'We want to reclaim drug use hotspot as a pocket park'

A group of neighbours "blighted" by anti-social behaviour and threats of violence outside their homes have proposed creating a "pocket park" as a solution.

A small triangular site in the Norfolk Park area of Sheffield, just behind the city's railway station, has become a "free-for-all" for dangerous driving, drug use and dealing, locals have said.

The Friends of Skyeline Park have proposed the redevelopment of the "no-go zone" into a public park, with the closure of a small section of South Street, as a solution.

Sam Gregory, who lives in the Park Hill flats, said: "It's been a really serious problem for 10 years. Multiple women have reported receiving sexual threats, sexual harassment, and quite violent threats."

Mr Gregory, a member of the working group, said they hoped to build on the success of similar pocket parks - small, green spaces in urban areas - at Matilda Street and Nursery Street.

"It's about opening up the space for all sorts of people to enjoy who currently can't enjoy it - families, people doing exercise, walkers, cyclists, whatever," he said.

He said the space, which "must have one of the most iconic views in Yorkshire", was currently "massively underutilised".

"At the moment it's only the people who are sitting in those cars at night who have access to it," he added.

The first step towards the park is to block off a section of South Street, between the junctions with Norfolk Road and Shrewsbury Road.

Laura Moynahan, city councillor for Manor and Castle, said a police drone had been funded to monitor the area, CCTV had been installed, and extra police patrols organised.

But residents claimed that as soon as officers leave, the gatherings, which involve loud music and littering, resume.

"We've done lots of work that has finally led us to believe a road closure is justified," she said.

"You'll still be able to access the roads from the other side. But another problem is it's a straight road and cars are just zooming - doing a sort of drag racing."

Concrete planters would reduce the number of exit routes from the hotspot, which is at the top of a hill and provides a vantage point for the nuisance drivers, who are able to spot police approaching.

Friends of Skyeline Park – named after Skye Edge and the musical it inspired - believed an ideal timeline for the park would see "spades in the ground" within five years.

Moynahan added: "They have been patient, coming up with ideas, looking at planning the pocket park - they've been a joy to work with."

"There are a lot of people whose lives are currently blighted by this anti-social behaviour," Mr Gregory said.

"The main effect of the park, I hope, is just solving that problem and improving people's lives who live in the area."

The Friends are planning to register as a fundraising group, which could open the door to eligibility for Lottery or council funding grants.

Councillor Ben Miskell, chair of regeneration, said: "Too many residents, especially women, have told us that the area at the top of the Steel Steps has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour, leaving them feeling unsafe.

"Our streets should be safe, welcoming spaces for everyone."

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