Plans to build 670 homes in Doncaster get the green light

Members of Doncaster Council’s planning committee backed plans for 671 properties on wasteland north of Ramsden and Flowitt Street, in Hexthorpe.

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 are also proposed.

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

The developer has stated it is committed to enter into a contract with Sage Housing, a registered provider with Homes England, and 166 units are likely to be classified as ‘affordable’ which would be funded by Homes England.

Councillors raised issues with the work on the contaminated land and the proposals for the Section 106 agreement of contributions from the developer towards the local infrastructure.

The applicant and council planning officers said assurances were in place on the contaminated land and the Section 106 proposal had been found viable for both parties.

However, the scheme has received seven objections from nearby 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 headlight 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.”

Sport England also raised an initial objection to the scheme and said the proposal will ‘generate demand for sporting provision’.

The developer is asked to provide about £525,000 for four places at Hexthorpe Primary School and 26 places at Astrea Academy under the Section 106 agreement.

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.”