Demolition plan for 463 houses

Doncaster Council’s cabinet has approved the controversial Pathfinder scheme at Denaby Main, which could involve the demolition of the homes in the village.

The council plans took into account a consultation questionnaire which put forward four possible outcomes for the village’s housing future. If one of the two most radical options is chosen, either 218 or 463 homes could be knocked down.

Council bosses say most of the people who responded to the consultation “supported the proposals that are planned for the Denaby Main estate”.

But out of thousands of residents only 73 people filled in the survey - and 23 of them were not in favour of the Pathfinder scheme.

Pathfinder projects are Government-funded regeneration schemes which were devised to combat poor housing. Nine areas in the UK have been chosen to benefit from the scheme.

Doncaster Council cabinet has now approved the Denaby masterplan, although the final details are still to be finalised.

Speaking at the cabinet meeting, Conisbrough and Denaby councillor Christine Mills said: “Our aim is to widen housing choice and bring new affordable housing to Denaby.”

But some locals said they had been left in the dark about the plans - and knew nothing about the consultation questionnaire.

Barbara Gibson, who lives on Grange Way, one of the streets set to be affected by the development, said: “What consultation? We’ve been to a couple of meetings ages ago about this and no-one asked us to fill in a questionnaire.”

She added: “We asked the council to send someone round to tell us what was going on, and about two weeks ago a lady turned up at our door. But she didn’t know any more than we do. She told my husband she was the lowest rung on the ladder and had no idea what was going to happen - what was the point of sending her round?”

Mrs Gibson, who owns her property with husband William, said: “it’s our own home but heaven help is if we wanted to sell it - who would buy a property knowing there’s a chance it could be demolished?

“We’d like to do some home improvements but with the future so uncertain we daren’t take the risk.

“We just wish someone would let us know where we stand.”

Over two thirds of housing in the village is council-owed - the Doncaster average is 20 per cent.

Peter Dale, Doncaster Council’s Director for Development, said: “Local residents within the area were invited to take part in the extensive consultation during the masterplan process and feedback has been considered.

“The majority of respondents to the consultation supported the proposals that are planned for the Denaby Main estate.”