Plans to build 3,500 new homes on unspoilt farmland has sparked fury among local residents - with farmers facing the prospect of losing their livelihoods.
Sheffield's 3,500-home farmland plan sparks fury among residents and farmers
Thousands of locals have rallied against plans to build on 14 rural sites near Sheffield, South Yorkshire, as part of Labour's target to build 13,000 homes by 2045.
But with farmland making up 70 per cent of the proposed sites, the plans go against Keir Starmer's pledge earlier this year to 'not plough through farmland'.
Locals claim their livelihoods would be destroyed under the proposals, including the Riddle Family who would be forced to give up their tenancy of nearly half a century to make space for 592 homes.
Farmer Andrew Riddle, who is 'Sheffield born and bred', discovered his home was under threat after it was included in plans for the 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 looking after the land in the village of Ecclesfield, South Yorkshire, for 45 years after signing a tenancy with Sheffield City Council in 1981.
Mrs Riddle, 66, told the Daily Mail the family are 'devastated' over their treatment from 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 the near entirety of their life savings, into rebuilding the farm over the belief it would stay in the family for years to come.
They hoped to pass the farm on to their children Kathryn, 38, who has diversified the land with a cattery and livery yard, and 31-year-old son Alistair, who helps with the farm's accounts.
Mrs Riddle said: '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 as '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 fulfil 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. It was backed by every Green Party representative, notably councillor Maroof Raoug was not mentioned, while harvesting support from 12 out of 15 Labour councillors.
As a result, the Riddle's have branded the Green Party 'total hypocrites', and added: '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 the Sheffield County Council until May 5, yet campaigners of the group Sheffield Green Belt Alliance say as it stands it will 'destroy' everything they 'love' about where they live.
Jo Tunstall, 55, who leads the campaign against building in the postcode S35, said the plans would 'destroy everything [she] loves about where [she] lives'. Seven of the proposed sites sit 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 her group have provided evidence to the contrary.
Sheffield County Council told the Mail 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 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', and added: '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.'
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.
