Website Special Areas

Owlthorpe Fields saved from housing development

After four years of campaigning, the Owlthorpe Fields Action Group has been told that long-standing plans to build housing on the wildlife haven are set to be shelved. Owlthorpe Fields was allocated for housing in the Sheffield Local Plan of the 1990s. The first two housing sites were developed in 1999, leaving three remaining sites which have undergone a natural rewilding. Plans to retake the housing project led to local residents protesting and the formation of the Action Group to campaign for the fields to be retained as a local wildlife site. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Claire Baker, chair of Owlthorpe Fields Action Group.

Campaigners rally to save historic Graves Park cafe

A demonstration to save the Rose Garden Cafe took place outside the Town Hall ahead of a Sheffield Council cabinet meeting. Over eleven thousand have signed a residents’ petition calling on the council to repair the much-loved cafe in Graves Park rather than have it demolished. The cafe was closed in July, without notice, after a council report found the roof was unstable and a risk to visitors. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to campaigner Liz Hnat and councillor Ian Auckland.

Hopes fade on saving Doncaster-Sheffield airport

Local politicians and union representatives claim Doncaster-Sheffield airport owners Peel Group have rejected credible offers from investors while owners Peel Group say it is not commercially viable. The last outbound flight from Doncaster-Sheffield airport took off on Saturday night as campaigners worked round the clock to prevent its closure. Peel have said the airport would be wound down following cessation of flights. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke Sarah Barnes from the GMB union.

Winter Gardens art installation marks festival of Sukkot

A city centre art installation has been brought together by PhD researcher Max Munday and community members to mark the Jewish festival of Sukkot. A temporary structure has been built in the Winter Gardens inspired by the shelters created by ancient Jews to provide protection in the desert after fleeing slavery in Egypt. Members of the public are invited to participate in reflecting on their past, their memories and their hopes. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Max Munday.

Anger over Hillsborough bus route cancellation

Hillsborough residents have been left angry and distraught at the decision of the First bus company to cancel the 52a route serving Wisewood and Lockley. The route was cut at the start of October with a replacement under a different operator offering less than half the previous peak time frequency and no Sunday, early morning or evening services. Over 1800 people have signed a petition to reinstate the service. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Hillsborough councillor George Lindars-Hammond.

City centre becoming “hard work” to navigate for the blind and partially sighted

Robert McCann told Sheffield Live! it is becoming more difficult to walk around the city centre for the blind and partially sighted due to the concrete blocks and flower pots that have been introduced in pedestrian throughfares. Robert McCann, who is severely visually impaired and involved in the Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind said navigating the city was “hard work as more and more obstacles have been put in the way”. Baillor Jalloh reports.

Tramlines offers route to industry for new music students

Sheffield’s Tramlines music festival is partnering with WaterBear music college to offer opportunities for music industry students to gain real world experience. WaterBear are opening a Sheffield centre at the site of the former Gatecrasher nightclub with a suite of degree courses on offer and covering areas such as production, performance, songwriting and business. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Alex Deadman, press officer for Tramlines Festival.

Full-fibre broadband extended in Sheffield

Homes and businesses in Sheffield may soon be able to access superfast broadband speeds of up to 1Gb per second as infrastructure provider CityFibre extends its rollout of digital connectivity. The company has reported that over 500km of fibre internet has now been laid beneath city streets as part of it’s £115m investment plan including in Burngreave, Handsworth, Manor, Woodhouse and Richmond, with work ongoing in other areas of the city. Sheffield Live ! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to area manager for CityFibre, Natalie Ward.

Disability charity calls for more support on energy costs

Sheffield Mencap is calling on the government to do more to help charities with their energy bills. The disability charity, which provides services and support to people with a learning disability or autism have seen their energy bills rise by 165 per cent and have been warned to expect more next year. The charity says the six month support announced by the government is just a short term solution. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!