Objectors persuade council to block warehouse plans

Applicants Tungsten Worksop, Hallam Land Management and Paul Blagg said the distribution centre would bring 720 jobs and add £11.4 million a year to the local economy.

The proposal was two buildings on greenfield land — totalling 52,000sq metres — accessed off an A57 roundabout at Shireoaks, south of Rotherham.

A quarter of the additional daily journeys would have been HGVs, with concerns about “clogging up” the road up to South Anston.

Ben Storey (24), of Worksop, was among the speakers at Bassetlaw Council’s planning committee meeting last Wednesday.

Afterwards, he said: “I feel we got across the points that we needed to. I was slightly worried because a lot of residents felt it was a foregone conclusion it would be approved.

“There’s the traffic issue, and the amount of unoccupied warehouses we already have in Bassetlaw.”

Tris Wiles, who also attended the meeting, pointed out that traffic data was from 2018, since when other developments have been built in the area.

He added: “The planning team for the council put across arguments which appeared to be out of date and out of touch with the economy and the local area.

“It was stated that there was a large demand for warehousing but there was no potential end user as yet.”

Objector Sandra Hind said: “It’s a shame that RMBC would not object to this, when we already know there are many issues with sections of the A57 that runs into their area.”

Husband Jeff added: “My main concern would be the sheer amount of traffic clogging up the main routes around Worksop and surrounding areas, in turn channelling more traffic into the village of Shireoaks.”

Mark Goodwin felt such developments were ruining communities for profit, while Andy Hursthouse added that children’s safety on the village roads was paramount.

Rotherham Council raised no concerns during consultation, but 712 letters of objection were sent to Bassetlaw Council from elsewhere.

The applicants pointed out that permission for a mixed use development had previously been granted on the site.

They said: “It is concluded that the adverse impacts of development do not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits. The proposal will also result in significant economic benefits and will assist in meeting the council’s employment land supply.”

“Whilst the proposal will be visible within the landscape, it will primarily be viewed against the backdrop of existing residential and commercial development.”

An appeal is expected, but Ben said the residents would be ready to fight again.

He added: “We know we have some cracking points and reasoning to make, so of course we will.”