PLANNING INSPECTOR BACKS COMPLETION OF SHEAF TRAIL AT MILLHOUSES
​​Trust Chair Simon Ogden commented ‘ We welcome the Inspector’s clear decision and the Planning Committee’s courageous support. We believe that an attractive public trail following the river here will particularly benefit residents, clients and staff at the admirable STEPS Clinic and of the Jacobs Gate sheltered housing as well as the much wider community. River stewardship and environmental monitoring by our volunteers will also be enabled. We look forward to working with the two land owners to complete the work and final connections as soon as possible and if necessary will offer our volunteers to help to keep the new trail in good condition.’
​​​
​
​
​
The Planning Inspectorate has dismissed an appeal by the private therapy clinic STEPS and developer Gladman/Adlington against the decision of Sheffield’s Planning Committee in October 2024 to require construction of a riverside walking, wheeling and cycling route at a width suitable for all uses on their land along the River Sheaf.
​
This will hopefully bring to conclusion a six year campaign by the Sheaf and Porter Rivers Trust, the Millhouses, Ecclesall and Carter Knowle Community Association and local councillors to secure compliance with planning conditions first set and agreed by the appellants in 2016.
​
Construction of the 120 metre trail beside the STEPS building will enable an attractive and traffic-free connection from Troutbeck Road to the riverside at Tesco’s Millhouses store, then to Millhouses Park and beyond including an adjoining section of trail at Jacobs Gate sheltered housing operated by Adlington completed some five years ago but never opened.
​
​
​
​​​
​
​
​
Share your wildlife sightings
Please consider sharing your interesting river corridor wildlife sightings with us by sending details / photos on to our member John le Corney at johnlecorney@gmail.com
​