39 homes at Land south of Coniston Avenue, Darton, Barnsley

The site

The site was undeveloped farmland near existing housing, with open fields to the west and a fall in level across the land.

“The site is an irregular shape, circa 1.66 ha of undeveloped farm land, located to the north east of Darton. There is housing backing onto the site to the north east, off Coniston Avenue, the south east, off Sackup Lane, and to the south west off Pennine View. To the west is open fields which are washed over as Green Belt, an area of which has been included in the red line.”

“The site falls from Coniston Avenue down to Pennine View by circa 6m. As it has been farmed, there is limited vegetation or features with just a few trees around the site edges and linear hedgerows.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the allocated housing site, design, transport, drainage, ecology and neighbour impacts acceptable, subject to mitigation.

“The site is allocated in the Local Plan for housing under site specific policy HS6 with an indicative yield of 40 houses. Sites which are allocated for housing, and where there are no site-specific details in the policy, shall be determined in accordance with the Local Plan. Policy GD1 provides a starting point for assessing all development proposals and sets various criteria which development should comply with.”

“The Council’s Drainage Section and Yorkshire Water have both been consulted on the scheme and raised no objections. The Council’s Drainage Section have noted that the area is well served by sewers. Subject to suitable conditions to provide a more detailed drainage scheme the proposal is considered acceptable and in line with Local Plan Policy CC3. This weighs modestly in favour of the scheme…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Technical consultees raised no objections subject to conditions, while education and affordable housing contributions were addressed through the agreement.

“Highways DC – following receipt of additional information and amended plans no objections are raised subject to conditions…”

“Affordable housing – considering the viability study, no objections are raised to the 3 affordable houses proposed.”

Officer report

Concerns raised

Residents and ward councillors raised concerns about Green Belt land, traffic, drainage, density, wildlife, services, trees and effects on neighbours.

“Ward Councillors – have welcomed the reduction in numbers from the previous scheme but have raised concerns on: - Impact on the landscape and environment - Insufficient provision for the attenuation of surface water - Subsidence - Lack of affordable housing - Disruption to nearby residents - Proximity of houses to existing residents and overlooking issues - Removal of vegetation on site - Disruption to residents from drainage works - Need to prevent access to Pennine View…”

“- Use of green belt for attenuation scheme - Loss of walls and hedges due to lack of maintenance - Lack of green space on site - Development too dense - Increase in traffic causing highway safety issues - Inadequate local facilities to serve development – in particular local schools and GPs - Design of houses not visually attractive - Loss of outlook - Impact on wildlife - Increase in dog fouling - Pedestrian access too close to drive - Increase in flood risk - Drainage…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two representatives for the applicant spoke in favour, while another speaker spoke against the officer recommendation.

The committee decision

The committee granted permission in accordance with the officer recommendation, subject to conditions and signing the Section 106 agreement.

“RESOLVED that the application be granted in accordance with the Officer recommendation subject to signing of the Section 106 Agreement.”

Minutes