COUNCILLORS have renewed their calls for Barnsley’s local plan development blueprint to be reviewed after another controversial planning application was approved.
The scheme will see 39 new houses built by developer Ben Bailey Homes on land south of Coniston Avenue, Darton.
The site had previously been mooted for 53 homes by Barratt but these plans were subsequently withdrawn to due a number of reasons.
Locals had raised their concerns regarding that development, with many feeling they had not been listened to by the council following its approval.
While the site is allocated for housing under the borough’s local plan, the decision has sparked frustration from Darton East’s Couns Steve Hunt and Dickie Denton.
The pair said they were ‘disappointed but not surprised’ that the revised application was given the green light.
Their concerns include the reduction in affordable housing, as well as the removal of mature trees and hedges, the loss of wildlife habitat, and the placement of drainage infrastructure beyond the development boundary.
They also cited the potential impact on neighbouring properties, risks of subsidence linked to historic open-cast mining, and the lack of infrastructure investment to support new housing.
A joint statement said: “We recognise the need for extra housing in Barnsley but the council needs to include communities in the planning of the required infrastructure to support this.
“The local plan is not working for our residents - they do not feel that they have a say in the housing growth happening around them.”
They are calling for the local plan to be reviewed ‘at the earliest opportunity, with greater community involvement and a more proactive approach to using monetary contributions from developers, known as Section 106 money.
“Barratt gained outline permission for the building of 53 houses on this site back in 2022,” they added.
“This was despite opposition from both of us and many residents - they subsequently withdrew their application.
“We welcomed the reduction in scale of this revised development of 39 homes but remained opposed to it due to several concerns.
“We recognise the need for extra housing in Barnsley but the council needs to include communities in the planning of the required infrastructure to support this.
“The council’s flawed local plan, which we opposed and called to be revised, does not include the road improvements, extra school places and GPs which residents need in this area.”
Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, confirmed there are no plans to revise the local plan ahead of its scheduled review in two years’ time.
“The 39 homes proposed as part of the scheme are on a site allocated for housing in our local plan,” he said.
“The material planning considerations relevant to the application, including matters of affordable housing, drainage and infrastructure, were assessed, balanced and clearly set out within the committee report.
“The application was fully discussed and debated by members of the planning board, who came to a resolution to recommend the approval of the scheme.
“There are no plans to revise the local plan ahead of a scheduled review in 2027, unless fundamental changes to planning policy are introduced nationally.”
