ºù«Ӱҵ

Project details

• Project Manager: David Holland, Department of Estates and Facilities Management
• Email: david.holland@sheffield.ac.uk
• Telephone: +44 114 222 9030
• Client: Sport ºù«Ӱҵ
• Location: Norton Playing Fields, off Warminster Road (ºù«Ӱҵ S8)
• Timescale: Pitches opened to students, staff and public in 2018. One way system and parking works will run from 7 June -  6 August 2021.
• Contractor: Britcon

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ºù«Ӱҵ the one-way system and parking works

In October 2020 we were granted planning permission to develop a one way system and formal parking on the Norton Sports Park site; this will improve the flow of vehicle movements and should help to relieve nearby roads of car parking.

The headline changes are as follows:

• Our current access/egress points off Warminster Road will be made permanent, creating a one-way loop for vehicles using the site.
• As well as retaining our existing grasscrete car parking area, we will build an additional grasscrete car parking area, south of the new pitches.
• We will widen the road between these two parking areas and add a pavement.

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Frequently asked questions

Why couldn’t the plans on the previous planning submission be carried out?

The previous planning submission involved purchasing a piece of land at the rear of the site off Lees Hall Road. We spent a great deal of time trying to come to a resolution, but due to the complex and numerous stakeholders, it was not achievable.

To make the sports park viable, we need to create a permanent entrance, parking, and exit. Therefore we now have had an alternative arrangement approved.

What work do you hope to do?

The development we’re proposing consists of an additional grasscrete car park, and roads. Summarised as follows:

• The main entrance will be the existing service road off Warminster Road; the main exit will be via the pavilion car park. This will create a loop for vehicles using the site.
• Our existing grasscrete car parking area will be retained, east of the cricket pitch and pavilion area. An additional grasscrete car parking area will be built, south of the new hockey and 3G rugby pitches, where there is currently a temporary parking bay.
• We will widen the road between these two grasscrete parking areas to allow for two-way traffic, and add a pavement.

Why do you want to do this work?

Cars bought by users of the sports park previously parked on Warminster Road, causing difficulties on the highway and problems for local residents. This work is intended to make improvements to existing parking provision.

How long will this work take?

We estimate it will take 9 weeks. We plan to start work on 7 June 2021.

What’s the proposed parking arrangement?

We have proposed to retain the parking spaces which were installed to the east of the pavilion, off the road down to the new pitches. We would also like to add spaces, also grasscrete, south of the new hockey and rugby pitches.

This new proposal offers over 20 more parking spaces than the previous submission.

Guidance for parking on the site will be sent with all confirmed bookings via email - recipients will be encouraged to share it with all visitors to the site.

How will traffic be managed?

Our ‘loop’ system, guiding cars in and out of the site via separate routes, will be enforced using signage. Low level lighting in the grasscrete car parks will guide cars so they’re able to navigate safely at night.

The speed limit will be 5mph and there will be traffic calming measures on the road.

We propose that the entrance gate will be locked after the final booking has arrived - around 9:15pm.

Will there be more lighting on the site?

We propose to extend low-level bollard lighting on the road from the top to the bottom of the site, as well as on the road looping around the pavilion. This is for the safety of pedestrians and to help vehicles navigate the site.

The existing grasscrete car park, to the east of the pavilion, will have low-level guidelights added.

Will there be more signage on the site?

There will be signage clearly denoting the entrance and exit points, and guiding users around the site. 5mph signs will be used throughout to remind users of the speed limit. We also hope to add signage to our land, discouraging drivers from parking on neighbouring highways.

Tell me more about the pitches you’ve installed.

National competition standard hockey pitch: The hockey pitch will be developed to national competition standard, providing an excellent resource for our own students and the clubs who already use our existing hockey facilities, as well as creating a centre for regional and national competitions.

This development will enhance the standard of hockey facilities in the ºù«Ӱҵ City Region, offering a much-needed new resource and generating income to support Sport ºù«Ӱҵ activities for our own students, staff and community.

3G Rugby and/or football multi-sport pitch: This new pitch will make all-weather play possible at our Norton facility, significantly increasing the playing time available for students and members of the public.

The pitch will also have a spectator stand, creating an ideal atmosphere for competitive match play and tournaments. The pitch will provide much needed year-round facilities for rugby union, rugby league, American football, lacrosse and football, complementing the outstanding grass facilities already on site.

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Progress photos

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Contact us

For project enquiries, please contact the project manager. For general enquiries, contact the EFM Help Desk.

For more information about the new pitches and all the facilities available through Sport ºù«Ӱҵ, please contact Andy Cox, Director of Sport ºù«Ӱҵ, email a.c.cox@sheffield.ac.uk