COUNCILLORS in Wombwell have expressed their concerns after a housing company shared plans to build on ‘safeguarded land’.
Earlier this month, a number of residents received leaflets regarding a proposed development for ‘much-needed’ homes off Pit Lane.
Crest Nicholson, a homebuilding company based in Surrey, were responsible for the leaflets and plans suggest that a large development could be built at the site.
However, it has sparked concern due to the land being marked in the Local Plan as ‘safeguarded land’, meaning it should not be built on until at least 2033.
The leaflet states: “The majority of the site falls within the defined settlement limits of Wombwell and is designated as safeguarded land in the adopted Local Plan.
“It is located in a highly sustainable location within close proximity to local transport links and amenities.
“Wombwell is identified as a Principal Town in the Local Plan, which along with the other Principal Towns and Urban Barnsley should be the main local focus or housing.
“The development would deliver much-needed family homes in a range of sizes and styles.
“Its framework is landscape-led and will provide structural planting and landscaping throughout the scheme as well as functional public open space and equipped play space.
“Cycle and pedestrian connections will be provided to the existing walking route to the west which leads to the train station.”
The site, which is currently used for farming and is located opposite woodland, frequently attracts wildlife.
The developer has not specified exactly how many homes are proposed to be built at the site.
But the leaflet added that the local infrastructure will be enhanced, should the plans be deemed acceptable by the council’s planning board once an application is formally submitted.
It has been confirmed by the company that no submission will be made to Barnsley Council until they have reviewed and considered any consultation comments submitted by residents.
Anyone wishing to share their views can do so by emailing consultation@johnsonmowat.co.uk.
In a joint statement, Couns Brenda Eastwood, Robert Frost and James Higginbottom expressed their concern regarding the proposed development.
They added: “No planning application has been submitted in relation to the land off Pit Lane.
“If a planning application is submitted at a later date, then residents, local councillors and other stakeholders will have the chance to take part in the consultation process.
“The land off Pit Lane is included as part of Barnsley’s Local Plan as ‘safeguarded land’.
“This is land that is designated to be protected from development until the end of the Local Plan period, which runs from 2019 until 2033.
“We have serious concerns about safeguarded sites being developed during the current Local Plan period as this would potentially undermine the Local Plan as a whole.”
