THE consortium behind what will become Barnsley’s largest-ever development said the decision to grant planning permission was a ‘major step forward’ for the borough’s economy.
Wednesday’s crunch meeting at Barnsley Town Hall, which lasted about three hours, went in favour of Strata Sterling Barnsley West, the group behind plans to develop the 122-hectare ‘MU1’ site which currently separates Higham, Gawber, Redbrook, Pogmoor and Barugh Green.
The vast site, which is viewable along the M1 corridor between junctions 37 at Dodworth and 38 at Haigh, will be developed imminently but could now be worked on until the whole scheme is completed by 2036.
Sir Bob Murray, who is leading the consortium, told the Chronicle: “I am delighted with the positive decision made by Barnsley Council’s planning board on Wednesday regarding the MU1 development.
“This is a significant milestone, not just for us, but for the wider Barnsley community.
“We have proudly operated in Barnsley for over 30 years, and we remain deeply committed to the town and its future.
“We have always believed in Barnsley’s potential, and this approval gives us the opportunity to deliver a transformational employment site that will generate 1,833 full-time jobs once fully occupied.
“This is about more than development - it’s about long-term investment, opportunity and confidence in Barnsley.
“It represents a major step forward in helping secure the borough’s economic future, and we’re proud to be at the heart of it.
“I’d like to thank the council, our partners and the local community for their support.
“We now look forward to getting on with the job and delivering a high-quality scheme that will benefit generations to come.”
However, members of Keep It Green, the campaign group which formed in 2014 when plans to develop the site were first mooted, blasted Barnsley Council’s handling of the process.
A spokesperson said: “We were bitterly disappointed, but not surprised, by the planning regulatory board’s decisions.
“The council has consistently ignored the well-founded concerns of local residents ever since the MU1 proposal first came to light more than ten years ago.”
The group’s attendees on Wednesday condemned planning board bosses’ handling of the meeting, which saw senior officers spend almost two hours speaking.
However, objectors were granted just ten minutes to put their views forward.
Mr Heathcote, who has lived in the area for 55 years, warned that the new properties would overlook bungalows and destroy residents’ privacy. He also raised concerns about increased traffic, pressure on medical services, and the loss of the area’s character.
It drew more than 100 objections with concerns about traffic, loss of green space, pressure on local services, and homes overlooking existing properties.
Councillors from Darton West and Dodworth raised similar issues, including the need for the link road to be built before housing, while many cited strain on the NHS, planning officers said current rules prevent developers from funding health services, and no formal objections were made by NHS bodies.
Resident Brian Heathcote, who has lived in the area for 55 years, warned that the new properties would overlook bungalows and destroy residents’ privacy.
He also raised concerns about increased traffic, pressure on medical services, and the loss of the area’s character.
“Part of the plans resemble the Berlin Wall,” he added.
“I would like to congratulate the council’s planning case officer for the marathon speech - approaching two hours - at the meeting on MU1.
“In comparison, the three objectors were allowed a strict ten minutes in total.
“I would have thought that the councillors on the board would have already familiarised themselves about the MU1 plans before the meeting - evidently I was wrong.
“The developers and the council are in severe danger of failing their duty of care to residents.”
You may also be interested in reading: https://www.barnsleychronicle.com/article/32360/mu1-approval-will-lead-to-five-villages-merging-into-one
