It is fantastic news that Avant Homes have decided to not go ahead with the building of the 450 homes off Lathe Road, Whiston.
A huge thanks to Whiston Residents Action Group who relentlessly campaigned against this development, highlighting the huge flaws in the plans - not least the drainage issues which could have huge consequences for Whiston Brook and the flood risk.
Their work, which I was always happy to support, challenging terrible Rotherham council planning conditions, eventually led to conditions being imposed on the development which the current developer is unwilling or unable to meet.
While this is a huge relief for local residents, we need to remember the following:-
Planning permission for building on the land remains in place and another developer, backed already in principle by Rotherham council, could seek to develop the land
The adjacent “upper field” development of 217 homes (behind Sheep Cote) is still going ahead as of now
Angela Rayner’s housing target which is set to be imposed on Rotherham Council - with figures doubling what RMBC had planned for - means within the next decade a huge amount of land around our villages will need to be allocated for housing by our Labour council. If they can’t build here, there are many fields around Whiston and over villages which Rayner will insist are built on instead!
The housing market is currently suffering a drop in demand due to Rachel Reeve’s changes to Stamp Duty. If this slump reverses, the site will become more financially lucrative for a developer to invest in the drainage issue and then build
The land remains in Labour’s Local Plan and its green belt designation protecting against future development has been PERMANENTLY removed
So, let’s celebrate this win … but we must be aware that there are many battles to win.
(Photo from August 2023 before I joined residents speaking against the development at the planning hearing - the first time an MP had spoken at a planning hearing in Rotherham).
