Developers provoke further outrage

Wharncliffe Estates, which owns a large amount of land and property in Wortley, has submitted the plan which also includes new car parks and road changes, to council planners for approval.

Earlier this year, the picturesque community was upset by the plans, with some residents claiming they had not been consulted about the scheme before protesting about parts of the proposals.

Now, the South Yorkshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England has also weighed in, objecting to plans for two detached houses on open land that was formerly the estate’s deer park.

The campaign’s planning officer, John King, said: “There’s no real justification for sacrificing this valuable landscape for a couple of large houses.

“Although the masterplan says that they are essential in order to fund improvements to Wortley’s infrastructure, there are enough new houses already in the plan, and not a huge amount of new infrastructure needed.”

CPRE South Yorkshire said it is also against plans to cut down eight trees in the local wood to create 12 car parking spaces.

Mr King added: “Chopping down the trees is a terrible idea. Having cars parked in the woodland – which should be protected because it is Green Belt – will create an urban feel to this lovely rural area.

“Overall, we are glad that there’s an attempt to develop a co-ordinated masterplan for the village, rather than a series of piecemeal applications. However, we really do think that it could be better.

“In particular we’d like to see a bit more clarity about how houses are being designated and allocated as affordable and for local people.”

Nobody from Wharncliffe Estates was available for comment yesterday.