A DECISION on plans from a housing developer who is locked in dispute with Barnsley Council about driveways has been deferred.
Developer Gleeson Homes was set to have its plans for a further 97 homes on its development at Lowfield Road, Bolton-upon-Dearne, approved at Tuesday’s meeting of the planning board. It is the third phase of its estate there.
But the decision was deferred to allow council officers chance to investigate after Coun Ken Richardson questioned whether they could make it a condition that the first two phases of the development had to be fully completed and up to specification before giving Gleeson permission for phase three.
It is the latest twist in a long running saga between the developer and the council.
Late last year, the developer pledged never to build in Barnsley again after the council put conditions in place prohibiting the use of gravel drives on sites at Lundwood, Wombwell, Goldthorpe and Bolton-upon-Dearne, saying the gravel gets onto the highways creating a potential hazard and encourages unsightly weeds to grow.
It was understood that these latest development plans were recommended for approval, with the condition that a better solution than the gravel driveways was found.
Gleeson proposed an option which would combine gravel and paving slabs, but this was still not found to be suitable by the council’s planning department.
A total of 215 letters of objection were received against the application, many of which came from members of the Friends of Lowfield Road Action Group (FLAG).
Carol Wilton, from FLAG, spoke against the plans and said the group feels the recommendation for approval has ‘made a mockery’ of the application process.
She raised concerns relating to the strain on the highways, access issues relating to the strain on Lowfield Road - which contains a humpback bridge - and problems with the smell from the nearby Yorkshire Water waste treatment facility.
She said: “Before the council grant it they should impose sanctions where they are certain the work will be completed to comply with the recent application.”
The council’s Matthew Snowden said the same application had been rejected in 2015 due to issues with the odour, driveways and affordable housing designation.
In this application, landscaping has been included to mitigate the odour and £250,000 has been set aside towards an affordable housing contribution.
“Network Rail is not able to provide works to the bridge on Lowfield Road so £210,000 will enable signal works on the bridge to mitigate the effects of phases two and three on the road. But Highways still maintain an objection with the driveways.”
The decision will be made at a future meeting of the planning board.
