Retirement homes rejected despite petition

The Victorian vicarage, with its substantial garden, sunken lawn and bank of mature trees, lies within the Penistone conservation area.

Developer Brian Dunn wanted to build the apartment at the back of the building within the sunken lawn, and create a new Victorian front to the main building. His plans also included the removal of part of the front garden to create extra parking space for shoppers and the apartment’s residents.

A petition in support of the plans was signed by 57 people.

But planning board members rejected the plans, saying the loss of trees and shrubbery would adversely affect the appearance and character of the conservation area.

Mr Dunn says he now intends to revise the plans, and hopes the scheme will then get the go-ahead.

“I was really surprised the plans were rejected,” he said. “The feedback I had from residents was really enthusiastic - they were 100 per cent for it.

“I have taken on board the comments and criticism and I am revising the plans. Hopefully these will be approved.”

Local councillor Brenda Hinchliff said: “There is a need for apartments for the elderly in Penistone.

“ I am fully in support of the development of the Old Vicarage because that would be conserving a beautiful building.

“However, some of the proposed parking would have been an over-development of the site.”