A LARGE-SCALE development at Thurnscoe has been approved by Barnsley Council’s planning board.

The 11-hectare site at Lingamore Leys will see 360 new homes being built the last of three phases aimed at developing the area.

But the scheme has not gone ahead without major concern within the community. Worries were such that a public meeting was held for residents to have their say.

Objections included loss of privacy, impact on schools, GPs and roads. People felt this was a large-scale plan in an already over-developed area.

At Tuesday’s planning committee meeting, head of planning Joe Jenkinson said the scheme was being recommended for approval.

“We have amended details a number of times, addressing concerns on parking, open space and the mix of properties,” he said.

The scheme, by Keepmoat, will be a mix of two, three and four-bedroom properties with five per cent affordable housing.

All the homes will have off-street parking and a large open space includes a multi-use games space and children’s play area.

Mr Jenkinson said a footbridge links the site to other residential areas and that a road bridge could be included in the development if funding becomes available.

The scheme has attracted £2.1m in section 106 money from the developer to compensate for loss of amenity.

Some of this money will be used to improve bus stops on Lingamore Leys and Merril Road.