Six new homes approved despite 'carnage' warnings

Six new homes at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac have been approved on the site of a former allotment in Rotherham.

The development in Clement Street, Kimberworth, was rubber-stamped by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council during a meeting on Thursday.

It comes amid eight objections from residents who warned it would cause "complete carnage" on the street.

Councillors countered that any development would involve "some degree of upheaval" which had to be balanced against housing needs.

Residents raised concerns about noise pollution and exacerbating existing traffic and accessibility issues on what was described as a narrow street, the Local Democracy Service reports.

One of the objectors, Andrew Sanders, wrote in a letter that bin lorries already struggled to drive down the street due to parked vehicles and warned further issues would cause "complete carnage".

He asked: “How long are we going to have to suffer the inconvenience of this work, not to mention the noise?

“Why should we be inconvenienced? We did not ask for this and really shouldn’t have to put up with it. Are emergency services going to get down the street if needed?”

Claire Sanders, who objected at the meeting, voiced similar concerns, saying that the development would have a "terrible impact" on residents on a daily basis.

Fellow resident Tracy Hutton feared properties would decrease in value, adding: “We just don’t want it. It’s a big upheaval for all our lives."

Ms Hutton mentioned residents had experienced rat infestations after trees were removed from the site, and they were concerned that the scheme could lead to even more pests.

However, the council’s planning officer Andrew West argued that any development would involve "some degree of upheaval".

“That’s got to be balanced against the need for housing within the borough,” he added.

The council's transport manager Simon Gammons told the meeting that the new development "could not be expected to facilitate existing problems" and stated refusal could not be justified.

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