Objections to 'over intensive' plan for 41 homes in village

Martin Phillips, from Ongo Developments, has applied to build a number of homes between Broadway and Broadwater Drive, Dunscroft.

The plan also includes a new access road from Broadwater Drive and extending the highway off Broadlands Close.

A new pumping station for foul and surface water is also proposed, along with tree removal and replacement and a new path to playing fields at the north of the site.

Planning officers recommend councillors approve the development, provided Ongo pays about £43,000 towards creating an offsite habitat creation/restoration project.

The plot would be split into two sections with the narrowest part linking both schemes with a footpath.

Doncaster Council owns the land, which is sandwiched between two residential streets.

Documents show it has struggled to ‘effectively develop’ the site for affordable housing in the past, but Ongo has approached the council directly in relation to the plot.

The council has received 12 formal objections to the proposal.

Residents cited reasons for objection such as impact on natural wildlife habitat, loss of trees, green space and privacy and an increased pressure on local services.

Hatfield Parish Council said it was an ‘over-intensive development’ of the site.

Planning officers said many of the proposed properties fall under the nationally described space standard, but would be acceptable in terms of floor space under the South Yorkshire residential design guide – the developer has looked into increasing floor space, but said it would add £400,000 to £500,000 in costs, making the scheme ‘unviable’.

Dave Richards, council planning officer, said: “The application is finely balanced as the development presents conflicting priorities for the council and, such is the case with many larger or more complex applications with on-site constraints, there would be some inevitable tension in achieving sustainable development.

“The social and economic benefits of the scheme are together considerable. The need for new affordable housing in the borough is undisputed and infill sites within existing residential areas are expected to take priority over greenfield sites.

“The benefits of allowing this development would significantly and demonstrably outweigh its adverse impacts. It would amount to sustainable development, bringing wider sustainability benefits to the community.”