PLANS to build a six-bedroom ‘Grand Designs-style’ house which has resulted in multiple objections being lodged will be decided after a councillors’ site visit.
Applicant Steven Warsop submitted his bid to build the house on High Hoyland Lane, High Hoyland, earlier this year.
However, given the site’s position within the green belt, a total of 18 letters of objection have been received by Barnsley Council through two consultations.
The plans, which were discussed at Tuesday’s planning board meeting, show that the new house, which will feature a raft of eco-friendly measures such as rainwater harvesting and a heat recovery system, will be cut into a rock face on the site and set over three storeys, but objections have been raised about parking, its size and because it’s in the green belt.
Andrew Burton, senior planning officer at the council, said the scheme had been earmarked for approval - but councillors opted against that decision in favour for a site visit to be carried out before making a decision.
“The outstanding and innovative design alongside the high levels of sustainability which the proposed house can be said to achieve is afforded considerable weight,” he said.
“It has taken into account the land form and history of the site and its surrounds, being cut into the rock face and utilising local stone it blends with.
“In conclusion, the proposal is inappropriate development in the green belt which is by definition harmful and substantial weight is given to this harm in the planning balance.
“Nevertheless it is accepted that very special circumstances have been demonstrated by virtue of the outstanding design and high levels of sustainability achieved, alongside the uniqueness of the development site. The recommendation is therefore one of approval.”
However, councillors voted in favour of carrying out a site visit before coming to a decision, citing its position in the green belt and its large size.
Objectors told councillors that it represented a ‘destruction of the green belt’ and that it would be ‘inappropriate’ to grant permission.
