PLANS to build five new houses on what residents are calling ‘sacred land’ next to St Mary’s Church in Penistone have been approved by Barnsley Council - despite more than a dozen residents objecting to the application.

An application to build a total of five properties adjacent to the Talbot Road place of worship were originally submitted to the council by applicant John Clarke of the Diocese of Hallam.

Originally plans had been submitted to build six properties on the land, but the number subsequently lowered during the application period.

A report states: “The original description indicated that six dwellings was originally proposed however this has been reduced down to five units as shown on the submitted site plan.

“Talbot Road is predominantly residential, with a small police station at the eastern end junction with Bridge Street and Saint Mary’s Catholic Church mid-way on the northern side of the east-west section of the road west of Bridge Street.

“Existing houses on this stretch of the road are detached houses with off-street parking.”

Once the plans went to public consultation, residents quickly aired their concerns - with a total of 18 objections officially submitted to the local authority’s planning board.

Concerns ranged from impact on wildlife, highway safety issues, possible flooding and that the site encroaches onto the car park.

Another resident submitted a concern stating that the plans include a grotto dedicated to St Mary, which was blessed by the Bishop of Hallam, is on the site - and is therefore classed as ‘sacred land’.

No concerns were raised by council departments, while none of the three Penistone West councillors submitted their views during the consultation period.

Despite clear concern from residents, Barnsley Council’s planning board recently approved the application.

The report added: “Objections have been raised with regard to the loss of the ‘garden/memorial’ area for the church.

“In terms of Local Plan policy and the potential loss of the community facility, the garden area appears to be not part of the current curtilage of the church when viewed on aerial photographs and on inspection on site.

“The site is separated by a line of trees and does not appear to be well used.

“The church retains its existing grounds/parking areas and as such the loss of this area of land is not considered to be significant in order to warrant a refusal of planning permission.

“The proposal for residential development is therefore acceptable in principle, given the housing allocation and subject to the site specific policy.”

The council added that any highways concerns from residents will be addressed - and that the area is not a site they are concerned about.

“There are 16 dwellings already served by this adopted section of Talbot Road along with Penistone Police Station and St Mary’s Catholic Church, as such, Talbot Road is well used in terms of vehicular traffic, particularly by the church which is known to generate considerable vehicular movements on a weekly basis,” the report added.

“A review of personal injury accident data for the last five years shows that there have been no personal injury accidents recorded on Talbot Road or the B6462 Bridge Street within 100 metres of the priority junction.

“The site, being situated within the market town and civil parish of Penistone, is considered to be in a sustainable location with good access to local amenities and sustainable means of travel.”