A CONTROVERSIAL £6 million development of the former Woolley Colliery site will not go ahead after contractors failed to gain approval through a public inquiry.

The plan to build 100 houses and four industrial units on the ten acre site was rejected by the council last March because the land is in the green belt.

There were also concerns that the roads, schools and public transport system would not cope with the extra people moving into the village.

An appeal against the decision by developers MED Contracting was dismissed by government inspector Mel Middleton on Monday.

Mr Middleton had to consider whether there were special circumstances in the area that would allow development of green belt land.

His report states: “The proposal would undoubtedly bring economic and community benefits to Woolley and the wider Darton area.

“However, I do not consider their comparative needs, when considered in the light of the benefits that should be achieved from the Wakefield development and in the context of the needs of other parts of Barnsley, to be compelling.”

MED boss Luke Devine said: “We’ve been at this for about ten years and we thought we were getting there, but obviously Her Majesty’s Inspector has decided otherwise.

“I don’t believe there’s one single person who’s taken any pleasure out of this defeat."