Railway worry back on agenda as homes plan protest goes on

A decision was deferred in October on a “reserved matters” planning application for the Manor Farm site in Bessacarr, Doncaster, after community groups raised concerns over “dangerous” level crossings.

Persimmon Homes already has outline planning consent to build more than 900 houses on the once-rural site, but the firm has faced repeated objection from campaigners on green belt and safety issues.

The latest application, which is set to be approved by members of Doncaster’s planning committee tomorrow, maps out fine details for the first 276 houses, with work expected to start quickly.

Members of the Bessacarr and Cantley Community Forum, which is made up of local residents, attended the October meeting to stress their concerns and spokesman Phil Midgley said they planned to do the same again.

A letter to be presented to planners sets out the forum’s opposition to houses being occupied before both level crossings are closed and the “significant risk” posed by the high pressure gas pipeline.

Mr Midgley said: “We were asked to go to the council headquarters early last week and were shown plans which the council said would solve the problems.

“But we don’t think that what has been agreed in any way addresses our concerns, and we have asked to speak at the planning meeting to object again.”

According to the report to be considered by planners, Persimmon Homes and Network Rail, which is responsible for the two level crossings, have reached a agreement to provide a fence to deter use of the crossings.

A condition will be applied to the planning permission to ensure this is provided immediately, with a separate legal agreement to be signed guaranteeing the building of an underpass at Christmas 2015.

A further condition of the approval is that only 150 houses will be allowed to be occupied before the underpass is built.

The National Grid, and associated companies including Northern Gas Networks and Gas Transportation Company have raised any problems with the construction.

Mr Midgley said the forum had now appealed to the Office of the Rail Regulator, which has the power to overrule Network Rail if it believes public safety is at risk.

He added: “We were given very little time to look at the agreement which has been made between Network Rail and Persimmon about the level crossings which we think is unacceptable and surprising.

“We have not changed our position, which is that lives will be at risk if the development goes ahead before a bridge or underpass is built.

“Putting up a fence will not stop people who move into the new houses taking the shortest route they can to get to existing facilities, including shops and schools.

“They will not walk the long way round, as the planners seem to think they will, but instead will either climb over the fence, or walk to where it ends and then cross the railway line.”

In the planning report, Doncaster Council planning officer Garry Hildersley says: “The details demonstrate that this scheme will deliver a good quality housing environment and vibrant new development that includes a mixture of accommodation which will make a positive contribution to the area.

“Concerns about the use of the two level crossings and the impact of the gas main from interested parties continue to be raised.

“The proposal will lead to a reduced conflict with the level crossings and measures are to be taken to ensure that there will be no impact from the development or construction methods that will compromise the safe operation of the pipes.