Plans to turn former Barnsley hostel into apartments for adults with learning disabilities

If plans are approved, Westfield House, Victoria Road, could be given a new lease of life with seven self-contained residential units, as well as off-street parking for 14 vehicles.

Built in 1876 for the manager of the Wakefield and Barnsley Union Bank, the two-storey building was later converted to a student hostel.

However, it has stood empty from 2006 and suffered vandalism and fire damage.

As well as the apartments, a new replacement building for the existing single-storey annexe would provide four new residential supported living units, each with a dedicated sensory garden area.

The annexe would be used as a space for independent but fully supported living for adults with specialist needs.

A statement to accompany the planning application says: "Effectively the aim is for residents to occupy homes independently but with on-site and 24 hour support by specialist providers to meet their particular needs.

"Residents will be people with a learning disability and/or mental health and complex support needs.

"The aim is that by living this way, becoming more independent and developing social skills, residents will be able to extend their ability to integrate socially and to pursue employment opportunities.

Following the approval of previous applications, work has started on the site, parts of which have been cleared.

An officer report to the planning board acknowledges neighbouring residents have raised concerns about traffic and states the highways department found the proposals ‘would not have a detrimental impact on highway safety’.

The report concludes: “The building has been in a poor state of repair and subject to vandalism for a number of years.

“The development of the site would result in the retention of an historic building within the conservation area. The proposal would not have a detrimental impact on residential amenity, visual amenity and highway safety and as such is considered acceptable."

The plans will be considered by Barnsley Council's planning regulatory board, at a virtual meeting on May 19.

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