Unelected civil servants in planning departments and the planning inspectorate are undermining decisions made by democratically elected Councillors and Members of Parliament, who speak on behalf of their constituents. For democracy to work Parliament needs to ACT and support decisions made on behalf of the electorate.

Although planning permission to build on plot (F) Owlthorpe Grass Land Grazing Project, was originally refused by Councillors, it is very disappointing to see that Sheffield (LPA) have now reintroduced plot (F) with a proposal to build 150 new properties on the 22 acres of the Grassland Grazing Project. When first developed our oasis received government funding under Natural England Higher Level Stewardship Agreement. The most recent guidance, published 2nd February 2023 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/natural-england-unveils-new-green-infrastructure-framework "Natural England's commitment is that the public should be able to access green space or water, such as woodlands, wetlands, parks and rivers, within a 15-minute walk from their home."

As we say on our website, public opinion is a very strong tool. It is by working together that we can change hearts and minds and curb the over-development of vital green spaces, especially when mature and valuable trees are threatened with the axe. Numbers are important: politicians take notice when they feel a sufficient threat to their re-election.

Please help save Owlthorpe Heritage & Nature Trail by

signing our petition to Sheffield City Council: https://chng.it/6vXHqcGG4S

also, our petition to Parliamentary Ombudsman: https://chng.it/FPc7X4Nq

Thank you for your support

Michael Meredith