Fears for the dead and food stores amid plans to build 3,500 homes on farmland
Campaigners from Sheffield's green belt protection group criticised council plans to build more than 3,500 homes on farmland, warning of threats to food security and burial capacity. Three activists addressed a Sheffield Council policy committee meeting this week, objecting to the authority's draft Local Plan, which earmarks 14 sites across roughly 800 acres of green belt land, mostly in the south-east and north of the city, for development running to 2039.
Campaigner Gillian Travis said over half of the proposed 230 hectares of green belt release is classed as "best and most versatile" farmland, representing around 10% of Sheffield's entire high-quality agricultural land. A separate submission raised concerns over a shortage of burial space, urging the council to buy a plot next to Wisewood Cemetery due for auction on 21 September at a guide price of £80,000. Michael Parkin argued the housing shortfall reflects poor delivery rather than a lack of land, noting Sheffield built only 5,313 of 9,092 required homes over three years. Due to the pre-election period ahead of a Walkley by-election, councillors did not respond to the statements.
In short
- Campaigners oppose Sheffield's plan for 3,500+ homes on green belt land
- Concerns raised over loss of top farmland and burial space shortages
- Critics say Sheffield's housebuilding delivery, not land supply, is the real issue
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Releasing some green belt land could help Sheffield meet housing needs and provide more homes over the Local Plan period, especially if the existing supply has not delivered enough. Supporters could argue that carefully chosen sites, with protections and infrastructure planned alongside development, can balance growth with the city’s other priorities.
The case against
The proposed release risks sacrificing valuable farmland that supports local food production and is difficult to replace, while also raising concerns about whether the city has enough burial space. Opponents can argue that Sheffield’s recent housing shortfall reflects weak delivery rather than a shortage of land, so the council should address that problem before using green belt sites.
Explained simply
A local plan sets out where a council expects development to happen over many years. Sheffield’s draft plan identifies sites for housing up to 2039, including land currently within the green belt, which is protected from most development.
The council must balance the need for new homes with other uses of land. Some of the farmland identified is classed as especially productive, while campaigners have also raised concerns about whether the city will have enough space for burials.
The debate also concerns how many homes Sheffield can realistically deliver and whether building on green belt land is needed to meet housing targets. The council’s plan is still a draft, and the concerns were raised at a policy committee meeting.
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