Town 'exhausted' by building fears more homes

A planned housing development on protected land in a Barnsley town has prompted concern among residents.

While no formal application has yet been submitted, developers Crest Nicholson have expressed intention to build an estate on land south of Pit Lane in Wombwell.

Those living nearby fear it would not only devalue their homes and spoil their vista, but negatively impact wildlife and the town's infrastructure.

A spokesperson for Crest Nicholson said the development would deliver "much-needed" family homes and that local improvements would be discussed as part of the planning process.

Residents in Windmill Road and Windmill Court, whose homes overlook the land, received leaflets about the proposal last week.

The site, which is currently used for farming and is located opposite ancient woodland, frequently attracts wildlife including bats, foxes, pheasants, deer, skylarks and yellowhammers.

The developer did not specify how many homes are proposed, but some suspect it could be up to 200.

Pam Robinson and her husband Neil said they are worried that the development could impact traffic and services.

"We already only have two GP surgeries in Wombwell, we worry there wouldn't be the infrastructure to support these extra houses," Mrs Robinson said.

"We believe that Wombwell has been pretty much exhausted by the amount of building that's taken place so far and so far no further infrastructure to support that."

Mr Robinson, who is retired, said when they moved to the area in 2003, the land was Green Belt, leading him to worry about maintaining green spaces for future generations.

"I'm not thinking about myself at all, because by the time they start [building], I will not be here," he says.

Mrs Robinson added: "We do want to move with the times, we are not stick-in-the-muds, but this is just not right."

The fear of losing green spaces because of changes to planning rules is a growing concern across the UK as the pressure to deliver housing targets intensifies.

The majority of the site is designated to be protected from development until 2033, according to Wombwell councillors Brenda Eastwood, Robert Frost and James Higginbottom.

In a joint statement, they say: "We have serious concerns about safeguarded sites being developed during the current Local Plan period as this would potentially undermine the Local Plan as a whole."

According to Barnsley Metropolitan Council's Local Plan, 21,546 new homes need to be built by 2033.

Helen Smith, who lives in Windmill Court, said she understands the necessity of housing projects but hoped any development would carefully consider the environment.

"Houses have to be built, I am not going to say 'not in my backyard'," the 58-year-old told the BBC.

"I am sad for the loss of nature but people have got to live somewhere."

Meanwhile, John Hoe, 68, has lived in Windmill Road for 29 years and said two attempts were previously made to build on the same land.

Like many others, his main concern was whether it would spoil his view but he said he has already thought of a "solution".

"[If they do], I'll just go upstairs and look out of my bedroom window."

Wombwell councillors have stressed no planning application has been submitted and if there was one at a later stage, it would prompt a consultation process.

A spokesperson for Crest Nicholson said: "The site south of Pit Lane, Wombwell, is currently going through the planning process, with proposals out for consultation.

"The development aims to deliver much-needed family homes to the area, alongside new public open space and sustainable pedestrian and cycle connections."

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said all areas, including Yorkshire, "must play their part" to tackle the "worst housing crisis in living memory".

They said plans to provide the housing needed would not come at the expense of the environment, adding: "Brownfield sites which people are desperate to see used will be developed first, and any Green Belt development will deliver the infrastructure and affordable housing which communities need."

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.