Five-storey uni lab approved despite tree concerns

A university's plans to construct a five-storey teaching laboratory building and "pocket park" have been approved despite opposition.

The proposal by the University of Sheffield to build two 300-person laboratories and spaces for teaching and studying in an 85ft (26m) tall building on Leavygreave Road were considered by councillors on Tuesday.

Objectors expressed concerns over the loss of trees on the site, the design of the building, sustainability, traffic, noise and air quality.

But at the meeting of Sheffield City Council's planning committee, one councillor's call for a decision to be deferred was rejected and planning permission for the development was granted.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, objectors were particularly concerned with the loss of trees on the proposed site, including a London plane tree.

The Sheffield Street Tree Partnership (SSTP) and Sheffield Tree Action Group (STAG) both called for the development to be redesigned so the trees could be retained, highlighting their importance for shading, air quality, and biodiversity.

According to a council report, the applicant was "liaising with the SSTP and has submitted further street tree compensation proposals".

"This essentially involves a commitment to plant eight replacement street trees on streets surrounding the proposal site," it added.

Councillors heard that a list of 22 potential sites for the replacement trees had been drawn up, with feasibility work having been commissioned to narrow that down.

Green Party councillor Marieanne Elliot told committee members they should listen to the SSTP's recommendation, adding that she thought it was "premature" to decide on the application.

Elliot also asked about the possible imposition of a tree preservation order (TPO), which would make it an offence to cut down, uproot, wilfully damage, or wilfully destroy a tree protected by that order without the council's consent.

However, planning officer Sarah Hull said the report explained no trees would be removed or damaged until details of a contract for the construction had been approved by the authority, therefore a TPO was not necessary, she said.

Elliot also formally proposed deferring a decision over the development, but that was rejected by the committee.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.