The Council for the Protection of Rural England, South Yorkshire branch, is opposing two distribution developments in the region, which could provide up to 4,000 jobs.
It has lent its support to Thorne Against Bradholme, a protest group concerned about the proposed development of a 2.05 million sq ft warehouse scheme at Bradholme Farm, near Thorne, being put forward by Premier Property Group and Warmfield Group and to ArmNogeddon a protest group against Gazeley’s proposed 115-acre development at Armthorpe near Doncaster.
The CPRE is campaigning for the expansion of the green belt around Doncaster, which currently does not include the countryside to the east of the borough. It warns: “Without it countryside close to the M18 and M180 will come under increasing threat from the proliferation of giant tin sheds.”
John King, planning officer at the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s South Yorkshire branch, said: “Sites for major developments like this should be earmarked when the borough’s future development plans are first written so that sustainable growth and environmental protection can be given thorough consideration.”
Doncaster Council is under pressure to provide land for economic development as allocated sites run out. The process to bring forward the Local Development Framework is taking longer than expected.
Outline plans for the Gazeley scheme have recently been submitted to Doncaster Council.
