BARNSLEY Central MP Dan Jarvis has met with residents in Staincross fighting to preserve greenbelt earmarked for housing.
He met a number of concerned residents including Jayne Shaw, 55, of Bourne Walk, Staincross, who had contacted the MP about the site between Staincross Common and Wakefield Road earmarked in the local plan.
“I was very pleased that he offered to assist and accepted an invitation to visit my home where he met with myself and a group of other residents from Staincross,” she said.
“It’s absolutely beautiful greenbelt land and it needs to be protected. It’s awful to suggest it should go for housing, and we’ve all put our objections in.
“He was very understanding and took time to discuss the issues with us.”
She said they had discussed the importance of greenbelt and green spaces to the community, the positive impact they have on mental health and well-being, and the need to safeguard wildlife, including preserving endangered species.
She said the preservation of individual villages to avoid ‘urban sprawl’ was important, and they also discussed the Local Plan for Barnsley and whether the council has properly considered all brown field sites which could be used for housing rather than considering the greenbelt.
“I would like to thank Dan for spending time with us. He was also good enough to confirm that he supports the concerns we have.”
Mr Jarvis told the Chronicle: “I understand and share the concerns that some Staincross residents have expressed regarding the potential development of Staincross Common.
“It’s vital that our important natural habitat is protected for local people to enjoy, both now and in the future.”
