A potted history:

The green space known as Owlthorpe Fields has been at risk of development for some time. It was divided up into different plots – named C, D, E and F. An application for planning permission to build 72 homes on Plot E was refused by Sheffield City Council, but despite the best efforts of dedicated local campaigners, that refusal was overturned following an appeal by Avant Homes, the developer. Building works on Plot E are now well under way.

Then some good news. Sheffield City Council published the draft Sheffield Plan, which sets out planning priorities for the city for the next 15 years. In the draft Plan, Plots C and D have been designated as a Local Green Space. This designation reflects the importance of the space in contributing to the health and well-being of the community, and offers a high degree of protection from development except in very limited circumstances.

However, this is not the end of the matter. Michael Meredith, who set up Ecological Owlthorpe, has raised alarm after learning that Plot F has in fact been included in the draft Plan, as a potential greenfield site for housing, with capacity for 151 homes.