More than 280 homes in Dinnington approved despite objections

Plans for the homes at Oldcotes Road, Dinnington, were recommended for approval at Rotherham Council's planning board meeting today (March 18).

Harron Homes will build the 285 houses on an 11 hectares site previously used as farm land. The site was taken out of greenbelt land and allocated for housing in Rotherham's local plan, adopted in 2018.

Harron Homes would also provide 70 affordable homes for affordable rent and shared ownership, as well as S106 contributions of £69,558 towards off-site affordable housing, £142,500 for sustainable travel, £28,000 to protect Throapham Orchard, and £666,125 for education.

The 60mph speed limit on Oldcotes Road would also be reduced to 30mph "beyond the extents of the proposed development."

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More than 60 letters of representation were received by the council, with residents objecting to the extra traffic, lack of bungalows, pressure on schools, GP surgeries and other infrastructure, lack of police presence and the visual impact of the development.

Andy van Vliet, planning manager for Harron Homes said the developer had worked with the council for the last year on this application, and that the site is allocated for housing use in the local plan.

However, members of the public spoke at the meeting to object to the plan, on the grounds of public safety on Oldcoates Road and Manor Lane, the site being on green belt land, lack of infrastructure, and traffic congestion.

The application was approved, with four councillors along with Rother Valley MP Alex Stafford voting against the plans.

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