Fact Matter: I have recently been requesting information under the freedom of information act 2000 from Rural Payments Agency, with regard to stewardship agreements and payments made to Sheffield City Council. Evidence shows that Sheffield City Council started taking government payments in 2013 but did not stop taking payments until after Site visit Wednesday 20th January 2021.

Facts Matter: At the site visit 20th January 2021 I explained to inspector O S Woodwards, Howard Baxter Sheffield (LPA) and representatives from Avant Homes that the Grazing project is part of The Owlthorpe Heritage & Nature Trail and is currently receiving Government funds under the Natural England Higher level funding arrangements. So, if they were to use this area for a contribution of £230,400.00 secured towards off-site biodiversity, they would be double funding this area?

Fact Matter: Residents of Owlthorpe have not been informed of the fact that Sheffield City Council had stopped taking payments from the government regarding plot F the grassland grazing project which is a major part of the Owlthorpe Heritage & Nature Trail. Residents thought that plot F was still being funded by the Government because it had been left out of the sale of Plots C, D and E.

Fact Matter: Apart from ignoring the wishes of Owlthorpe residents they also ignored all government policies regarding Climate change they also ignored Sheffield City Councils 10 Point Plan for climate action 1. We will put climate at the centre of our decision-making. This is the reason many Sheffield residents have lost patience with Sheffield City Council and are signing our petitions to Sheffield City Council: https://chng.it/6vXHqcGG4S  and the parliamentary Ombudsman: https://chng.it/FPc7X4Nq .

Thank you for your Support

Michael Meredith

https://www.ecological-owlthorpe.org/index.html