230-home development set to be approved

A plan to build 230 homes on safeguarded land looks set to be approved despite local opposition.

Developer Crest Nicholson wants to build on 18.2 acres (7.4 hectares) of farmland south of Pit Lane in Wombwell but objectors have raised concerns over increased traffic, flood risk and the impact on wildlife and infrastructure.

The authority said although the land was a protected site, it could not currently show it had enough land approved for housing, which meant national planning rules favoured granting permission.

Barnsley Council officers have recommended approval of the scheme at a council meeting on 24 February.

During consultation, 38 objections to the scheme were submitted from members of the public, along with formal objections from ward councillors.

Concerns raised also included the loss of safeguarded land, highway and pedestrian safety, and the effect on neighbouring residents.

However, planning officers said the development would not result in unacceptable harm in these areas, provided a range of conditions and legal obligations were secured.

If approved the developer would have to provide 10% affordable housing, public open space, almost £1m towards education provision and more than £170,000 for sustainable travel improvements.

The application is for access only at this stage, meaning the layout, appearance, landscaping and scale of the homes would be decided later.

Council officers said while the proposal conflicted with local policy on safeguarded land, the authority's housing land supply position meant "significant weight had to be given to the delivery of new homes".

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said officials considered the concerns raised did not "significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits" and that the scheme represented a "sustainable" form of development.

The application is due to be considered by Barnsley Council's Planning Regulatory Board, with officers recommending outline planning permission be granted, subject to conditions and the completion of a legal agreement.

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