Plans for block of flats with commercial units approved despite traffic and parking concerns

Members of Doncaster Council's planning committee granted permission for the development off Shady Side in Hexthorpe, Doncaster, in a narrow vote – with three in favour, two against and four abstaining.

The plans will see a three-storey block with four retail units on the ground floor and 11 flats over the first and second floors built on vacant land, previously used as an unauthorised vehicles store – which required enforcement action.

19 parking spaces were proposed for the site, with one reserved for each flat and eight for the commercial units.

The proposals were brought before the committee at the request of Councillor Glyn Jones, who represents the ward, and had received objections from both him and his Hexthorpe and Balby North colleague, Coun Russ Linley.

Both men raised concerns about traffic and parking around the development, located between Hexthorpe Youth Centre and the local indoor bowling club.

In a statement read by Coun Jones on his behalf, Coun Linley said: “More traffic from tenants and visitors, shoppers and deliveries to these shops would have an adverse effect.”

He said residents had raised concerns about additional traffic noise and access issues with him.

Coun Jones, subsequently speaking for himself, said residents had raised similar concerns with him and pointed out the development would be erected close to sharp bend on Shady Side, which is a “regular bus route”.

Members of the committee also heard from Inan Gokcek, the planning agent representing the applicants.

He told the committee that the applicants had developed the proposals extensively, after a similar application was rejected in 2021 and dismissed at appeal.

Mr Gokcek said: “What I’m trying to say is how much we have learnt from the first experience, but also how much we listened to locals.

“We have listened to them and we have responded with this new scheme… We then got to the planning stage and worked further to make improvements.”

The application saw a number of amendments after being submitted to the council, which Mr Gokcek said was the evidence of the continued work to better the proposals.

Coun Neil Wood, chair of the committee, drew attention to the height of the block, asking what made the applicants believe three stories would be “acceptable” with surrounding buildings being two stories high or bungalows.

Mr Gokcek said the proposal “could have been four” floors, suggesting a compromise, and added: “It’s a contemporary building with a flat roof, meaning it’s only slightly higher than the other buildings.”

The proposals were discussed for more than an hour before being approved.