Residents of the Beeley Wood area in Sheffield experienced significant distress following a series of loud explosions on March 2, 2025, as chimneys were demolished. Witness accounts described the incident as akin to being hit by a bomb, leaving many neighbours startled and fearing for their safety.

Councillor Will Sapwell, representing Stannington ward, voiced his concerns over the apparent lack of communication surrounding the demolition. Speaking to the local press, he recounted, “Like many Sheffield residents, I was suddenly awoken by a massive bang. Having lived near the Buncefield Depot explosion, I panicked that it might have been a substantial gas explosion. Peering out my window, I then realized the chimneys at Beeley Wood had vanished.”

The demolition, reportedly part of an expansion plan for the Beeley Wood site, was not preceded by the notifications outlined in the demolition environmental management plan (DEMP). Councillor Sapwell remarked on the rapid transformation of public reaction from fear to anger, noting, “Almost instantly, concern morphed into anger. It’s evident that there has been a total breakdown in communication from the demolition company and the Beeley Wood site developers, with many residents receiving no prior warning of the event.”

Residents took to social media to express their alarm, with some believing there had been a bomb explosion. Concerns grew to the point that some were searching for signs of a “mushroom cloud” following the detonations. However, South Yorkshire Police confirmed that the explosions were a necessary part of the planned demolition and posed no immediate threat to public safety.

Despite holding a local council position, Councillor Sapwell reported feeling uninformed about the demolition plans. He stated, “As local councillors, we were also left in the dark, which is disappointing as we could have assisted in raising awareness about the planned demolition.” Taking into account the existing apprehension among residents regarding future expansion of aggregate recycling work at the site, he expressed his alignment with local concerns.

The DEMP, which is stipulated as a requirement prior to demolition works, allegedly mandated that nearby residents be informed through letters. Councillor Sapwell confirmed that this was not accomplished adequately, stating, “This evidently didn’t happen on a broad scale.”

In light of these issues, he has formally opposed the planning application for further development at the site, citing concerns about noise pollution and the credibility of the developers to adhere to regulations. “This begs the question, if the developers couldn’t follow environmental noise recommendations for the demolition, how can we trust them to enforce noise mitigations for the further site expansion?” he questioned.

Sheffield City Council acknowledged that while the demolition had received prior approval through the necessary legal frameworks, the contractors failed to comply with the agreed communications process. A council spokesperson clarified, “Whilst the contractor did not communicate with the council as agreed in the DEMP, it should not be assumed that the Contractor did not comply with the requirements of the above-mentioned legislation. We acknowledge the situation has caused distress and we deem it to be highly regrettable.”

Further updates on the situation may arise as the community continues to voice their concerns and as official investigations into the communication breakdown proceed.

Source: Noah Wire Services