AMBITIOUS plans which could pave the way for up to 2,500 jobs to be created near junction 36 of the M1 have been revealed just weeks after Barnsley Council adopted a framework for the site’s future use.

The planning application is the first which relates to the Hoyland North masterplan and permission is being sought for up to 1.1 million square feet of employment use, new access roads and a roundabout.

The proposed application, according to an outline planning statement, includes land to the north and south of the Dearne Valley Parkway which separates the sites and were allocated in the council’s local plan which identified future business and housing schemes across the borough.

Although a framework for the site only recently received formal approval in December which effectively allows the council to control what is allowed, the bid submitted by Harworth Group relates to 37 hectares of employment land.

According to the plans, the land will yield 11 units, ranging from 2,000sq metres in size to 23,000sq metres.

“The proposed development represents the first phase of employment land to come forward as part of the Hoyland North masterplan,” a planning statement said. “It is expected that the proposals will generate 2,500 jobs.

“The sites are close to junction 36 of the M1 and the project is known as ‘Gateway 36’. They are part of a former colliery and are currently vacant.

“The proposals have evolved in tandem with the preparation of the Hoyland North masterplan framework and have been subject to a six-week consultation period, which began in August, including two public drop-in events at Kirk Balk Academy.

“Harworth Group met regularly with the council who have influenced the evolution of these proposals.”

The council revealed that a number of changes have been made as a result of residents’ input with link roads, schools and sustainable travel all high on people’s wish lists.

Following an assessment of the current provision and projections based on local plan growth, the proposed framework now states that intervention in primary school provision will be required by September 2023.

There’s capacity in secondary schools in the area into the foreseeable future, bosses believe, but they also revealed they’re continuing to work with Kirk Balk Academy to manage pupil numbers because Hoyland North could yield up to 700 homes in the future.

Barnsley currently has six air quality management zones (AQMAs) which are subject to more stringent checks on pollution but, according to the planning document, the nearest to the site is half a mile away to the west of the site’s boundary.

Mitigating factors are being proposed both early on and throughout the build, predominantly as a result of increased dust, but an assessment suggests the impacts will be ‘negligible’ and not require another AQMA to be adopted for Hoyland North.

Matt Gladstone, executive director for place for the council, said: “This masterplan framework is an important milestone for Barnsley as it is the first to be developed in connection to the borough’s local plan, which is the blueprint for future housing and development up to 2033.

“People’s feedback played a crucial part in redeveloping the framework and helped us to make sure it meets Hoyland’s current and future residents’ needs.

“We look forward to working together with residents and businesses to make this area of Barnsley a better place to live, work, invest and visit.

“The improvements will strengthen our economic growth, attract more businesses to the area and also help Barnsley businesses to grow.”

Comments can be made about the scheme on the council’s website until Thursday.