Councillors throw out housing plan on 'high flood risk' in Doncaster village

Councillors went against recommendations of planning officers to throw out a plan to build properties on grassland between Marshland Road and Bloomhill Court in Moorends.

The committee said the scheme would have a 'negative impact' on current residents living due to a new access road from Bloomhill Court.

The application was deferred from May 29 for a site visit to assess the highway access and to look at the impact of the raised floor levels on the character of the area.

Speaking at a meeting on Tuesday, Thorne & Moorends Coun Mark Houlbrook said he supported the plan but with conditions.

"I'm very supportive of this application and I want to encourage growth in the ward I represent," he said.

"But the condition I have is that the developer change the access from Bloomfield Court to Marshland Road. If they don't, then I will formally object."

Responding if the developer was willing to change the layout of the plan, principal planning officer Gareth Stent said they would not be willing to amend the application.

Resident Benita Craig spoke out against the plans and said they have been fighting against several plans on this piece of land for 14 years.

She said: "There's been 500 houses built in the past few years within one and a half miles. If there's at least three people in these houses that's 1,500 people.

"We have two doctors surgeries and two small schools. We don't think there is the current level of facilities to accommodate more homes.

"We feel we shouldn't be at the risk of flooding for the sake of more houses. I've lost some confidence in the council because it feels like the developers are getting more of a say than residents."

The application received a raft of objections which included 31 signatures and two separate petitions. Four people supported the application.