Online campaign to halt Royston 1,000 homes development plans

The 'Royston against the further development at Lee Lane' Facebook page was set up by resident Sarah Lambert, who wanted to make her neighbours aware of the masterplan.

The group has amassed more than 200 members in the week since it was set up and aims to be a hub for sharing information and views.

Proposals to build almost 1,000 homes and a new primary school are at public consultation stage, although Sarah says she is worried it has not been widely publicised due to lockdown.

She said: “With people shielding, unless they are online they might now know about the plans.

“It is a consultation where people can’t get involved. This land is full of wildlife and is the lungs of our planet.”

Sarah, a safeguarding trainer and mental health first aider, says having access to green spaces, such as the area proposed, helps people with their mental health, and is worried this has not been taken into consideration.

She said: “I don't think Barnsley Council has stopped to consider the mental health impact of having these green spaces around us. The nation's mental health has never been so fragile.

“The plans would strip out so much, I was aghast at the size of the development - it's like putting another Royston next door. I have lived here 14 years, and it is paradise.

“My intention for the Facebook page is to just share links to the plans and gather views. I don't want any trouble or angst, just people having their say.

“When I started the page, lots of residents were asking what the plans were about, and many in the community were horrified.

“I'm not against building new houses, it's just the amount on these plans. During lockdown I have seen so many people walking about on this land and it’s been lovely to see people get out into nature.

“I think the council needs to think carefully about these plans. They are paving paradise.

“It’s not a done deal until I see that first spade going into the ground - keeping the land means a lot to us all. I do believe the council will listen to what we have to say, and I want to make my points in the right way.”

The Royston masterplan framework has earmarked a site off Lee Lane, which will include homes, a school and a shop.

Work has already started on building 166 houses at the site.

The council, however, says it has made an effort to widely publicise the plans due to the effects of lockdown, and is encouraging residents to have their say through public consultations.

A local authority spokeswoman said a letter was sent to households and businesses within a 250-metre radius of the site to inform them about consultations.

Additional publicity included site notices posted around the Royston masterplan framework boundary, a public notice in local media, a press release on the council's website, and through social media channels.

She said the consultation period for the masterplan has also been extended from four weeks to six, so everybody will be able to access the information easily online.

The council says that this six-week period will allow enough time to distribute hard copies of the plans and allow members of the public time to review them.

Matt Gladstone, council executive director for place, said: “The consultation on a masterplan framework follows numerous public consultations over the past eight years regarding the development of land either side of Lee Lane.

“The land was eventually allocated in our local plan following extensive scrutiny by an independent planning inspector appointed by the government at a public examination which included several hearing sessions.

“This masterplan framework is intended to prevent what we have already seen, where one of the landowners on the south side of Lee Lane entered into a deal with Bellway Homes which submitted a planning application without, in our opinion, properly considering the impacts of the wider site.

“This application is now the subject of a planning appeal following refusal by the council.

“The appeal was to be considered by the Planning Inspectorate at a public inquiry which was due to be held in March.

"However, in the light of government guidance due to Covid-19, the Planning inspectorate decided, after consultation with the appellant and the council, that the appeal would be determined through written representations.

“The appeal decision from the planning inspectorate is yet to be received.

“The planning application was refused by the council partly on the basis that there was no masterplan framework adopted for the wider site and in order to make sure that the impacts of the whole site and infrastructure requirements are properly considered.

“The masterplan framework is therefore an important document to make sure we get the best outcome possible for existing and future residents.”

Sarah said she was planning to stand on the steps of Barnsley Town Hall dressed as a tree on July 15, the date the consultation closes, in a peaceful protest against the plans.

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