Retail unit and flats plan for former Barnsley pub site gets go-ahead

The vacant site on the corner of High Street and Judy Row in Monk Bretton once housed the Butchers Arms pub, which has since been demolished.

A planning application has been approved by Barnsley Council for a new two-storey building with three retail units on the ground floor and six residential flats above.

A new car park is proposed with access from High Street.

A design and access statement, submitted by the applicant, states: “The proposed retail units are designed for smaller, local shops.

“The shops will provide much needed support for the elderly residents close by.”

In response to the application, seven objections were received along with two letters of support.

The main concerns raised included the size of the car park; increase in traffic; parking on surrounding streets; “potential gathering of youths around the retail units”, and “concerns regarding future residents of the flats”.

A report by planning officers at BMBC states: “It is acknowledged there would be noise and disturbance generated by the proposed retail and residential units, as well as the associated car park.

“However, the site previously accommodated a public house with a car park in a similar position as that proposed and has had permission for a similar use with commercial on the ground floor and residential above.

“There are a number of commercial units within the immediate area including two hot food takeaways.

“As such, noise and disturbance would not be to an unreasonable degree andresidential amenity would be maintained.

“The proposed development will be unlikely to generate additional vehicle movements above that generated by the previous use onto the local highway network which will be acceptable although it is accepted that some trips will occur at different hours.

“Access to the site will be gained over a proposed amended access from High Street Monk Bretton which is adjacent to the access to the Ocean Fish Bar and may cause conflict with users of the proposed access although the number of events is likely to be low which is therefore likely to beacceptable.”

The scheme was approved on November 14.