'Uproar' over excavation plans that will result in 40 HGVs travelling through Doncaster villages every day

Carbon Action Ltd and Pilkington UK Ltd have applied to remove four million tonnes of material comprising silica sand, soda lime glass and iron oxides from the former Pilkington Glass site off Marsh Lane, Barnby Dun.

The applicant has said the removal of the products will be used for manufacturing products, the reinstatement of a floodplain for the River Don, creating new habitats for wildlife and jobs for local people.

But residents and councillors from neighbouring wards have expressed concern due to the amount of lorries travelling through narrow village roads.

Public meetings were held in Arksey and in Bentley on Wednesday, March 4 when dozens turned up to voice their displeasure at the proposals.

Documents show DMBC transport planner Sue Higham has recommended the maximum of 40 HGV journeys a day.

Bentley councillor Jane Nightingale said: “Potentially it’s the movement of 40 lorries a day and that is travelling from the burgy banks in Barnby Dun, through Arksey, into Bentley and through St Mary’s roundabout. towards the A1.

“These wagons are going to be 29 tonnes and the impact of all these lorries coming through Arksey which is a small village and the issue with the trainline crossings.

She added: “We’ve declared a climate emergency at this council and this will only go against what we’re trying to do.

“We want to hear from more residents affected but everyone is in uproar with two or three petitions going round with over 200 objections.”

The applicants have said the operation could last up to 15 years and lorries would transport the byproduct on weekdays between 7am and 7pm.

A spokesman for the applicant, said: “The operation will include on-site processing, however this requires only a small workforce.

“As such, staff traffic travelling to and from the site will not impact in any significant way on the operation of the local highway network.”

The application will be heard by the planning committee later this year.