TWO local councillors have raised concerns regarding a proposed 39-home development in Darton - stating the community needs to be involved in the application.

Plans to build the properties south of Coniston Avenue were submitted to the council earlier this month.

The site had previously been mooted for 53 homes by Barratt but these plans were subsequently withdrawn to due a number of reasons.

Locals had raised their concerns regarding that development, with many feeling they had not been listened to by the council following its approval.

Couns Dickie Denton and Steve Hunt have raised some concerns regarding the new developments - and they’re hoping the community will be involved further this time.

They told the Chronicle: “Barratt gained outline permission for the building of 53 houses on this site back in 2022.

“This was despite opposition from both of us and many residents.

“Barratts subsequently withdrew their application.

“We welcome the reduction in scale of this revised development of 39 homes but remain opposed to it due to several concerns.

“The removal of mature trees and hedges and the loss of a valuable wildlife habitat.

“The location of surface water attenuation in the green belt outside of the area allocated for development in the Labour council’s Local Plan.

“The impact on some neighbouring properties who may be overlooked and the location of the pathway connecting Pennine View to the development.

“The risk of subsidence on land where open cast mining previously occurred and near where unsafe houses had to be demolished.

“We recognise the need for extra housing in Barnsley but the council needs to include communities in the planning of the required infrastructure to support this.

“The council’s flawed local plan, which we opposed and called to be revised, does not include the road improvements, extra school places and GPs which residents need in this area.”