PLANNING ROUND-UP: Plans to turn a former doctor’s surgery into seven flats – which were rejected by Barnsley Council’s planning department earlier this year – have been approved by the government following an appeal.

Caxton House, on High Street, Grimethorpe, was the subject of a bid from Wakefield-based firm Property Investment Complete. However, they were turned down in April after the council deemed the proposed living accommodation was substandard due to ‘inadequate internal space’.

The applicants subsequently appealed to the government’s planning inspectorate – and their appeal was upheld and work can now take place.

A report states: “The main issue is whether the proposed development would provide acceptable living conditions for future occupiers with regard to the internal living space and external amenity area. The proposed apartments would fall below the overall space standards. The shortfall for several apartments would be only very marginal.

“Even the smallest apartment, at around 39.49sqm, would not be significantly below the overall guidance. Consequently, I am satisfied that the proposal would ensure that there would be no adverse effect on the living conditions and residential amenity of future occupiers. There are no material considerations of sufficient weight to indicate that permission should be withheld.

“I therefore conclude that the appeal should be allowed.”

PLANS to create eight new properties in Blacker Hill have been approved. An application was submitted in November 2022 to convert a barn into four houses, as well as the erection of a further four, at Woodhead Farm Cottage on Woodhead Lane. These plans were approved earlier this week.

A BUILDING in Wath-upon-Dearne could be demolished if plans are deemed acceptable. The building, on Sandygate, is reported to be two centuries old and though within the Wath Conservation Area it is unlisted. The applicant, Michelle Wilson, claims it is unsafe due to rotting wood and a collapsed roof. The consultation period runs until February 8.

PLANS to erect a new property in Barugh Green have been approved by the council. An application was submitted for the new house to be built on Barugh Lane in September. These plans were given the green light by Barnsley Council’s planning board earlier this week.

BARNSLEY Council’s planning board have rejected plans for a Crow Edge resident to build a children’s play house in their back garden. An application was submitted for the work to be undertaken on Pennine Edge in October. However, the council’s planning department turned down these plans last week. A report states the play house would ‘provide harm to the residential amenity of neighbouring dwellings’.

PLANNING permission is being sought to erect four properties in Wath-upon-Dearne. If approved, the new houses will be built at the junction of Albert Road and Victoria Road. Public consultation ends on January 29. A decision date has yet to be set.

PLANS to demolish a garage and replace it with a two-storey extension at a Cudworth property have been approved by the council. An application for the work to be undertaken on Pontefract Road was originally submitted in November. These plans were given the green light by the council’s planning board earlier this week.

PLANNING permission is being sought to convert an agricultural building into a three-bed house in Silkstone Common. If approved, the work will take place at Hall Royd Farm.

A total of four neighbouring properties have been made aware of the plans with no appeals to date. Public consultation ends on February 5.

PLANS to erect a number of solar panels in Lundwood have been approved by the council. An application for the panels, which will have a generating capacity of up to 1,330kW, to be built at the sewage works on Lund Lane were originally submitted in May. These plans were given the green light by the council’s planning board earlier this week.