Doncaster: Pensioner to challenge Bessacarr beauty spot homes plan

Diana Hoyle wants to stop homes being built on the site

A pensioner is mounting a legal challenge over plans to build 121 new homes at a beauty spot in Doncaster.

The council initially rejected the proposals for the site at Rose Hill, Bessacarr, but a second planning application has been approved.

Diana Hoyle, 78, said if the homes were built it would be like "selling the family silver".

City of Doncaster Council said the site had been earmarked for housing for decades.

Ms Hoyle is a member of the Rose Hill Residents' Association (RHRA), which was formed last year to protest against the plans.

"Once it's gone, it's gone and there is nothing left for future generations to enjoy," she said.

"It's like selling the family silver."

RHRA said it had a number of concerns about the plans, including the impact on wildlife, the lack of infrastructure and an increased amount of traffic.

Ms Hoyle said she had applied for permission to seek a Judicial Review and had so far raised more than £3,000 to cover the estimated £5,000 cost of the initial challenge.

She said the area had been "heaven" during the Covid pandemic.

"It was so peaceful and all you heard were the birds.

"We don't just have locals using the space, we have cyclists and dog walkers and horse riders all coming here."

Campaigners fear the plans would destroy vital wildlife habitats

The plan was first rejected by Doncaster Council's planning committee in March 2023, but was later resubmitted by Miller Homes and approved in November.

Dan Swaine, the council's Director of Place, said the site had been marked for housing development for about 20 years.

"The developer for the site has to meet stringent criteria, which includes a commitment to sustaining the environment and offsetting potential impacts from development," he said.

A spokesperson for Miller Homes said the Rose Hill site had been allocated for housing in the council's development strategy.

"The approved development proposal meets all requirements to provide measures to increase nature - both within and outside of the site - and was developed with input from professional ecologists," they added.