Controversial plans for 670 homes in Doncaster set for green light

Doncaster Council planning officers have told councillors they should approve plans for 671 homes earmarked on a site north of Ramsden Road and Flowitt Street in Hexthorpe.

However, the final decision will rest with elected members.

The meeting is being held via video conferencing due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The full 32-hectare development includes hundreds of homes, a new drainage scheme, public open space areas and two points of access from Flowitt Street and Ramsden Road, to the south.

Pedestrian links along the River Don to existing open space is also proposed.

The former Eden Grove Sports Ground located in the western portion of the site is designated as open space and Green Belt land.

However, the scheme has received seven objections from location residents.

One said: “A potential buyer upon arrival to view the property will have to drive through Hexthorpe - a complete ghetto. They will encounter rats at all times of the day and night. Balls, cans or bottles are hurled at vehicles. Rubbish is naturally thrown wherever.

“The positioning of all the rented houses at the rear of Ramsden Road will result in more anti-social behaviour - 600 houses will form the largest block of housing in Hexthorpe.”

Another said: “Access from Eden Grove will turn this from a quiet cul-de-sac into a main road resulting in issues of air pollution, noise, and headlights flashing in windows.

“With no shops planned for the scheme this will be a 24-hour-a-day problem.

“The proposal offers no benefits to the residents compared with the previous scheme that offered shops, a supermarket and a pub.”

If the development is approved, the developer is asked to provide about £525,000 for four places at Hexthorpe Primary School and 26 places at Astrea Academy.

Planning officer Andrea Suddes said: “The proposal will redevelop a vacant, brownfield site for housing.

“Officers have identified no adverse economic, environmental or social harm that would significantly or demonstrably outweigh the benefits identified when considered against the policies in the Framework taken as a whole.

“The proposal for housing is in line with the development plan, the forward direction of Doncaster’s Local Plan and on a site that already benefits from a housing permission.

“The proposal will ensure Doncaster continues to deliver much needed housing in a sustainable location.”