Appendix 1 - Improvements to Ellesmere Green Consultation July 12 Comments from questionnaires and e-mails received
Identifier (number of people
who gave this comment)
1 (13)
Comment
Keep toilets and refurbish them/ Don’t
demolish the toilets
2 (1)
3 (2)
Demolish toilets
Improve signing to toilets
4 (1)
Keep/ improve bus stops (include timetable
for buses)
5 (6)
Make Ellesmere Green more family and
children friendly
6 (1)
Don’t make it too ornamental; keep the grass
and trees
7 (1)
Cut down some of the trees, too dark in
summer
8 (2)
Include a fountain as part of the development
Action Taken
This is not accepted. Given that the majority of respondents were in
favour of the demolition of the toilets plus that there are other toilet
facilities available in Sorby House (175m/ 200 yards from the existing
toilets), the poor condition of the existing toilets and their high
maintenance costs, it has been decided to demolish the existing toilet
block and advertise the availability and location of Sorby House at the
Green.
This has been agreed. See 1 above.
This is accepted. We are assuming this is comment refers to improving
the advertising of the available facilities at Sorby House, which will be
done.
This is accepted. The two existing bus stops at the Green will be
retained: one at the same location on Spital Hill and the other one will
be moved a few meters on Ellesmere Road to create the new Events
Space.
This is accepted. Part of the feedback we have received as part of the
consultation has been to extend the type and users of the Green, to be
more family and children friendly. The proposed railings will be a
positive measure to increase the security of the Green and we will look
at having some public art feature which can be attractive to young
children. Unfortunately, the Green cannot have play equipment as it is
not a park.
This is accepted. The trees and grass will be improved and there will be
new planting of shrubs, bulbs and flower mainly around the central
seating area.
This is accepted. The proposal is to remove some trees to create a new
square / events space and a central meeting point. Four new trees are
proposed to enhance the pedestrian crossing to the Ellesmere Shops
(the four of them will be on the pavement, not on the Green and they
are subject to further investigation regarding existing underground
stats).
This is not accepted. This comment was only made by a small number
of people and although it was considered, it will not be taken forward for
a number of reasons. Firstly, water features are highly expensive
projects that require high levels of maintenance and the funding is not
1
9 (5)
Include extra seating
10 (4)
CCTV
11 (4)
Extra lighting/ low energy lighting
12 (4)
More police
13 (6)
Improve parking restrictions/ more wardens
14 (1)
Pedestrianise Ellesmere Road
15 (1)
Add pedestrian crossing to Ellesmere Road
16 (2)
Pigeons (ban feeding/ cull pigeons)
available in the current scheme to afford this. This would prove to be
the case even for a small fountain. Secondly, we consider that it is
more appropriate to have an attractive piece of public art at the centre
of the Green that enables people to look at each other.
This is accepted. The proposals include replacement of existing
benches in the central seating area. In addition to these, there are
stone sitting wall around the events space and on the Ellesmere Road
to provide additional informal sitting spaces.
This cannot be considered through this project. However, we have
passed the comment on to South Yorkshire Police, North East Safer
Neighbourhood Area for their consideration.
This is accepted. The proposals include increasing the lighting on the
Green to make it safer. The new lights will be low energy lighting.
This cannot be considered through this project. However, we have
passed the comment on to South Yorkshire Police, North East Safer
Neighbourhood Area for their consideration.
This is accepted. Currently, there are no time restrictions for parking.
Subject to parking detailed surveys, the scheme is proposing the
introduction of a time limit, which is still to be decided in consultation
with local traders. The next steps to achieve this are to go through a
‘Traffic Regulation Order’, the legal process required to introduce
changes to the parking restrictions. This will be advertised in due
course and people will be able to comment at that time. Should the
short stay parking be approved, then Parking Services would be
informed of the changes and asked to carry out appropriate
enforcement.
This is not accepted. This would be a very expensive exercise that
would require extensive highway works, diversions to the bus routes
which may require new stops and would also remove all parking and
alternatives for the existing businesses on Ellesmere Road. This would
not be acceptable to local traders or shoppers in general. Since the
closure of Carlisle St, the number of cars in this area has decreased
and together with the improved pedestrian links between the Green and
Ellesmere Road shops, this option is not recommended.
This is accepted. The proposal includes improved pedestrian links
between the Green and Ellesmere Road shops.
The problem of the unacceptable and illegal feeding of pigeons at the
Green is accepted. The new design will include larger signs about this
2
17 (2)
No dogs
18 (6)
More bins and introduce recycling bins
19 (2)
Relocate commercial bins
20 (2)
Include a shelter/ canopy as part of the
proposal
21 (2)
Is there enough funding for maintenance?
22 (1)
New railing and Gates would be good
23 (1)
Disabled parking bay outside post office
24 (1)
Safer crossing point is a waste of time as
people will use as car park.
