LAND at Hoyle Mill and Stairfoot will still be considered for gypsy and traveller sites after the council refused to withdraw them from the list.

Residents and some councillors thought they had heard the last of the plans when a group within the council recommended to the ruling cabinet that Sandygate Lane and part of the old Barnsley Main site at Hoyle Mill were not considered.

But the cabinet refused and both sites have appeared on council papers again as possible sites for gypsies and travellers, which the council is required to provide by law.

There is no indication how many or where the other potential sites are but leader Coun Steve Houghton told the Chronicle Hoyle Mill and Stairfoot may still be ruled out.

Councillors were also told a grant of more than £560,000 has been awarded to improve the 28-pitch site at Smithies.

Housing officer Rob Hignett said it would bring it up to modern standards as a site 'we as an authority can be proud of'. He said it may include a 'modest' extension of one or two extra pitches.

Coun Dick Wraith asked: "What's the breakdown? What's the biggest expenditure there? Because it looks like a lot of money that, half-a-million for two extra places."

Mr Higett said the full details were not yet available, but hoped it would include a full refurbishment and may involve demolition and rebuilding of the facilities block.