Locals object to new homes scheme in Doncaster

Controversial plans for affordable homes in Balby look set to get the go-ahead tomorrow.
Joan and Bill Weir, Neighbourhood watch, pictured with residents from Ivor Grove and Evanston Gardens as they protest against plans to build 60 new homes on their doorsteps. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Protest MC 2Joan and Bill Weir, Neighbourhood watch, pictured with residents from Ivor Grove and Evanston Gardens as they protest against plans to build 60 new homes on their doorsteps. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Protest MC 2
Joan and Bill Weir, Neighbourhood watch, pictured with residents from Ivor Grove and Evanston Gardens as they protest against plans to build 60 new homes on their doorsteps. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Protest MC 2

Plans for the 50 properties on land off Ivor Grove will go before Doncaster Council’s planning committee tomorrow.

Documents which will go before councillors are recommending that the scheme goes ahead.

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Councillors will be told that 196 people have signed a petition against the scheme, which they say will see them losing land which is currently used by the community for walking their dogs.

But the developers have made a concession by reducing the number of homes from 60 to 50 to allow for two claimed rights of way to remain in place.

Objections to the plans have included concerns that a well used area of open space within a residential area will be lost.

Other concerns were the impact upon ecology; noise and disturbance; the lack of provision for play facilities; the impact upon local schools and amenities; extra traffic and the development not being in keeping with the local character.

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The report states: “Overall, although the proposed development is considered to be acceptable, the scheme is finely balanced. The application site itself is within the Residential Policy Area, in a sustainable location, and furthermore is specifically allocated for housing development within saved Policy PH1 of the UDP. As such, the principle of development is acceptable.

“On the other hand, the proposal has attracted opposition from local residents, and the revised site layout to accommodate claimed public rights of way have raised concerns from the Council’s Built Environment team and the South Yorkshire Police Architectural Liaison Officer. Furthermore, given that the scheme is to be supported by grant funding, commuted sums in respect of public open space and education cannot be borne. The scheme does, however, deliver 50 much needed affordable housing units, which is a significant benefit.”