LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Residents group needs help now

THROUGHOUT the current pandemic Whiston Residents Action Group (WRAG) have continued to monitor developments regarding the proposal to build 450 new homes behind Lathe Road and Worrygoose Lane.

THROUGHOUT the current pandemic Whiston Residents Action Group (WRAG) have continued to monitor developments regarding the  proposal to build 450 new homes behind Lathe Road and Worrygoose Lane.

We have communicated with RMBC where necessary and held online meetings, the latest being with Alexander Stafford, MP for Rother Valley, who has written a letter of objection to the leader of RMBC and has pledged his continued support to our campaign.

The developer has submitted two updated reports on drainage and traffic; these are available to view on the RMBC planning portal.

The updated drainage report shows an increase in the size of water retention ‘ponds’, which appear to encroach on to Sitwell Park Golf Course and do little to resolve the problems caused by flooding from Whiston Brook. We believe flooding issues will increase if these new houses are built.

The traffic report details a number of proposed changes at Worrygoose Roundabout, including:

Widening the approaches on Worrygoose Lane, Broom Lane and Herringthorpe Valley Road

Provision of a 500m bus only lane on the East Bawtry Road (W) approach to the roundabout

Provision of a signal controlled pedestrian crossing on the East Bawtry Road (E) side of the roundabout.

We do not think these changes will solve the current or future traffic problems. With this new development, surrounding roads will become a warren of rat runs throughout Whiston.

Despite this, RMBC's drainage and transport officers have done a total about-turn and have now removed their objections. WRAG does not believe that either report offers any viable solution. It is therefore necessary for us to submit a second technical note from our two experts.

We need your help!

To pay for these reports it is necessary for WRAG to ask for your financial assistance once more, If you wish to help us save our fields and support our campaign to stop this new development, please donate directly to our bank account No. 63925269, sort code: 40-12-55 (Payee: Kay Keens), Reference — your street name and number,  or you can donate by cheque payable to: Kay Keens, and posted/delivered to 52 Lathe Road, Whiston, Rotherham S60 4LP. In addition we have a Whiston Residents Action Group page on Facebook where information is available and where you can contact us.

If you haven’t objected yet, there is still time, go online at planning.rotherham.gov.uk and input the planning application number (RB2019/0552),  you can then include your comments.  

All donations would be most gratefully received, but we would request that they are made as soon as possible as the planning board meeting could take place at any time.

If you have any questions, please get in touch. My email address is [email protected].

Colin Taylor, chair, Whiston Residents Action Group

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