CONCERNS have been raised by residents in Kingstone after fields allocated as ‘green belt’ in the council’s Local Plan began to be assessed by developers for potential housing.

The fields that border Caistor Avenue, Rockley Meadows and Keresforth Hill Road in the area are classed as ‘green belt’ and are therefore not identified development.

A new community group, the Friends of Kingstone Green Belt, have come together in response to the work taking place.

They say that extensive ground investigations are being carried out on behalf of national housebuilder Bellway Homes.

A spokesperson told the Chronicle: “The land in question has been designated green belt for many years and forms part of the open countryside that residents have valued for generations.

“It sits within an area that has long been protected to safeguard the character of the countryside, prevent urban sprawl, and maintain the setting of the wider Keresforth Hall estate.

“The site is also crossed by a well-used bridleway a public right of way that draws walkers and riders from well beyond the immediate Kingstone area and which connects to a wider network of paths through the countryside south of Barnsley.

“We understand that Bellway Homes have held a contractual interest in the land since December 2021 and are now in the late stages of pre-application technical work, including borehole drilling, trial pits and gas monitoring.

“While no planning application has yet been submitted, the scale of the investigations strongly suggests that one is being prepared.

“Friends of Kingstone Green Belt has been formed by local residents who intend to engage constructively and properly with the planning process when an application is submitted.

“We are not opposed to all development in principle, but we believe that any proposal to build on green belt land should be examined with great care against the very high bar that national planning policy sets for such development.”

The group are encouraging anyone who wants to get involved to do so and are concerned that the numerous applications currently ongoing in the area could have serious effects on local services.

They added: “Two further housing schemes are being advanced nearby on land at Smithy Wood Gate, Gilroyd, and on land off Keresforth Road, both of which were released from the green belt as part of the 2019 Local Plan.

“Together with the Keresforth Hill Road site, these proposals could result in around 400 new homes being built in a defined corridor, sharing the same road network, schools, GP services and emergency service provision.

“This corridor has already absorbed substantial green belt release through the proper Local Plan process.

“The Bellway site is the one piece of remaining protected green belt in the area.

“We believe the cumulative impact of these proposals on local infrastructure deserves serious consideration.”

Matt O’Neill, executive director for place, told the Chronicle: “We are not currently aware of any specific proposals for this site, and no planning applications have been submitted.

“Like many councils across the country, we are responding to significantly increased government housing targets aimed at delivering 1.5 million new homes.

“As a result, we are seeing more planning applications coming forward on sites not currently allocated for housing, including some within the green belt.

“However, each application is assessed on its own merits, and no decisions are made in advance.

“If an application is submitted, it will go through the council’s standard consultation and publicity process.

“Local residents will be notified and will have the opportunity to share their views before any decision is taken.”

The Chronicle contacted Bellway Homes but they declined to comment.