Plans for 228 affordable homes in Rawmarsh approved despite objections
The new homes will go on land north of Grange Road and off Priestley Avenue
Plans to build more than 200 affordable homes in Rawmarsh have been unanimously approved by councillors, despite dozens of objections from local residents.
Rotherham Council’s planning board backed proposals by Taylor Wimpey Limited to deliver 228 homes on land north of Grange Road and off Priestley Avenue at a meeting on Thursday.
The development will include open space, landscaping and drainage infrastructure, with access created via an extension of the existing stub road between numbers 71 and 73 Priestley Avenue.
Planning officers said the development would be delivered as 100 per cent affordable housing in partnership with a registered provider, exceeding the council’s usual 25 per cent policy requirement.
However, a Section 106 agreement will still secure a policy-compliant mix across at least 25 per cent of the homes, ensuring the correct tenure split and distribution across the site.
The site will feature a mix of two, three and four bedroom properties, with three-bedroom homes forming the majority.
The application attracted 44 objections, with residents raising concerns about increased traffic, loss of green space and the potential impact on wildlife.
Others questioned whether local infrastructure including schools, GP surgeries and dentists could cope with an influx of new residents.
Issues around drainage, utilities and the safety of overhead power lines near the site were also highlighted.
Councillor Dave Shepperd, who represents Rawmarsh East, urged members of the board to reject the application, and raised concerns around access and highway safety.
He told the meeting: ” I appreciate we do have a deep need for housing. The access for this site, you’ve already got to go through several estate roads, which are already quite tight with with parking, as all roads are these days, and into one narrow access point.”
However, Simon Gammons, the council’s transport manager, said: “South Yorkshire Residential Design Guide requires estate roads to be 5.5 metres in width, so the roads are wider.
“They are relatively wide for estate roads, the percolation of the traffic will help with the junctions. The transportation assessment has been submitted in support, and we have no objections.
“We have to consider if that access is suitable from a safety point of view, and it is suitable. If we feel it’s an unsafe access, then we would refuse the application.”
Mr Gammons added that measures such as extending the 20mph zone to nearby residential streets would be considered, although this would require a traffic regulation order and could not be guaranteed. He said that potential improvements to safe routes to school would also be explored, with S106 funding possibly used to support initiatives such as walking groups.
In a report presented to councillors, planning officers said the concerns had been addressed through conditions and developer contributions.
Highways officers did not object to the plans, subject to funding being secured for transport improvements.
The developer has agreed to contribute at least £429,321 towards infrastructure including greenspace improvements, playing pitches, sustainable transport and bus stop upgrades, as well as contributions towards primary school places and junction investigations.
Planning officers said that while the site is classed as safeguarded land, the council cannot currently demonstrate a five-year housing land supply.
As a result, the scheme was considered acceptable under the planning system’s “tilted balance”, where developments can proceed if their benefits outweigh potential harm.
They added that the site is large enough to accommodate the proposed homes and that the layout reflects the character of the surrounding area.
The development will also deliver a 10 per cent biodiversity net gain.