Controversial scheme for 211 homes for Doncaster village is given green light

A controversial plan to build 211 homes on farmland in a Doncaster village has been granted by councillors.

In 2016, Linden Homes had a scheme accepted to build scores of properties on open land in Hatfield '“ but the firm has requested to amend one of their build conditions.

The first phase of the proposed development off between Doncaster Road and Lings Lane received a raft of objections from residents and Hatfield Parish Council.

The second phase would see an extra 200 properties.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Residents said the loss of green agricultural land and the impact of trees and the environment was a concern while others made issue of the increasing traffic on Doncaster Road and the risk of flooding.

At a meeting on Tuesday, resident Katrina O'Hallaran said in a statement that even if the homes were '˜covered in gold and were diamond plated', the plan is still not acceptable.

She said she made enquiries with a nearby primary and GP surgery who told her there were no spaces for prospective pupils or new patients.

Linden Homes said they would provide some £500,000 to create new primary school.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hatfield Parish Council's representation said the area at present was already '˜overstretched' even without the extra homes proposed.

They added the development was situated on the Greenbelt and would put a '˜strain on roads, sewage systems, school places and capacity at GP surgeries'.

Coun Jonathan Wood said he '˜took issue' with the developer negotiating to provide just 10 per cent of affordable homes when council policy is 26 per cent.

The new wording on the build conditions state no development will take place until a plan is drawn up to deal with the disposal of foul and surface water drainage.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It adds any part of the development '˜shall not commence' until the '˜approved drainage works have been fully constructed' in line with the approved plans and there ;'shall be no temporary storage of foul sewage'.

This is so the area can be properly drained and to protect the public water supply.

A change in wording to the build conditions would not usually need to be sent back to the planning committee but due to the high level of interest in the development, council planning officers requested it should be heard in public.

Councillors voted in favour of the plan seven votes to two.

Hatfield councillor Duncan Anderson and Coun Andy Pickering voted against.