CONCERNS over a potential housing site’s former mining past have been allayed by authorities ahead of a crunch meeting which will pave the way for the new development to commence.
A planning application, submitted by Hoober Homes, seeks permission to build 51 homes on land to the south of West Street, Worsbrough Bridge.
The site, originally known as the Dearne and Dove Steam Saw Mill, has a long history of industrial uses dating back to 1850.
Since that time the site has housed a coal mine, a canal and a barge-building company which turned into a timber merchant mostly supplying the local coal mines.
From 1969 until 2000 the site was in engineering use for specialised mining machinery for the National Coal Board, which ceased trading in 2000.
Up to 2009 it was occupied by a subsidiary of Taylor Maxwell - a brick merchant - but it has stood empty since outbuildings were demolished a decade ago.
Although issues relating to traffic, highways safety and pollution were raised during a public consultation process, the crux of the matters rested on the site’s past.
A report, which will be discussed by councillors on Tuesday, said: “The application site falls within a Coal Authority-defined ‘high risk area’, therefore within the application site and surrounding area there are coal mining features and hazards which need to be considered in relation to the determination of this planning application.
“The Coal Authority’s records indicate that the site is likely to have been subject to historic unrecorded underground coal mining at shallow depth and that a thick coal seam outcropped across the site, which may have been worked from the surface.
“Voids and disturbed ground associated with such workings can pose a risk of ground instability and may give rise to the emission of mine gases.
“Records also indicate the presence of one recorded mine shaft located within the planning boundary, but this has been located and treated.
“On the basis that the proposed built development layout takes cognisance of the shaft position, the Coal Authority and South Yorkshire Mining Advisory Service are satisfied that the risks posed by this coal mining hazard have been satisfactorily addressed.”
A Section 106 agreement - which sees a developer pay a financial contribution due to loss of amenity within the locality - is set to be approved.
The Chronicle can reveal a sum of £304,000 will go to nearby schools, £38,250 for sustainable travel improvements and £87,200 for green spaces.
The estate will consist of 14 two-bedroom properties, 29 three-beds and eight four-bed homes, ten per cent of which will be classed as affordable.
“In summary, the residential development is considered acceptable in principle due to the land being allocated for housing,” the report added.
“However, the metric assessment has quantified that a payment totalling £211,750 is required to mitigate the net loss.
“The development also delivers a ten per cent affordable housing provision on site and contributions towards primary and secondary school places, sustainable travel and off-site provision of informal recreation areas, formal recreation areas and equipped children’s play areas in full compliance with the amounts and formulas set out.”
