Payout for properties overshadowed by new library

The library and community hub is being funded with money from the government's Town Deals programme

Sheffield Council is preparing to pay compensation to owners of properties sited next to a major new development, on the grounds the new building will block the natural light of some nearby premises.

Building work is starting on the long-overdue Stocksbridge 519 hub, first announced as a Levelling Up project during the 2019 general election and given the go-ahead by the council last year.

But the council have conceded 15 nearby properties may be "adversely affected" by the new library and community centre on Manchester Road, with officers stating a number of 'right to light' claims have been made against the council.

The council are negotiating with owners regarding "reasonable" compensation.

The new library building will form part of a wider £24.1m redevelopment project in the town

Right to light laws give property owners the power to take out an injunction to stop a development, even if it is midway through being built.

Consequently, the council has decided to utilise special powers "as a last resort" to block any potential injunctions, and have committed instead to paying limited compensation.

Council officer David Ambrose told a meeting: "We can use section 203 housing powers to prevent a very small risk of injunction from adjacent owners whose rights of light have been affected by the new development.

"This will limit the amount of compensation they can seek to claim to a reasonable level."

The council appointed specialist advisers to investigate the effect the development would have on neighbouring owners, who identified a number of parties impacted by the three-storey building.

The council was subsequently approached by other parties who believed they had a claim.

Stocksbridge 519, which will replace the town's existing library and community shop, also includes classrooms, a cafe and 10,000 sq ft (929 sq m) of office space.

It is being funded with money from the government's Town Deals programme

The council says the use of special housing powers - to block any potential injunction - is "proportionate and justified" given the regenerative nature of the development and its environmental, social and economic benefits.

"We're in negotiation with all 15 owners, via our specialist right to light surveyors," Mr Ambrose told the council meeting.

He stressed: "There is no financial risk to the council, as the development budget contains provision for these compensation payments already."

The addresses of the properties, and the amount of compensation, has not been disclosed, with the council stating it is at various stages of negotiation with the owners.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North