THERE are no special circumstances to justify developing the controversial land at the former Woolley Colliery pit, according to Barnsley council.
Glenn Sharpe, the solicitor acting for the authority, told a public inquiry last week that the appellants had not shown any good reasons to build on the green belt land.
He said: “The test that the appellants have to meet is an onerous one.
“it is their responsibility to demonstrate that there are very special circumstances which justify the development and it is the council’s case that they have failed to demonstrate that the claimed benefits of their proposal clearly outweigh the presumption against development.”
The public inquiry at Darton High School was a result of developer Luke Devine’s appeal against a decision by Barnsley Council. The council refused planning permission 18 months ago for 100 houses and a mini-business park.
Mr Sharpe said the council’s principle reason for opposing the proposal was the fact that the appeal site is in the green belt and rebuked claims that the development would not affect its openness.
