Protecting Sheffield's Green Belt

Thanks to the dedication of Ethel and Gerald Haythornthwaite, Sheffield became home to England’s very first Green Belt. Back in 1937, they carefully surveyed the countryside around the city and put forward a bold plan to protect it. Just a year later, Sheffield City Council approved their vision. Farms, woodlands, and moorland in every direction – north, south, east and west – were marked out to form what we now know as the Sheffield Green Belt.

Their work laid the foundation for what we must continue today – to protect the Green Belt of Sheffield for future generations.

Why We Should Protect Sheffield’s Green Belt

The ‘Green Belt’ offers urban communities access to green space for recreation and to improve public health, bridging the gap between the natural environment and the built environment. It was designated to prevent urban sprawl and to stop the damage or loss of valuable green space. The CPRE Countryside Charity describes the Green Belt as ‘the countryside next door’. Accessing green space close to home provides a myriad of health, social and well-being benefits including enhancing mental health.

The opportunity to enjoy local green space which is accessible on foot is a key feature of Sheffield, branded as The Outdoor City. Sheffield’s mission has always been to protect green space. The SCC website states “Wherever you are in Sheffield, there's sure to be a park, playground, woodland or other green space nearby to enjoy”, and Sheffield’s unique and distinctive outdoor landscape was celebrated as a way to brand the ‘outdoor city’ to generate inward investment, tourism and to enhance quality of life for every resident.

Protect Sheffield's Biodiversity

Biodiversity is vital to life on Earth – it’s nature’s way of keeping everything in balance. It gives us clean air and water, helps grow our food through pollination, provides natural resources like wood, and even helps protect us from floods and climate change. Biodiversity also supports our health and happiness by giving us beautiful places to enjoy and explore. That’s why it’s so important to protect green belt Sheffield and the wildlife that depends on it. Preserving Sheffield's green belt is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also of environmental sustainability. The targeted green belt areas play a role in maintaining local biodiversity, regulating air quality, and mitigating the effects of climate change.

How You Can Help Protect Sheffield's Green Belt

Whether you are a resident of Sheffield, a member of the media, or a local government official, your support is crucial in safeguarding our green spaces. Together, we can stand up for the protection of Sheffield's landscape and ensure that it continues to thrive for generations to come. Join the movement today and be a part of the effort to preserve Sheffield's green belt for the future. There are many ways you can take action including contacting your local MP, signing petitions to protect the green belt, taking part in the consultation with Sheffield City Council, and joining local campaigns to protect Sheffield's green belt.

If you have a story, information, or photos related to Sheffield's beautiful green belt, you can contact us and we will feature it on this website wherever possible.