Plans for flats and shops on Doncaster estate rejected by councillors

The applicant, listed only as Ms D Mayil, wanted to construct the mixed-use site on a derelict piece of land off Shady Side, in Hexthorpe.

The plans include one bedroom-flats and spaces for four shops with a condition that none would be takeaway or grocery-based outlets.

The site has laid dormant for many years following a historic DMBC redevelopmentto provide the bowling club. It is largely overgrown with grass and self-set shrubbery.

Planning officers recommended the development should be approved with conditions but councillors raised issues around a lack of parking and poor landscaping.

The applicant’s agent, Inan Gokcek, said they had worked closely with officers to provide a scheme that made it possible for DMBC planners to recommend approval.

Deputy mayor and Hexthorpe councillor Glyn Jones, said: “We believe there is insufficient car parking on site and I have no doubt cars will be parked on the road even more because of it on Shadyside which in my opinion is a blind and dangerous bend.

“We believe pedestrians are at risk from where the development is.

“There’s the boxing club adjacent to the proposed development which is used by young people and this is close to the new access point.

“It is also no more than 100 metres from a development that’s been granted with 670 houses and that will have further adverse effects.”

Planning committee member John Healy, said: “I like the scheme, but it’s in the wrong place.

“There aren’t enough car parking spaces and this contributes really for there being too many flats.

“I know that area well and it’s too close to a blind bend, it’s already a danger on that part of the road.”

Councillor Mick Cooper added: “We can’t keep doing designs where we can’t plant trees that are integrated with the architecture – on this there isn’t room for it this is just maximum build again to cram everything in. The landscape is a poor relation.”

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