Almost 200 objections to “major residential development” in Barnsley

Barnsley Council’s planning board will meet on June 8 to discuss the scheme, which is at the outline stage.

If approved, applicants CC Projects plan to build up to 73 homes on 3.7 hectares of greenfield land off Darton Lane.

Planning documents state that the the applicant is the Church Commissioners for England – a registered charity, established to manage the Church ofEngland’s historic assets, and are responsible for providing financial support for the work of the Church of England.

The development would include affordable housing, public open space, a landscaped planting buffer around the site, and vehicle access from Darton Lane.

The application states that the development will provide affordable housing, create new jobs and minimise flood risk through a sustainable drainage system.

The application has been through two rounds of consultation with 188 letters of objection issued to the first round and 165 letters of objection to the second.

Councillor Steve Hunt has objected to the plan, as has Dan Jarvis in his capacity as Member of Parliament for Barnsley Central.

Dan Jarvis submitted a formal objection, outlining concerns around loss of greenspace, increased risk of flooding, traffic safety, the impact on infrastructure, and “the erosion of the boundary between Darton and Mapplewell”.

Other objections from member of the public include extra traffic on Darton Lane, air quality, noise pollution, loss of greenbelt and wildlife, oversubscribed services such as schools and GP surgeries, loss of value to existing properties, and “social housing impact on crime and antisocial behaviour”.

One objector said that they found the applicant’s suggestion that the development is “accessible by bike” “nothing but offensive”, because of the amount of traffic on Darton Road.

Another added: “Getting out of Darton Village at the Church Street / Huddersfield Rd junction is ridiculous”.

The outline application has been recommended for approval at the next planning board meeting at 2pm on June 8.