Homes approved for former green belt land near Worksop

The sites were controversially made available for development as part of the authority’s recently-adopted local plan - a blueprint for housing and economic development in the decades ahead.

Strong opposition was mounted to an application by Duchy Homes to build 28 homes at Penny Piece Lane in North Anston, on a sloping site where the boundary of a conservation area cuts through the land.

Duchy Homes became involved after another larger developer pulled out and that saw the expected number of homes tumble from original plans from around 50, to a smaller number of four and five bedroomed homes, with a dozen bungalows to be given over to affordable housing. However, the scale of the houses against existing homes still caused concern among residents.

Ashleigh Dickens told the planning board meeting: “Penny Piece Lane is already one of the most dangerous roads in the area. It is a really, really long road. Surely it is the council’s obligation to protect everyone?”

Mr S Thomas also raised road safety concerns: “I travel down that road every single day. It is unusual to go on there and not be involved in a near miss.”

Council staff assessed the site and said there were no concerns to prevent building.

Addressing concerns about the new estate’s position on the edge of a conservation area, houses on the boundary will be built in natural stone, though it is planned to use artificial stone for those further into the site.

Councillors also approved plans to put new homes on land off Mansfield Road, in the same district. That site will also generate bungalows for affordable housing use and Rotherham Council received 12 objections to the development. The application was passed with a unanimous vote.