Action group set up to oppose plans for 200 new homes in Doncaster village

A petition against the plans in Armthorpe by developer Keepmoat has already attracted more than 800 signatures and a crowded meeting at Armthorpe Community Centre last month saw residents angrily outlining their objection to the scheme.

Now, in a fresh step, a protest group – Against Ladycroft Development – has been set up to fight the project to build the homes on land south of Ladycroft Road in the village.

Spokesperson Andrea Lilley said: “Under the proposals, access would be provided via a road built over a much loved and much used, local public green space which is also situated upon an acute bend on a quiet residential road.

“Local residents are dismayed by these proposals, green space and farmland would be lost, in addition the increased traffic created would bring untenable pressure to local roads that are already struggling under current volumes.

“Armthorpe is already the defacto ring road to the south of Doncaster and subsequent traffic is reaching unbearable levels.

“Upon completion of the housing development on Hatfield Lane, up to 800 new properties will have been added to Armthorpe in recent times.

"This and the many infill developments already risk overpowering already stressed local facilities including doctors’ surgeries, dentists and some local schools and nursery provision.

“To add a further 200 new properties to this situation is intolerable.”

At the recent public meeting, more than 120 residents voiced their concerns over the proposed development.

She added: “When asked, by one resident, to raise their hands if they agreed with the proposals, no one raised their hand.

She added: “Clearly houses are needed for people to live in, but at what cost? Not all developments are viable; residents would argue that the costs to local residents and people from across Armthorpe are simply too high to allow this development to progress.

"They feel that this large, intrusive project is being shoehorned into a deeply unsuitable site to the detriment of residents, the environment, flora and fauna, good quality farmland and, already groaning, local infrastructure.

“Residents also fear that allowing this development would open the floodgates to even more development of the remaining adjacent farmland creating countless issues for residents.”