25 (1)
Steeped seating around events’ area
26 (2)
Keep direct path across the Green from
activity and its impact on the number of rats at the Green and a leaflet
will be produced for all traders and occupiers around Spital Hill to try to
educate people to stop doing this at this public space. An improved
maintenance regime we hope will also help, although this is ultimately a
very difficult problem to solve.
The Council cannot prevent dogs from using the Green. However, we
can have notices about dog fowling and we will explore ways of
managing dog waste. Free dog waste bags could also be made
available at the library.
The issue of more bins is accepted. Currently, there is only 1 bin at the
Green and we will increase this to 3 or 4. Because of emptying
regimes, recycling bins cannot be placed at the Green.
We are assuming that this is for commercial bins on Gower St. As part
of the scheme, the Council will explore the possibility of creating some
bin storage space at the car park off Ellesmere Road for the
commercial bins on Gower St.
This is not accepted. The proposal may encourage unwanted
gatherings and rough sleeping at the centre of the Green and will not
therefore be pursued.
Appropriate maintenance for the improved Green is essential.
Ellesmere Green is currently maintained by Highways which has now
been transferred to Amey. We will undertake detailed discussions with
Amey about the future maintenance of the Green and ensure that
sufficient funding is available for this.
This is partly accepted. As part of the proposals, high quality metal
railings are proposed to surround the Green to protect the planting,
enhance the space and make it a safer area for children, but no gates
are proposed.
Consideration will be given by the project team to the provision of a
disabled parking bay in the vicinity of the post office.
This is not accepted. Although the current high levels of illegal parking
at the Green is accepted, we will ensure that the proposed improved
pedestrian links between the Green and Ellesmere Road shops are
protected by bollards or other such measures to prevent illegal parking
after the improvements to the Green are completed.
This not accepted. There will be sitting walls around the edge of the
events space, but it is not proposed to be steeped as this lead to
unwanted BMX and skate board use.
This is not accepted. An additional footpath opposite Gower Street
3
outside Mosque across to bus stop on Spital
Hill
27 (1)
Have arms on seating
28 (1)
Use spare land for car sales
29 (1)
30 (1)
Abusive children is a problem
Interfaith Tree needs to be visible to
Burngreave community
31 (1)
Are Tesco contributing (S106)?
32 (1)
Market area should be larger.
33 (1)
How will the bus stop when the street market
is on?
34 (1)
Would like more cycle stands
35 (1)
Would like some tennis tables
36 (1)
Concerns about road safety in the area –
would not lead pedestrians to a safe place to cross. Also, it is intended
for this to be the location for public art /informal play and it would have
a direct access through the fence to a busy road. Also, when the
proposed changes are implemented (events space and relocation of
the Interfaith Tree), it will be quicker to walk via the footway on
Ellesmere Road to the bus stop.
This is accepted. These seats are also preferred by old or disabled
users.
This is not accepted. We don’t actually know what spare land the
responded is referring to. However, no land on the Green can be used
for car sales and the Council does not own any land around the shops
on Gower St or Ellesmere Road
This is not something this project can do anything about.
This is accepted. The aim of the proposal to move the Interfaith Tree a
short distance is to make the tree more visible and prominent and also
provide it with a higher quality setting.
Tesco are not contributing to the upgrade of Ellesmere Green.
However, as part of their planning obligations for their new store at
Savile St, Tesco will fund the public realm upgrade on Spital Hill (this is
new paving, new lights and bins from Caborn Corner to the top of Spital
Hill).
This is accepted. Since the toilet block is going to be demolished, we
will explore if the events space can be made larger. This is of course,
subject to detailed design and funding availability.
There is no firm proposal of an occasional street market at present.
However, if there was one in the future, Ellesere Road would be closed
off during the day of the market (the stretch opposite Ellesmere Green)
and the buses would go round the Green (via Spital Hill and Gower St)
and stop further up Ellesmere Road. Buses stopping at the Spital Hill
bus stop of the Green would not be affected.
This is accepted. Subject to funding a availability, the project team will
explore the installation of additional cycle stands.
This is not accepted. There is not an appropriate space at the Green for
a tennis table and maintenance funding for this would be outside what
is available in the current budget. We think this comment could be in
reference to the table tennis tables that were temporally set up in the
Peace Gardens as part of the Olympic celebrations. Spital Hill is also
prone to high winds we do not feel it would be appropriate.
In terms of the safety of the proposed scheme, It is considered that
4
traffic calming
37 (1)
Railings are unnecessary
38 (10
Turn Ellesmere Green into a car park
39 (1)
Art work or sculpture
40 (1)
Concerns about congestion and car parking
in the area
Is there enough space for market stalls?
41 (1)
42 (1)
43 (1)
44 (1)
45 (1)
Will we be able to get the no. 36 bus from
here?
Make walls of planters low (extra seating) –
follow natural walkway of the Green
Removal of bus stop a mistake. People will
walk that way anyway.
Public art aimed at children would be nice.
