Major housing scheme decision delayed

A decision on plans to build 150 new homes has been deferred after councillors asked for more details around the developer's contribution towards extra school places.

The planning application, from Stonebridge Homes, would have seen the development built off Hatfield Lane, in Barnby Dun, Doncaster.

A report by planning officers said the developers would be asked to make financial contributions to local schools, including Hungerhill, to provide additional school places.

However, councillors decided they needed answers from the council's education department on how it calculates figures regarding school places for developments.

The report said a contribution of £605,000 would have funded 25 additional school places, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It prompted questions from councillors Steve Cox and Neil Wood, with the latter referencing other developments near to Hungerhill school which would add to demand.

Cox moved to defer the decision on planning permission until staff from the council's education department came to offer "clarity".

Wood asked if a cumulative figure for places at schools affected by multiple developments to be put in council reports.

The vote was carried and the application will come back to planning at a later date.

The plans consist of 115 dwellings for "market housing" and 35 dwellings for "affordable housing".

The council report stated the proposal "meets all key policy requirements in respect of affordable housing, public open space, education, and biodiversity net gain".

A total of 63 objections had been lodged by residents in the area, raising concerns about the impact on services, including GPs in the area.

However, officers informed councillors on the committee the GP practice locally "is still accepting new patients and there are others also nearby".

Katie Purdam, who spoke on behalf of Stonebridge Homes, said: "The scheme has been subject to a number of changes since it was first submitted."

She said it was an "opportunity" shaped with the local community and council "to deliver much need housing on the site".

"The proposals have been designed with community in mind," she told the meeting.

A decision on the application will be made at a future date.

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