Plans to construct 3,500 new homes on unspoilt farmland near Sheffield have ignited fury among local residents, with farmers facing the prospect of losing their livelihoods. Thousands of locals have rallied against proposals to build on 14 rural sites in South Yorkshire as part of Labour's target to deliver 13,000 homes by 2045.
However, since farmland constitutes 70 per cent of the proposed sites, the plans contradict Keir Starmer's earlier pledge this year to 'not plough through farmland'. Locals argue that their livelihoods would be destroyed under these proposals, including the Riddle family, who would be forced to surrender their tenancy of nearly half a century to make way for 592 homes.
Farmer Andrew Riddle, 'Sheffield born and bred', discovered his home was under threat after it was included in plans for new homes, cemeteries, and schools published in the local paper. The revelation has left Mr Riddle, 70, and his wife Adele fearing for the future, despite having cared for the land in Ecclesfield, South Yorkshire, for 45 years after signing a tenancy with Sheffield City Council in 1981.
Mrs Riddle, 66, told the Daily Mail that the family are 'devastated' over their treatment by the council, leading to her being 'admitted to hospital overnight with stress-related illness'. She said: 'We found out at the same time as everyone else via an article in the Sheffield Star that the farm was to be built on. We have had this hanging over us now for nearly a year and the strain is taking a significant toll on our wellbeing and our family.'
Their tenancy is three-generational, and the couple have 'ploughed hundreds of thousands', or nearly all of their life savings, into rebuilding the farm under the belief it would remain in the family for years to come. They hoped to pass the farm to their children Kathryn, 38, who has diversified the land with a cattery and livery yard, and 31-year-old son Alistair, who assists with the farm's accounts.
Mrs Riddle added: 'Our lease says this is a three-generation lease and we are the first generation so we had also invested heavily in the farm for our son and daughter to continue.' The farming tenants condemn the Labour Government for going against their pledge to leave farmland out of planning proposals, stating that 'Sheffield's Local Plan does the exact opposite' by 'ploughing through 170 hectares of farmland'.
This came after the planning document was deemed 'sound' by the HM Planning Inspectorate following a public hearing in January, after minor changes were made. Out of the 14 rural sites, 90 per cent of the land sits within two postcodes - S35 and S13 - and were proposed to address a shortfall in the city's housing and employment land allocation. The motion was voted in by 45 councillors out of 84 in May last year, backed by every Green Party representative and 12 out of 15 Labour councillors.
As a result, the Riddles have branded the Green Party 'total hypocrites', adding: 'We have invited the Green Party councillors to come and look at the farm and we would take them around. However to date not one of them has taken them up on the offer or even been in contact with us.' Consultations are being held by Sheffield County Council until May 5, yet campaigners from the group Sheffield Green Belt Alliance say the plans as they stand would 'destroy' everything they 'love' about where they live.
Jo Tunstall, 55, who leads the campaign against building in postcode S35, said the plans would 'destroy everything [she] loves about where [she] lives'. Seven of the proposed sites lie within two miles of her home. The programme manager, who has lived in Sheffield for most of her life, told the Mail: 'The Green Party have deviated from their principles to protect nature with thousands of trees at risk, miles of ancient hedgerows to be ripped out, local wildlife site destruction, priority habitats and protected species bulldozed and irreparable damage to ancient woodland that sits on the sites selected.'
She accused the party of 'believing' the 'narrative' Labour 'sold them' that 'all brownfield sites have been exhausted', despite her claims that her group has provided evidence to the contrary. Sheffield County Council told the Mail that 80 per cent of new homes are expected to be built on brownfield land, while 'brownfield sites alone cannot meet Sheffield's future housing and jobs needs over the plan period to 2039'. It is understood that 96 per cent of green belt land will be untouched and protected through the Sheffield Plan.
Ms Tunstall said food security is a 'major concern', adding: 'The sites selected are not sustainable development, they destroy farmers' livelihoods, wipe out nature and wildlife that cannot be recreated with urban green space designated in a plan and the overdevelopment will run our communities into the ground. That is not a legacy I want to leave for future generations. Much development is happening on brownfield already, we think there is more that can be done without having to touch a single acre of protected green belt land.'
A Sheffield Labour spokesperson said: 'Sheffield is a growing city, and people here are crying out for good quality affordable homes. We are committed to building the homes Sheffield needs. The vast majority of new homes in Sheffield will be built on brownfield land and in the city centre. A consultation about the Local Plan is currently open until 5th May and we encourage all Sheffield residents to have their say.' The Green Party did not respond when contacted by the Daily Mail for comment.
