PLANS to build almost 500 homes in Darfield have been submitted to Barnsley Council - and a 40mph speed limit on Doncaster Road could be implemented to ease residents’ safety concerns.
A public consultation event was held in June after plans to build a total of 460 homes - 260 of which will be built on one plot and a further 200 on a second - broke cover.
The properties would be built south of Doncaster Road - an area of field which is currently used by dog walkers and residents alike.
The first phase of the plan for 260 homes will be overseen by Keepmoat and Saul Homes who are seeking full planning permission.
This would include areas of open space and will also include the area to the south of phase two - with an outline planning application set to be pushed forward - for a drainage basin.
The report added that the consultation event in June was well-attended - and a number of concerns were raised by local residents.
These concerns included a lack of affordable homes, increased traffic and parking, a lack of ‘joint up thinking’ in terms of infrastructure and a potential increase in pressure on educational and medical services.
“In respect of a lack of facilities within Darfield, the site has been allocated within the Local Plan without the addition of further shopping facilities,” the report said.
“The site is in a very sustainable location due to its proximity to local fare stages and rail station which provides connections to Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield, Leeds, and Wakefield that have a multitude of amenities, facilities and other transport opportunities.
“Significant concern was raised through the consultation event in respect of Doncaster Road where it was advised that the speed is too high and accidents are experienced.
“A highway consultant has been employed to review the existing highway network and the junction capacity assessment. “
These improvements include a ‘ghost island arrangement’ with a right turn lane, traffic calming measures such as red surfacing and ‘SLOW’ markings and a new footway along Barnsley Road and Doncaster Road.
A potential 40mph speed limit on Doncaster Road is also being mooted.
“Further comments were raised in respect of doing more for safety,” the report added.
“This included discussions on the speed limit which has already been reduced from National to 50mph.
“The potential 40mph speed limit reduction on Doncaster Road has been discussed previously with Barnsley Council in respect to the site access, and from previous meetings would not generally be supported due to potential speed limit enforcement issues.
“The applicant team had a Road Safety Audit carried out recommended a reduction to a 40mph speed limit.
“Given local concern, the applicant is happy to continue discussions with Barnsley Council highways officers to advise that they are happy to introduce a reduced speed limit and gateway feature on Doncaster Road access scheme.
“This however would need to be considered appropriate by the council.”
Coun Kevin Osborne, who represents the Darfield ward, is encouraging locals to submit their views to Barnsley Council’s planning before the deadline.
He said: “Our intention is to hold meetings with residents at Darfield Community Centre to support and advise on making submissions to the planning application.
“These will be appointment-based and details will be released shortly.
“We will also be directly contacting residents who live adjacent to the proposed development to both inform and assist in making comments to the application where required.
“As Coun Trevor Smith serves on Barnsley Council’s planning regulatory board he is unable to assist in this process.
“Coun Markham and I are determined that the views and opinions of residents are heard.
“We will do our very best to maximise the opportunities for folk to comment on the application.”
