‘Affordable homes’ out of reach for most

The last two weeks of this newspaper have featured more instalments in the MU1 Saga.

Two weeks ago, Barnsley’s former Labour MP, Mr Illsley, stated that he was surprised that Coun Robin Franklin had commented: “the Coal Authority are satisfied that it is safe to proceed with the potential development of this site”.

The following week, we learn that the Coal Authority has unanswered concerns and repeated its objection to the planning application.

The council and those linked to the ruling party, with the clear exception of Mr Illsley, appear blinkered by their overwhelming desire for MU1.

The reality is that there are many objections, comments, and recommendations to the application in its current state.

Objections come from The Coal Authority and Active Travel

England. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, BMBC Highways and NHS Primary Care have raised points or have had points unanswered for more than two years.

Other recommendations have come from SY Police and Highways England.

My two Lib Dem colleagues and I have commented on the application as the residents we represent would expect from us. Labour councillors whose residents are affected by the development remain silent, which I imagine has disappointed those whose voices have gone unheard.

Just some legitimate concerns:

n Current residents in bungalows are set to have their privacy invaded by 2.5 or 3-storey houses directly overlooking them.

n A huge loss of urban green space access, which we learned is very important during lockdowns.

n The timing of the link road and the extra traffic on Higham Common Road, around the Hospital, and the A637, until it’s built. n The environmental impact. BMBC’s biodiversity officer stated, “It is also noted that the residual impact upon some ecological receptors has been downplayed”, and BMBC’s forestry officer also raised concerns.

This development will not ease our social housing crisis.

The cost of new builds leads to concerns that these houses will not be for us, despite how often ‘council house list’ and ‘our kids’ are mentioned. So-called affordable homes are often out of reach for those Barnsley residents wanting to get on the housing ladder.

Finally, residents fear these homes are for commuters, not Barnsley folk. That fear is understandable when just down the road is Lock Keepers Gate, whose marketing included “M1 only a short drive”.

I wonder what the next step of this saga will bring.