A GREEN space which was earmarked to extend a popular park is set to be used for a housing development instead - sparking fury from residents and councillors.
RMH Properties, the developer behind the scheme to build 46 houses, submitted its bid to Barnsley Council.
Coun Steve Hunt, who is opposing the plan, told the Chronicle the land was allocated for an extension to Mapplewell Park.
“I have lots of concerns regarding these plans and so do many residents - I appreciate that this land was allocated for housing in the 2019 local plan, but there are numerous issues with building here,” he said.
“The proposed highways access is from Paddock Road - a quiet residential street which is already prone to issues with ‘rat-running’.
“Residents of Paddock Road have been calling for traffic calming measures for years and in 2021 a petition on this was signed by 239 people.
“The extension of Mapplewell Park and aiming for Green Flag status was a great idea - frankly the low number of Green Flag parks in the Barnsley borough is shameful, and the council should be working to improve this, not limiting this possibility by building on our precious green spaces.”
