Plans to revamp villages amid 'ongoing challenges'

New housing, more education opportunities and better transport links are planned for one of Barnsley's most disadvantaged areas.

Barnsley Council is putting together a draft masterplan looking at the long term regeneration of the Dearne Valley, and in particular Goldthorpe, up to 2040.

According to a report, the council, NHS and other services invest a "disproportionate amount of time and resource" in the area because of problems caused by poor quality housing, health and lack of access to opportunity.

The Dearne has already received £23.1m of government funding to revitalise Goldthorpe, Thurnscoe and Bolton upon Dearne.

The council report says: "Goldthorpe and the Dearne have been long-term priority regeneration areas for the council.

"The towns are strategically located, and significant work has already started to deliver new housing, employment and cultural opportunities including the Goldthorpe housing project, ES10 employment site and the new Horse and Groom Square in the centre of Goldthorpe, but to date there have been no overarching masterplanor framework documents which recognise the spatial connectivity opportunities of the area."

The council says the Dearne faces "ongoing challenges" in a number of areas, including a high proportion of poor quality and low value housing, particularly in the centre of Goldthorpe, and high vacancy rates impact on the high street.

Meanwhile, a lack of local post-16 education options and limited employment are made worse by poor connectivity both within Goldthorpe and to the wider area, the report adds.

The masterplan will look at making Goldthorpe a "sustainable and thriving town" with more diverse and higher quality housing.

The high street would be enhanced with green areas, empty units would be developed and there would be better connections to "cultural assets" such as the Dearne Playhouse.

Former railway embankments could be turned into active travel routes for work and leisure.

Another hope is to expand post-16 education and skills and create better access to opportunities elsewhere in the borough.

The council's Cabinet will discuss the report at a meeting on 18 February with the aim of starting public consultation in spring.

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