400 homes plan approved for Penistone fields

Plans to build almost 400 homes across four fields in Penistone have been approved by councillors.
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The site, south of Halifax Road, was earmarked for housing the Barnsley Council’s local plan in 2019.

Applicants Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes say the development will be mostly made up of two storey houses, and will include 120 affordable properties, to be built over the next seven to eight years.

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During a meeting of Barnsley council’s planning committee on June 8, agent Paul Buckley said that the afforable homes will be made to “local people first.”

The site in PenistoneThe site in Penistone
The site in Penistone

David Cole of Barratt Homes added: “As someone who grew up in the North East of England, who is hugely passionate about delivering affordable homes, this is something I am extremely proud to be involved in.

“This allows people of all different backgrounds the chance of a decent home, regardless of their social status.”

Information released last year revealed the need for affordable housing in the west of the borough – only three affordable homes were built between January 2019 and October 2020.

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Developers will be required to pay more than £2 million to fund 79 primary and 56 secondary school places in the area, through S106 contributions.

The proposals state the development will include “a small number” of three storey houses in the centre, and 12 bungalows on the edge of the site.

A total of 128 objections were received – including concerns from Penistone Town Council and Hannah Kitching, the Liberal Democrat Councillor for Penistone West.

Resident Mark Fox spoke against the plans during the meeting, raising concerns around drainage, the proximity of homes to existing houses, noise level and traffic – especially speeding concerns on Halifax Road.

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He alleged at the meeting that external spacing standards had not been met, and added that in 2019 and 2020, sandbagging was necessary on Wellhouse Lane to prevent flooding.

“If the developers get the surface water drainage wrong, the council pick up the future costs,” Mr Fox added.

Councillor David Greenhough also spoke against the plans, telling the meeting that 400 homes “would generate more than 135 pupils going to Penistone Grammar [school] alone, not even counting the primary schools.”

“What a woeful, inadequate figure this is”, he added of the S106 contributions.”

The application was approved by counciilors.

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