A CONTROVERSIAL £30million industrial development would create 300 jobs for the area, according to developers.

Gladman Developments believe the four units at Wentworth Industrial Park would attract new businesses and sustainable employment if the application approved by the planning committee on Tuesday.

Project manager Nick Gladman said he was certain the speculative build would attract large businesses to the area.

He said: "We always build speculatively as we know that this is the best way to attract new companies and new employers to an area.

"Our research shows that there is a lack of new and cost effective distribution accommodation in Barnsley which is preventing local firms expanding and new employers moving to the town."

But Independent councillor Steve Sylvester said the contentious warehouse at nearby Ashroyd Business Park proved this was not the case.

He said: "They said the one down here would bring all these jobs and 12 months on and it's still empty.

"The bigger the building the less companies want to use it Tankersley and Pilley are two of the nicest areas in the district and this would ruin them if this gets approved."

Similar proposals were refused last year by the council after they received more than 200 public objections.

Now the developers insist alterations to the size and design of the development have addressed these concerns.