S35 Says "No": Hundreds March Against Sheffield’s Green Belt Grab

Verity Eyre
Jun 30
3 min read

On Saturday 28 June, hundreds of Sheffield residents joined together for a peaceful protest march against the planned developments on green belt in the S35 area of the city. More than 500 people from Chapeltown, Ecclesfield, and Grenoside took to the streets to stand up for their local Green Belt. Supporters joined together in a peaceful protest against Sheffield City Council’s plans for mass development in the area.

s35 green belt march — Green Belt protesters from Grenoside, Chapeltown, and Ecclesfield meet up at St Mary's Church, Ecclesfield

Locals Rally to Save S35 Green Belt

Two groups of protesters set off from two locations: Newton Hall in Chapeltown and Grenoside Park - coming together outside St Mary’s Church in Ecclesfield in a powerful show of community spirit. The event was supported by Rob Dowd, star of the Sheffield Steelers and Team GB ice hockey team.

The protest was organised by the Save Our Greenbelt campaign group in response to proposals that could see over 3,500 homes, two schools, two multi-faith burial grounds, and over 67 hectares of employment land built on green belt in Sheffield — much of it across the S35 and S13 postcodes.

Chapeltown residents on their section of the S35 green belt march

Campaigners are worried the plans will bring more traffic, increase pollution and flood risk, and destroy local wildlife habitats and green spaces that people rely on for fresh air, exercise, and mental well-being.

They also point out that many brownfield sites in Sheffield remain unused, and that over 15,000 homes already have planning permission but haven’t been built. They believe the Green Belt should be protected — not handed over to developers.

The Sheffield Star reported on the march quoting campaign organiser Jo Tunstall "We do not believe it is necessary to use the green belt to supply the housing and employment demand when we know that there are brownfield sites available....We want to highlight the serious issues this will cause our communities."

green belt protest s35 — Protesters march along Creswick Lane, next to one of the green belt areas marked for development

Which Green Belt Areas of Sheffield are at Risk?

S35 is not the only area of Sheffield impacted by the Sheffield Plan. Green belt in S13 is earmarked for over 1,700 homes, and green belt in S12, S10, and S17 is also impacted. As reported in The Star, Jo said "We welcome anybody who is objecting to green belt development around Sheffield to join us because this is about the wider picture".

Indeed, on talking to councillors at their drop-in sessions, it was made clear that if any of these green belt sites are rejected, the risk of development on alternative green belt sites in Sheffield increases.

Green belt campaigners gather at St Mary's Church Ecclesfield

How You Can Help Protect Sheffield’s Green Spaces

Time Is Running Out - Submit Your Objection by 11 July

We have gathered some useful links below so you can learn more and take action:

How to object to green belt developments in Sheffield – step-by-step guidance to make your voice heard - click here.
Get involved in local campaigns – join others in fighting to protect Sheffield’s green spaces - click here.
Attend drop-in events – both from the council and campaigners, where you can learn more and get help writing your objection - click here.