4.1 Land ownership and status

It may, for example, be protected as statutory-designated Green Belt Land, a Site of Special Scientific Interest or as a Local Nature Reserve. Often the area is listed as a Local Nature Site, Area of Conservation Interest, Open Space Area or similar designation in the Unitary Development Plan

Special regulations may determine what can and cannot be done at the location. Again, you will be able to find out from your planning department that has copies of the UDP. Alternatively visit your local library to look at the UDP. If the area is listed as a housing area, business area, general industry area or other it will give you a clue as to whether there will be plans in the future to develop the land.

4.1.2) Who owns your green space?

One of your priorities will be to identify the owner(s) of your green space. Does an individual or a business consortium privately own it, or does it belong to a Sheffield City Council or a National government agency? You will also need to find out if you can gain access.

There are many ways you can find out. Your local councillor should be able to help. You will find their names, addresses, and telephone numbers in telephone directories or lists at local libraries, community centres, leisure complexes, and housing benefits offices.

The City Council planning department may also be able to provide information about land ownership. The Sheffield City Archives may also be able to help. You can contact them at:

If all else fails and you cannot find out locally who owns your site, you should contact:

4.1.3) How can the landowners help?

Once you have identified the landowners, you will need to find out if they are prepared to lease, sell, or donate it to you? It is very possible they may not wish to do so, but they could work with you or come to some management agreement. If the owners want to sell, can your group raise funds to buy the land? Can the Council or someone else purchase it?

These are questions that must be carefully considered and responsibly answered.

Be optimistic but not over ambitious!

Quite often business firms are prepared to let local conservation groups use their land for environmental projects. Look around.

You may be able to arrange something on your own patch. Don’t be afraid to make an informal approach by letter. Remember — nothing ventured, nothing gained. But be careful not to get out of your depth and find out you have taken on more than you can cope with.

4.1.4) Who else is interested?

Pooling knowledge and exchanging ideas results in steady progress. Member organisations such as the Sorby Natural History Society (see section 10 for address) will be delighted to help and give you advice as will Sheffield Wildlife Trust. You can find out how to get in touch with these organisations by asking at your local library or museum

If the land is council owned, you must get permission from the council and liase with the correct department over the management of the site. If you wish to carry out your project on a small strip of land near or in your housing estate, the first point of contact should be your Tenants Association, if you have one, as they should know of any immediate plans for the area. They will also be aware of present uses of the site and may suggest other possible project areas for a group to get involved. Next port of call should be your housing officer to discuss your plans. Alternatively, the Planning Transport and Highways Division or the Parks Woodlands and Countryside Division of the Leisure Services Department of the Council may be able to offer information and help concerning your project site. They are responsible for all the parks, open spaces and countryside managed by the former recreation Department of Sheffield City Council. Contact

0114 250 0500