PLANS to build almost 50 new houses in Staincross have finally been rubber-stamped after an almost two-year wait whilst the developers - who were told by the council to put down their tools earlier this year after starting with no permission - will have to fork out more than £200,000 to the local community.

An application to erect a total of 45 properties on Paddock Road was originally submitted in September 2022 and the plans were given a provisional green light by the council’s planning board in September last year.

However, the application had not been formally approved and work on the site had begun to pick up the developers RMH Properties earlier this year.

Frustrated residents who had complained about the work were backed by the council who instructed the workers to put down their tools.

They agreed and work is now set to pick up after a section 106 agreement - monies set aside by developers for local amenities - was finally agreed earlier this month.

That agreement states that £160,000 will be given to the council to go towards educational needs, £73,236 towards an open space contribution and £32,250 for a sustainable travel contribution - a total of £265,486.

The report states: “Large housing developers usually have a standard set of house types that they put forward on their developments.

“In this case the applicant is a local small housing developer who has put forward a very bespoke mix of housing that includes 25 different house types.

“These house types range in size from one bed apartments through to a six-bed dwelling although the majority of properties either three or four bed units.

“The properties also range in height from single storey bungalows to two-and-a-half storey dwellings.

“Access into the site would be off Paddock Road utilising an access that was created for a small development of three properties,

“This access would lead through the development with properties accessed directly off it or from private drives leading off the main access.

“There are four areas of open space throughout the development site with various tree planting also proposed.”

A total of 46 letters of objection have been submitted to the council, particularly related to the impact on local amenities and the destruction of wildlife.

Concerns over highway safety and the traffic on Paddock Road, where it’s reported that cars are already speeding, are also mentioned in the report.

Coun Steve Hunt, who represents the area, had previously worked with locals who were against the plans due to a number of issues - including flooding and road safety concerns.

The site had also been earmarked as an area to extend Mapplewell Park - but these plans ultimately fell on deaf ears.

Coun Hunt told the Chronicle: “There have been time consuming negotiations to agree the section 106 agreement between the council and the developer.

“The agreement has been signed in the last week resulting in the planning application now showing as being approved.

“I, along with many residents, opposed this development due to concerns over flooding and extra traffic being drawn onto Paddock Road which I receive numerous safety concerns about.

“The land being developed would have made a great opportunity to extend Mapplewell Park and provide extra recreational space to accommodate the growing population arising from other new housing in the area.

“Nevertheless, I wish the developer and his employees well as they build these homes.

“A positive of this project is the creation of jobs in the local area.”