CAMPAIGNERS have hit out at the council who dropped their objections to a 215-home development in Carlton at the last minute - with frustrated locals claiming that ‘money talks’.
The plans to build the 215 houses north of Shaw Lane were knocked back by Barnsley Council’s planning board last year following a number of concerns from residents.
The site consists of a 7.57-hectare area of land that forms part of MU3 and the Carlton ‘masterplan framework’.
This parcel of the Carlton site is located to the north of Shaw Lane and is currently used as agricultural land with areas of marshland.
The surrounding area mainly consists of other fields and undeveloped land to the north and south that are also the subject of local plan allocation MU3.
However, after an appeal was submitted by the developers Network Space, the council subsequently removed their objections to the scheme.
A report states: “On August 2 the council confirmed in writing that on reviewing the updated evidence supplied for the appeal, they considered that the planning balance had materially altered and the reasons for refusal had now been overcome.
“The council therefore no longer objects to the granting of planning permission.
“This was subject to planning conditions and a Section 106 agreement.
“The council’s reasons for refusal related to the matters set out in my main issues below as well as in relation to historic heritage, drainage and ecology.”
A report adds that the number of children coming to the area would increase by almost 80 - and the local schools currently do not have enough capacity
Therefore developers would have to spend more than £1.2m on education to ensure that the plans are deemed acceptable.
“The secondary school for this area - Outwood Academy Carlton - will not have sufficient school places to accommodate this development and the primary phase is also under pressure.
“The pupil yield from this development will require an additional one and a half form entry in primary and an additional form at secondary.”
Dozens of letters of objection were submitted by local residents, who were left dismayed that the application had been approved despite their concerns.
A spokesperson for the ‘Stop MU2 and MU3’ group told the Chronicle: “We are disappointed with the planning inspector’s decision to approve the development, and dismayed at the council for dropping their objections to the plans at the last minute.
“Obviously money talks.
“We still disagree with the development, and the Carlton masterplan as a whole, and will continue our fight against it.
“We strongly believe 1,500 extra homes in Carlton will have a significant detrimental effect on the quality of life of our communities, and negative consequences for priority species living within Carlton Marsh and the surrounding areas.
“We do not think enough thought and consideration has been given for wildlife, but then again that is nothing new with this council.”
Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “We refused planning permission for an application relating to a proposal for 215 dwellings at land north of Shaw Lane in Carlton on September 27 2023 for a variety of reasons.
“However, the applicant appealed to the Secretary of State and an independent planning inspector, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, determined that the appeal should be allowed and granted planning permission.”
