PLANNERS expect to make a decision on whether to allow a new development of around 100 houses on a green field site at Hoyland Common next month.

Local people have already raised concerns about the effect on traffic levels and the impact on schools should the plans for a field off Hawshaw Lane be given the go ahead, in what would be one of several major new residential developments in the area in the years ahead.

The land is currently classified as ‘safeguarded’ by Barnsley Council under a policy formulated in 2000, but developers believe they have a case for allowing it to be released for housing.

Barnsley Council is also updating its development policy this year, which is now almost certain to open up several other sites in the area for substantial house building.

Read more in this weeks Barnsley Chronicle