Residents protest against controversial plans to expand Doncaster business

Doncaster Council planning officers say Catlow Civil Engineering, off Pastures Road, in Mexborough ‘does not have correct planning permission’ at present and has been ‘operating unauthorised’.

The works also include the erection of a new office building.

A number of objectors made their feelings known in the pouring rain on Friday against the plan and held banners with references to dust pollution, noise and road safety.

Another banner read: “Health before wealth, our lives matter!”

Earlier this year, the applicant is said to have acquired additional land to expand the business, and began operations including the crushing and recycling of products.

The retrospective application to gain planning permission has received 71 objections from nearby residents.

Objections included additional HGV movements, dust pollution and the impact on health from crushing equipment on cars, noise and impacts on the landscape.

Planning officers said the applicant submitted a Permitted Development enquiry, following an enforcement complaint relating to an unauthorised wall of soil.

The enquiry determined that a full planning permission to retrospectively change the use of the site would be required.

Mexborough ward councillors Bev Chapman and Sean Gibbons have raised concerns relating to the proposal and have ‘been consulted and kept updated’ throughout the planning process, planning officers said.

The council’s Environmental Health team has asked for conditions on operational hours for use of the equipment and plant on site to reduce impact upon existing residential amenity through noise and disturbance.

Planning officers recommend permission is granted but the final decision will fall to councillors on the planning committee.

Planning officer Jessica Duffield, said: “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 National Planning Policy Framework taken as a whole.

“The proposal is compliant with the adopted development plan and adopted policies and there are no material considerations which indicate the application should be refused.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.