North Active Consultation Feedback Report
This report provides an overview of feedback collected during a recent consultation
exercise on the proposed development of a leisure facility (North Active) on the
Thorncliffe Recreation Ground site in High Green. The consultation process was
managed jointly by Sheffield City Council and Ecclesfield Parish Council.
Consultation took place over a 6 week period, running from 7th December 2013 to
17th January 2014. The consultation processes captured the views and opinions of
users and trustees of Chapeltown Baths, local residents, businesses, local young
people, schools, stakeholders and potential users of the new facility.
Specific consultation methods included:
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Detailed information about the proposals on SCC’s and Ecclesfield Parish
Councils webpages and access to the online consultation questionnaire;
Local information/consultation points established at Chapeltown Baths,
Chapeltown and Stocksbridge Libraries, Ecclesfield Parish Council Office and
Stocksbridge Leisure Centre;
Consultation report produced by the North Youth Council to capture the views
of local young people;
Public meetings held in both High Green and Chapeltown (5 sessions in total);
Chapeltown Baths user group consultation evening;
Key stakeholder group consultation evening;
Consultation with the Healthy High Green Network;
Discussion with 4SLC and Stocksbridge Town Council.
During the consultation period information was emailed to over 1000 people, over
100 people attended face to face consultation sessions and 105 questionnaires were
completed (76 questionnaires were completed online).
A copy of this report will be made available to everyone who provided contact details
during the consultation process and will be posted on line at
www.sheffield.gov.uk/northactive .
The consultation exercised focused on the benefits that people think a new facility
will bring and any areas of concern they would like the Council and Parish Council to
address when developing the proposals
Location of Questionnaire Respondents
Questionnaire analysis shows that the majority of questionnaire respondents (72%)
came from the S35 area of the City which includes High Green, Chapeltown,
Ecclesfield and Grenoside amongst other areas. 8% of respondents came from the
S36 area of the City which includes Stocksbridge and Deepcar.
1%
Postcode of Respondents
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
S35
S36
2%
3%
S43
7%
S5
1%
S6
S61
S70
8%
S10
S20
S3
72%
S30
No Response
Perceived benefits of the new facility
Feedback received at the face to face meetings and public consultation workshops
was in the main very positive. The vast majority of people attending meetings were
supportive of the proposed development.
The key benefits identified throughout the consultation process are as follows:
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Investment in new facilities in High Green will act as a catalyst for further
investment in the area including the development of outdoor sports.
A modern purpose built facility will increase participation and usage.
The new facility will help to bring the communities of Chapeltown and High
Green together.
The new facility will be more economical and environmentally friendly.
Development will bring increased trade for local businesses.
Increased provision and choice of fitness classes in the local area.
New facility will help to address health inequalities in a deprived area
A bigger pool and separate learner pool will enable an increase in the
provision of swimming lessons in the area.
Development of the facility will help to deliver much needed improvements to
the road layout on Pack Horse Lane
A new facility will ensure the future sustainability of swimming provision in the
area
Questionnaire responses
The graph below gives a breakdown of the responses received to the questionnaire.
The main benefit identified from questionnaire responses is the development of
improved and modern facilities offering a wider range of choice. Some respondents
did suggest that it would be better to use the funding to develop an existing facility, a
response to this feedback is provided later on in this report.
What benefits do you think the proposed
facility will bring?
Closer location/easier to access
None
Cost benefits/financial gain
Increase local employment and trade
Improve health and wellbeing
Improve local community spirit/feeling
None- Chapeltown/Stocksbridge could still be
used/improved and poor transport links
Improved modern facilities/wider range of
facilities
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Issues to be considered
The consultation exercise also sought to identify any concerns that people have
regarding the proposed development.
Below are list of key questions that were raised during the consultation process
along with the response provided by Sheffield City Council and Ecclesfield Parish
Council.
Question – Will the new facility be more expensive than Chapeltown Baths? (Cost of
swimming, swimming lessons, gym membership etc.)
Response – this will be a key consideration when tendering for an operating
company for the new facility. SCC will have an input into the pricing strategy for the
new facility and will ensure that the price is affordable for local people.
Question – How will the facility impact on outdoor sports and the delivery of the
Thorncliffe Masterplan
Response – The Council continue to work with the outdoor sports groups to ensure
that the positioning/orientation of the new facility has a minimal impact on the
outdoor sports provision. Current plans indicate that less than 10% of the green
space will be affected; this currently impacts on one outdoor football pitch. It is
expected that the delivery of North Active project will provide opportunities for the
Council to draw down external funding for improvements to the outdoor sports areas.
