Doncaster residents in a spin over cricket and football netting plan

Plans to put up 6.4 metre (21 foot) netting and metal posts along parts of the boundary at Kirk Sandall Recreation Ground, off Doncaster Road have been submitted to the council.

Planning officers at Doncaster Council received 13 letters in opposition to the plan but 35 letters were sent in supporting the application submitted by both Barnby Dun and Kirk Sandall Parish councils.

The development is intended to stop ‘projectiles’ from the recreation ground causing damage to residential properties.

The intention is that a football playing pitch is to be created for an U13/15 team. The posts would be sited adjacent to the boundary with 33-35 Trent Gardens. The posts would be green 76mm steel for use with lightweight black netting.

Gordon Ackroyd, a former resident of Barnby Dun now living in Cantley, said: “I am appalled by the apparent determination of a few residents to prevent the sports field being used by an increased number of children wanting to play football.

“We are seeing the places available for our youth to play ball games reducing every year and we should encourage every attempt at increasing and improving what is available to them.”

But those objecting to the proposal were mainly from Trent Gardens who will have the netting back onto the boundary of their gardens if the application is granted.

Many used a template letter outlining their objections to the plan.

The letter said: “We are concerned that the applicant has disregarded other options which are more cost effective to the sports association and less likely to cause disruption in the long-run with regards to anti-social behaviour and the disregard of health and safety with the posts and netting being a permanent fixture in the high winds.”

The recreation ground area has a day nursery which is used as the kitchen facilities on club match days.

The wider site is mainly used by Barnby Dun Cricket Club, with other community sports functions, council planners said.

The applicants said the nets will be taken down out of season, in line with the existing nets on other parts of the site.

Recommending councillors approve the proposal, DMBC planning officer Dave Richards, said: “The proposal would be acceptable in principle given there would be no material adverse impact on the countryside or landscape character.

“There would be some material impact on the amenity of nearby residents as a result of the appearance of the structure but it is my opinion that this would not be harmful to living conditions.”

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