Housing estate plans thrown out

There were 70 objection letters and a 119-name petition against Langtree Group’s proposals to build near Sheffield Parkway.

The sole access being from Blue Mans Way was among the reasons they opposed the development, along with the loss of the urban green space land.

Planning board member Cllr Andrew Roddison even chose to publicly argue the case against - rather than use his vote - when the decision was made at a meeting last Thursday.

It was thrown out unanimously and Blue Mans Way resident Nick Howarth said afterwards: “The whole estate is over the moon.

“We don’t want to lose this green space. It’s massively valuable. We already have lots of on-street parking and to add big lorries and cement mixers would be a bad idea.

“I’m all for new homes, I used to work in that industry. But you just know when something’s a bad idea.

“It’s extremely valuable greenspace. This area has matured over the last 14 years into an established local wildlife area with a great diversity of species.”

Langtree argued that the site comprised mostly of scrub trees of “low to medium landscape value” and had previously been allocated for employment.

The firm said the new homes would bring economic benefits to the area and 40 per cent of the site would be kept for woodland and recreational space.

Cllr Roddison said: “It’s not for a developer to say those trees aren’t the right shape, not the right size. 

“It’s been designated urban green space and the policy clearly states that we try to retain that.

“We can sit here and talk about access or the colour the roofs might be, but I would draw everyone’s attention to this key point.”

He told his fellow planning board members: “You will set a precedent throughout Rotherham if you allow this development to go ahead.”

Another resident at the meeting said: “How much more development can this area take? 

“Catcliffe was a small village, now it’s becoming a suburban area of Sheffield and Rotherham. Enough is enough.”

Supermarket Morrisons is hoping to build 89 properties to the south of the site, using access from Poplar Way.

Mr Howarth said: “Langtree had no involvement with the community after their open day at Catcliffe Memorial Hall two years ago. 

“That’s what got everyone’s back up.

“We asked them to look at the other access by working with Morrisons. We were told they only emailed Morrisons the day before the site visit.”

The application was deferred earlier this month for a site visit allowing the councillors making the decision to look at the greenspace and access. 

Planning board member Cllr Chris Middleton said: “I can see to an extent some of the developer’s arguments, but in the end we’re losing green space. 

“It’s very important to this part of Rotherham. The whole point of the Waverley development is that we have to have a balance.”