Question – How will this proposal impact on properties adjacent to the new
development?
Response – Officers are working closely with the Proximal Mortomley Lane
Residents Group to ensure that their views are considered when developing detailed
designs for the new facility. The group have been made aware that they will have
further opportunity to express their views on the proposed development when
planning permission for the facility is considered.
Question – How will public transport links from Chapeltown and Stocksbridge to the
new facility be addressed?
Response – The Council will approach SYPTE to discuss possible alterations to
existing routes.
Question – What consideration will be given to the increase in traffic, parking issues
and narrow access on Pack Horse Lane?
Response – When developing the proposal a detailed traffic survey will be
undertaken to assess the parking requirements and the potential increase in traffic in
the area. The surveys will inform a detailed plan for highways improvements.
Question – Why not use the funding to replace/refurbish Chapeltown Pool or
Stocksbridge pool?
Response – Consideration was given to providing a replacement facility on the site
of the existing pool at Chapeltown. However, the site is too small to accommodate
anything bigger than a 5 lane pool, parking is already limited and the key funders of
the new project were not able to fund a direct pool replacement on the Chapeltown
site.
Similarly, funding partners were not able to invest in pool refurbishment or
replacement in Stocksbridge; this is primarily due to the limited catchment area.
Question – What will happen to the funding that is currently provided to Chapeltown
Baths?
Response – The funding provided to operate Chapeltown Baths will be transferred
to the new facility.
Question –Will there be Job losses at Chapeltown Baths?
Response – All staff employed at Chapeltown Baths will be offered a new contract
of employment at the new facility with the same terms and conditions.
Question – Will the existing users of Chapeltown Baths transfer to the new pool?
Response – Consultation has already started with pool users and whilst the new
pool will serve a wider area and therefore more customers than the existing pool,
everything will be done to accommodate the needs of existing users. In particular
the needs of clubs will be met as far as possible.
Question – Will the new facility provide spectator viewing?
Response –. When developing the detailed designs for the project we will explore
options for formal and informal viewing areas.
Question –What impact will the development will have on other local groups (e.g.
Scouts/PACES)
Response – The current proposal will not impact on the Scouts building, there is a
need to acquire a small proportion of their frontage to enable to access to the new
facility – this will not impact on the Scouts business.
When developing a programme of activity for the new facility we will offer to work
with PACES to ensure that we do not duplicate activity and adversely affect their
business.
Question –What security measures will be in place at the new facility? (Outdoor
lighting, security cameras etc.)
Response – Security will be a key consideration when developing detailed designs
for the new facility.
Question – How will noise pollution from the new facility be managed?
Response – The impact of noise pollution is a planning consideration, design and
orientation of the facility will seek to limit the level of noise pollution.
Questionnaire responses
The graph below shows a breakdown of the questionnaire responses received.
Do you have any issues or concerns that you
would like the Council to address when
developing this proposal?
Car parking
Impact on Scout Groups
Why close Stocksbridge and then open a new
facility/ Why not invest in current venues?
What's going to happen to existing Chapeltown
site/ loss of existing Chapeltown pool/ funds…
Include other facilities (e.g. sports hall, sauna,
leisure and lane swimming, running track, slides…
Current staff at Chapeltown Baths keeping their
jobs
Safety/security of area (e.g. CCTV in parks)
Loss of football pitches/green space, impact on
local teams
Cost of membership/ user costs
Access to site- location/ lack of public transport/
limited bus service
Increase in traffic (esp Mortomley Lane, Pack Horse
Lane and Wortley Road), roads too narrow, lack…
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Next Steps
1. The Councils Cabinet will make a decision about the SCC funding contribution for
the new development at its meeting on 19th February 2014. Feedback from the
consultation process will be included in the report.
2. Ecclesfield Parish Council will be asked to consider the consultation feedback
and their funding contribution at the Parish Council Meeting on 6th March 2014.
3. A copy of this report will be sent to everyone who provided their contact details
during the consultation process.
4. A Consultation Stakeholder Group will be established to ensure key stakeholders
are able to feed in views as the detailed designs for the facility are developed.
5. We will update members of the public at key milestones as the project
progresses; information will be available online at
www.sheffield.gov.uk/northactive and will also be shared with people who have
provided email contact details.