A LARGE employment site which is expected to bring in more than 3,000 jobs to the town is set to be approved by councillors at a meeting next week.
An application was submitted by Newlands Developments in 2023, who want to build four venues on a 211-acre site off Barnsley Road, Goldthorpe.
Identified as ‘ES10’ in the council’s local plan development blueprint, the application suggests the largest warehouse would also neighbour RSPB Old Moor.
It’s believed the units will range from 32,000sqm to 78,000sqm and in total the development is expected to deliver circa 197,000sqm of floorspace.
A flood compensation area and a flood conveyancing channel are proposed to the north of the site and along the western boundary, with attenuation basins through the centre of the site.
A report, which will be discussed by the planning board on Tuesday, states that thousands of jobs will be brought to the town through the development resulting in an economic output of around £210m per year.
And planning bosses say that despite concern from residents, the jobs are not ‘low-skilled’.
It said: “During the construction period, temporary jobs will be created across all construction disciplines.
“It is anticipated that circa 1,349 full time equivalent jobs will be created during the construction of the development.
“Whilst construction work is considered to be temporary, given the scale of the development and the estimated construction period, this will provide a moderate benefit to the local economy and employment within the area.
“However, the most significant benefit of the development is in relation to the substantial job creation associated with operational phase of the site.
“Subject to the development being occupied by B2 (manufacturing), B8 (storage and distribution) uses as a 30 and 70 per cent split, the development would create circa 3,282 full time equivalent jobs.
“This is expected to generate a total employment generation and economic output of approximately £210m per annum within Barnsley.”
A Section 106 agreement cash set aside by developers for local amenities has also been put forward which will see the firm put more than £2m into nearby investments.
Almost £1m of that will be used for off-site highways and sustainable travel works.
While more than £400,000 will be spent on air quality mitigation and improving local bus services.
A total of 14 representations were made to the council during the consultation phase, with concerns ranging from impact upon air quality, a harmful visual impact and its close proximity to RSPB Old Moor.
The report added: “Whilst it is recognised that a development of this size and scale will cause some environmental issues, in this instance the scheme has been designed to effectively mitigate against any possible significant harm.
“The application has been supported by an environmental statement which sufficiently addresses initial concerns in regard to potential air quality; traffic and ecology issues in particular.
“The contributions towards offsite highway works/bus services will improve the local infrastructure and provide enhanced connectivity for nearby residents, enabling improved access to employment opportunities.”
