Plans changed after residents’ petition

Gleeson Homes submitted an application to Rotherham Council for a 34-home development on a former school site with dual access from Park Road in Wath.

The plans triggered a six-page petition and numerous letters of objection to the council’s planning board from residents listing concerns including congestion, pedestrian safety, soil contamination and parking.

Campaigners suggested the new homes should be accessed from neighbouring Cemetery Road.

And although Gleeson would not give details, a spokeswoman for the company said this week that they had revised the access which was in the process of being submitted.

She said: “When new housing development takes place it is inevitable that existing residents will be inconvenienced.  

“This derelict school site will bring 34 much-needed new homes and local people will be employed over the next two years to build them, injecting £1.5 million into the local economy.  

“We have re-drawn the access following consultation and we are sure that most of the concerns of existing residents are now satisfied.”

The former school was relocated and amalgamated with Wath Central Primary and the site is currently disused scrubland.

Soil contamination tests have taken place which found “no significant risk to human health”.

Documents in the planning application state that the location lends itself to a residential development due to its close vicinity to local amenities, including schools and shops.

The application states Gleeson aims to produce a “safe and secure environment” by producing a “well-considered and a well-designed scheme”.

A date has yet to be set for a decision.