services to athletics. Dame Jessica, who won gold at London 2012 Olympics and silver four years later in the Rio Olympics announced her retirement from the sport in October. In her brilliant career she has been a three-time world champion three times, as well as European champion and Commonwealth champion. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake takes a look back at her golden career.

Learner drivers to be allowed on motorways

Learner drivers will be allowed on to motorways for the first time if new government plans are approved. Transport minister Andrew Jones says the move would help make British roads safer. The lessons will not be mandatory and driving instructors will decide when their students are ready. The Department for Transport is also looking at trialling a target number of hours of lessons to complete before learners take their test. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Young and old celebrate New Year with traditional tea dance

Sheffield young and old gathered at the Sheffield City Hall ballroom for a traditional New Years Eve celebration. Traditional ball room dancing has taken place in Sheffield since the 1930s with couples quickstepping and waltzing around the art deco room and the New Years Eve tea dances remaining as popular as ever. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

 

Save Nether Edge Trees report highlights needless felling

The Save Nether Edge Trees group have published results of detailed analysis into Nether Edge trees scheduled to be felled by Council contractors, Amey. There are 1095 street trees on adopted roads in the S7 area and 172 of them are threatened with felling. The area covered by the analysis is bounded by Brincliffe Edge Road, Sandford Grove Road, Marden Road, Abbeydale Road, Sharrow Lane, and Psalter Lane. The research was carried out by Paul Selby who concludes only fourteen of the trees actually require felling. Simon Thake reports for Shefield Live!

Sheffield bed company forced to close after infant death

Sheffield-based furniture manufacturer Playtime Beds has been forced to stop trading as a result of a police investigation into the death of a seven month old baby. Police have questioned a 35 year old man as part of a joint investigation into the organisation launched with Trading Standards. North Yorkshire Police confirmed that the seven month old died on 3rd November at a property in Melrosegate, York. Playtime Beds of Sheffield, has issued a safety warning stating that its made-to-measure beds “could lead to risks to children such as asphyxiation or strangulation, falling, entrapment or crushing”. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Bare Legs Brian gets his kilt on for 2017

Former teacher Brian Jackson from Greenhill, Sheffield has pledged to wear a kilt for the whole of 2017 to raise money for motor neurone disease. Brian is known as Bare Legs Brian after undertaking a similar campaign back in 2015 when he wore shorts all year round. Brian’s wife died from motor neurone disease and he is determined to raise money for this fatal disease. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Pay-As-You-Feel supermarket opens in Sheffield to reduce food waste

The team behind Sheffield’s Real Junk Food Project have opened the UK’s second Pay-As-You-Feel supermarket on Christmas Eve. Located on Carlisle Street, Pitsmoor, The Sharehouse Market is open for twelve days offering the Pay-As-You-Feel service using surplus food other supermarkets have thrown away. The first shop using this model was opened in Leeds earlier this year. The idea is based on individuals paying with time, money or skills in exchange for any volume of food. Customers can volunteer, make a financial contribution or apply a skill, all to sustain the project. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Jo Hercberg of the Real Junk Food Project.

Sheffield pub gets Christmas boost as officials recommend rejecting supermarket bid

Campaigners fighting to save a Sheffield pub received an early Christmas present this week when council officers said plans to turn it into a shop should be rejected. Sainsbury’s revealed its plan to convert The Plough at Sandygate in August, confirming the fears of many living nearby. A community campaign was launched to save the pub and it was successfully listed as an asset of community value, meaning planning permission would be required for any change of use and the community would have six months to bid for it if it went up for sale. Planning officers have now recommended that the Council should reject Sainsbury’s plans. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Peter Duff, Chair of the Save the Plough group.