PLANS to build a total of 17 properties near Penistone Grammar School are set to be approved by the council - despite more than two dozen residents objecting to the application.
Applicant Mulgrave Developments are seeking full planning permission for a total of 17 properties to be built off Watermill Gardens.
A section 106 agreement has also been put forward, which will see the applicants pay almost £200,000 for the development.
Four of the properties must be classed as ‘affordable’, £31,712 has been set aside for green space, £112,000 for education, £17,000 for sustainable travel of £19,250 for biodiversity.
Following public consultation, two comments of support were received - stating that the development would bring ‘much-needed housing to the area’.
While Penistone Grammar School also asked for the development to include a footpath to the school.
A report states: “Their main concern is the amount of school children having to cross the road (Huddersfield Road).
“A pathway could provide pedestrian and cycle access to the school via Watermill Gardens.
“The roads around the school are currently unsafe as the footpaths are not wide enough to accommodate the number of pupils.
“Major housebuilding to the north of the school will exacerbate this issue as more students will walk south from the school before turning left onto Barnsley Road.
“MP Marie Tidball’s office has also raised similar requests regarding looking into having a footpath running through the site.”
Though the council say there are concerns around this plan.
A total of 28 further objections were received.
The concerns ranged from overpriced housing, impact on parking, congestion and loss of light.
Despite this, Barnsley Council’s planning board are set to give the plans the green light at a meeting on Tuesday.
The report added: “Whilst it is acknowledged that there would be some benefits to having a footpath route through the site from the school to Barnsley Road, the agent and highways officer have identified a
number of issues that are material planning considerations, such as impact upon residents,
parking issues, layout issues, land gradients and highway safety.
“The site is allocated for housing within the local plan and the allocation (HS70) does not stipulate that the inclusion of a footpath access to the school is required.
“Given the above issues it is felt that the proposed footpath, whilst it may be beneficial, the further issues caused by the introduction of the footpath within this scheme would outweigh these benefits.
“Having balanced all material planning considerations, whilst a number of objections have been received in respect to the proposal they have been suitably addressed.
“As a consequence, the positive aspects of the proposal outlined above are not outweighed by any other material planning considerations.
”The proposal is therefore, on balance, recommended for approval.”
