'Disappointment' as 230-homes plan moves forward

An outline planning application to build up to 230 new homes on safeguarded land has been approved despite widespread objections.

Developers Crest Nicholson say the scheme to the south of Pit Lane in Wombwell would deliver "much-needed" family homes and high-quality accommodation for a range of users.

However, residents have criticised the project, saying it would mean losing valued green space and negatively impact wildlife and infrastructure.

In a joint statement Wombwell councillors Brenda Eastwood, Robert Frost and James Higginbottom said they were "disappointed" with the decision made by Barnsley Council's planning regulatory board on Tuesday.

The application sought approval to create access from Pit Lane only, with further details including layout, appearance, landscaping and scale to be determined at a later stage.

Although the site is designated as safeguarded land in the council's Local Plan, the authority cannot currently demonstrate a five-year housing land supply.

As councils must meet housing needs over the plan period, this shortfall weighs planning decisions in favour of approving developments, even where proposals conflict with Local Plan policies.

Residents living in nearby Windmill Road and Windmill Court have told the BBC they feared the scheme would devalue their homes and negatively impact infrastructure.

Planning officers said any impact could be adequately addressed, concluding that the development would not result in "unacceptable harm".

The development will be subject to a Section 106 agreement requiring 10% affordable housing, public open space, nearly £1m towards education provision, more than £170,000 for sustainable travel improvements, and funding for long-term biodiversity monitoring.

Highways officers raised no objection to the scheme, subject to changes to the Pit Lane access, off-site junction improvements and a proposed reduction in the speed limit, which would require a separate legal process.

Officers concluded that while the proposed development conflicted with local policy on safeguarded land, the benefits of delivering new homes outweighed identified harm.

During consultation, 38 representations were received from members of the public, alongside formal objections from ward councillors.

In a joint statement, the councillors said: "It is important to note that this decision is to approve outline permission and site access only.

"That means that further planning permissions on the detail of the scheme must be approved before development can take place.

"We will continue to ensure that residents' voices are heard at every stage of the planning process."

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