BARNSLEY Council are in ‘advanced negotiations’ with a housing developer to sell the old Darton Primary School land - and if plans are approved 332 houses will be built on the entire site.

The land, on the corner of Sackup Lane and Station Road, is part of a much larger site allocating for housing under the council’s local plan.

This site stretches from the old primary school up to Bloomhouse Lane to the north and across to Woolley Colliery Road to the west.

Planning permission has yet to be submitted, but a total of 332 houses could be built on the entire site.

Coun Steve Hunt, who represents the area, said that an intrusive ground survey is currently taking place and vegetation will be cleared for heavy machinery.

He said: “No doubt many of you will be alarmed at the prospect of this development.

“Residents often tell me that we don’t have the infrastructure in place for more housing in the area, that many services such as doctors and schools are extremely stretched, and that the road network is already close to breaking point during peak times.

“A planning application is expected to be submitted later this year and we have been advised that the developers plan to hold a consultation event with residents in advance of this.

“I, along with your other Darton East councillors, will scrutinise the plans very closely and promise to listen to your concerns as things progress.

“I will be your principal point of contact on this matter.

“Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any queries or concerns regarding this.”