'Protect green space at Sheffield Ski Village site'

More than 1,800 people have signed a petition asking Sheffield City Council to protect green space during redevelopment of the city's former ski village, a campaign group has said.

New Zealand-based Skyline Enterprises wants to build a downhill karting luge ride, family playground, zipline and surfing experience at Parkwood Springs, north of Sheffield city centre.

Members of Protect Parkwood Springs are concerned that green space used by local residents will be lost as a result of the works.

Councillor Alexi Dimond said there would be "opportunities for consultation and public representation before any decisions are made".

Redevelopment of the former dry ski slopes has been in the pipeline since 2016. The attraction closed in 2012 and the site has suffered from arson and vandalism since.

The council has already allocated £12m to improve nearby junctions and build a new road connecting Oakham Drive with Vale Road to accommodate increased traffic if the adventure park opens.

Geoff McDonald, CEO of Skyline Enterprises, said in a statement in July: "Our adventure and experience brand aligns perfectly with Sheffield's renowned 'Outdoor City' ethos.

"We know that Parkwood Springs has been a challenging site to bring forward over the years, but with strong support from Sheffield City Council and an experienced project team on board, the pieces are now in place to deliver something truly special for the city."

Emily Thatcher, co-chair of Protect Parkwood Springs, said that footpaths, trails and mountain bike tracks would be lost if development went ahead, denying people access to green space.

She said at a meeting with Sheffield City Council on Wednesday that the area "has place and historic significance where people can relax and interact with nature", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

She added: "This is about health, wellbeing, recreation and biodiversity – a win for the whole community, not simply making a profit."

Lois Conlan, also co-chair of Protect Parkwood Springs, said the development was "affecting some of the poorest communities in Sheffield".

She said: "People can't afford to do certain things, but they can go out and use the bike tracks for free, the green space for free.

"You are taking away something that is good for people's wellbeing."

A planning application is expected to be submitted over the winter, with public consultation open for around three weeks.

Cllr Dimond said at the meeting on Wednesday: "The council acknowledges these concerns and recognises that any proposal must be considered in the context of the council's response to the climate and nature emergencies, relevant planning policies and statutory environmental requirements.

"It is important to note that no planning application has yet been submitted and the final form of any development is not yet known.

"Should the application come forward as is expected, it will need to be supported by appropriate assessments covering matters such as ecology, biodiversity, landscape, sustainable transport, heritage and public access."

Sheffield Ski Village opened in 1988 and provided a training base for some of Britain's most successful Winter Olympians.

Since its closure, several groups have campaigned to see ski slopes return to the site in Neepsend, including Revive Sheffield Ski Village, who premiered a film at the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival in 2024.

In 2017, the council announced leisure company Extreme would redevelop the site into an outdoor centre, but the plan never materialised.

In 2022 the council began discussions with the current developer Skyline.

Any application would be properly assessed, including on biodiversity and heritage grounds, before any decision is made, the council meeting on Wednesday heard.

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