Respondent feels intimidated by male
behaviour in Ellesmere Green (sexual
traffic speeds are already low due to the close proximity of the junction
with Gower Street and the bend on Ellesmere Green itself. The
proposed road hump will further help to keep speeds to a minimum,
and parking is to be better regulated leading to a safer pedestrian
environment.
This is not accepted. High quality metal railings such as those that are
proposed to surround the Green will protect the planting, enhance the
space and make it a safer area for children. 63% of respondents have
indicated that new railings are a ‘very important’ or ‘important’ element
in the proposals for the Green.
This is not accepted. Ellesmere Green is a well used public space and
70% of the respondents to the consultation have agreed that the
proposed vision and use of the Green is the appropriate one. There are
sufficient car parking facilities available in the area.
This is accepted. A piece of public art is proposed for the new central
meeting point and also we are looking into the possibility of a children’s
public art feature. In addition to this, there will be a significant piece of
public art outside Vestry Hall as well as at Caborn’s Corner and some
hoardings on Savile St and Spital Hill.
See response to no.13
As we have indicated in no. 33 above, there are no firm plans for an
occasional market on the Green/ Ellesmere Road. We understand that
if there is one, the market stalls will be located on Ellesmere Road itself
with the events area being used for entertainment.
Yes. No change in the current buses is proposed.
We are proposing several locations within the Green that have ‘sitting
walls’ surrounding planting areas.
We are not entirely sure of what this comment means. The proposal is
to relocate the bys lay-by on Ellesmere Road to create the event space,
not to remove it completely. Also, the existing unofficial footpath
through the Green to the bus stop on Spital Hill has been removed as
when the proposed changes are implemented (events space and
relocation of the Interfaith Tree), it will be quicker to walk via the
footway on Ellesmere Road to the bus stop
As regards the children, this is accepted. See response to comment no.
5
The point about intimidation my some male users of the Green is noted
5
harassment)
46 (1)
Direct path from current bus stop on Spital
Hill to make accessing the Green more user
friendly
47 (1)
Giant chess board at the Green or something
like that to increase diversity
48 (1)
Real concerns about drug taking and illegal/
antisocial behaviour on the Green
49 (1)
It will not be safe to move it to the new
location on the map as it will be dangerous
due to the large camber in the road as you
turn in Ellesmere Road from Burngreave
Road
There may be bodies on the Green from the
previous church
The idea of new planting is good but would
prefer if the planted areas were not just made
up of flowers but also plants/ herbs/
vegetables which could be free for anyone to
pick. This would have economic and
educational benefits.
Burngreave TARA has made the following
comments:
a) parking problems; pressure needs to
be applied from parking services to
take action against parking offenders
b) graves
50 (1)
51 (1)
52 (Burngreave Tara)
and it has been forwarded to the South Yorkshire Police, North East
Safer Neighbourhood Area for their information. The inclusion of public
art / ‘informal play’ should help to readdress the balance of users in the
space.
The paths have been designed to give good access to the Green, and
we are reluctant to direct pedestrians to unsafe places to cross. Also,
the existing unofficial footpath through the Green to the bus stop on
Spital Hill has been removed as when the proposed changes are
implemented (events space and relocation of the Interfaith Tree), it will
be quicker to walk via the footway on Ellesmere Road to the bus stop
There is not an appropriate space at the Green for a giant chess board
and maintenance funding for this would be outside what is available in
the current budget. However, subject to budget and maintenance
issues, the project team will look into the feasibility of installing a small
chess table.
This point is noted and it has been forwarded to the South Yorkshire
Police, North East Safer Neighbourhood Area for their information and
consideration. Opening up the centre of the Green by removing some
of the trees would allow more light and surveillance for users which in
turn should increase safety.
This point is noted and will be passed on to Highways Engineers in
charge of taking forward the relocation of the bus stop. Clearly, such
move will only proceed if it meets all the safety and highway
regulations.
This is not accepted. We have looked at this issue and All the
indications at present indicate
This is not accepted. This would require high maintenance which we
cannot guarantee and we could not guarantee hygene standards for
anything grown on the Green. We also consider that Ellesmere Green
is not the appropriate location for these suggestions.
Response:
a) Agree; see responses 13 and 24 above
b) we are currently reviewing the deeds of the former Wicker
6
Congregational church to check this issue
c) subsidence
c) agreed - this will be an issue we will need to resolve before we
d) would it be possible to remove some
proceed with the planned improvements
d) this will be investigated by highway engineers as part of the
improvements
e)
f)
g)
h)
of the curb near the re-located bus
stop?
The TARA has asked for the Council
top replace or re-site their notice
board (currently on the Green)
That the new benches have
separation sections on them to stop
people lying down and sleeping rough
That the Council work with Sage
Fingers regarding planting of the area
That the public toilets on the Green
are retained
e) agreed – we are happy to install a new notice board
f) agreed – see comment no. 27
g) agreed – Lucia is already in touch with Sage
h) not agreed. See comment no. 1
7