'Asylum seeker housing' was actually storage site

The site was actually being used for the storage of shipping containers (stock image)

A council has been forced to deny online rumours that a housing complex for asylum seekers was being built on the site of a former glassworks.

Speculation began after shipping containers were seen on land at Oaks Lane in Barnsley. There was also a heavy police presence in the area on Thursday.

South Yorkshire Police have been asked why officers were in attendance, but Barnsley Council said the site was being used for "storage".

Its staff had visited to ensure no planning breaches were being committed.

Social media posts speculating about the site, which was the Beatson Clark manufacturing plant until it closed in 2006, attracted hundreds of comments and shares.

The local authority said information being shared online was "incorrect", the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported.

It added: “We’ve noticed some posts and questions circulating about work taking place on a former glassworks site at Stairfoot.

“No recent planning applications have been approved at this site, so our planning enforcement team visited to investigate. Our officers are, at this stage, satisfied that the site is being used for storage and no enforcement action is required.

“It’s crucial that everyone takes the time to verify information before sharing it on social media. This helps us avoid unnecessary upset, concern, and negative comments,” added the statement.

“Let’s work together to keep our community informed with accurate information.”

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.