MORE than 70 per cent of planning appeals in Barnsley have been rejected by inspectors since the start of the financial year, new council figures show.

Two out of three challenges decided in October - the latest available statistics - were rejected meaning external planning inspectors agreed with the council’s initial judgement.

They saw plans to use a private swimming pool at an address in Rotherham Road, Monk Bretton, used for private hire rejected along with proposals to put two dormer bungalows at a location in South Grove Drive, Hoyland.

However, the council’s decision to reject plans for a cafe with a ‘drive-through’ facility at the Peel Centre off Harborough Hill Road was overturned, meaning developers can now press ahead with that scheme.

So far this year 21 appeals have been decided, with 15 going in the council’s favour and six being allowed.

Those which have been allowed include the lifting of a planning condition relating to the change of use of a former working men’s club in Doncaster Road, Kendray, which is now a Seventh Day Adventist Church, and the change of use of a cafe in High Street, Hoyland, to become a take-away.

A retrospective application, made after the work had been done, for eight field shelters/stables on land at Edderthorpe Lane/Priest Croft Lane in Darfield was originally rejected by the council, with the appeal allowed, meaning they are deemed to be acceptable.

Provided by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.