Heritage and landscape

People felt strongly that the framework needed to do everything possible to reduce the visual impact of development from the wider landscape, and maximise views to and from Hoyland Lowe Stand (Grade II listed).  

The proposed masterplan framework now includes design principles relating to the design of new employment units. These include:

• a requirement for the delivery of strong landscape buffers 
• appropriate colour palettes for larger buildings, so that they sit comfortably within the wider natural landscape rather than taking design cues from existing employment buildings
• identifying opportunities for green roofs on employment buildings

These design principles will be used to assess any future planning applications in the area.

Housing mix

People expressed their preferences for a range of house types, tenures and sizes to be included in the development.

In the proposed masterplan framework, lower-density areas will include some single-storey properties, with higher-density areas including 2, 2.5 and 3 storey houses, terrace and townhouses. The development will also include apartments, including opportunities for some older people’s accommodation, where appropriate.

Link road and the highway

The draft masterplan framework included three options (option A, option B and option C) for road access into the site. People’s feedback showed that there was potential for options A or B.

Option B (access from Shortwood Roundabout) is the preferred option included in the proposed masterplan framework.

This option means that the existing wildlife corridor to the western part of ES17 will remain and be enhanced. This would not have been possible with option A.

People expressed concerns about the highway impact upon Hoyland Common. The detailed design of the link road will be given further consideration to minimise impacts on this area.

Schools 

People are concerned about the capacity of local schools. 

Following an assessment of the current provision and projections based on Local Plan growth, the proposed masterplan framework now states that intervention in primary school provision will be required by September 2023.

There’s capacity in secondary schools in the South Place Planning Area into the foreseeable future. We’ll continue working with Kirk Balk Academy to manage pupil numbers through the admissions procedure given its proximity to masterplan framework areas. 

We’ll also need to work with other secondary schools and developers on a wider basis within the planning area, to make sure enough school places are available over the Local Plan period.

Stewardship and maintenance of green spaces 

People were clear that green space was the most important feature of the existing site. They highlighted concerns around the long-term maintenance of greenspace on new developments.

The proposed masterplan framework sets out our expectations in terms of appointing a single management organisation/trust, and the importance of engaging with them so they can input into the design of biodiversity assets including attenuation basins, green space and swales. This will help to ‘design out’ future maintenance issues. We’ve been engaging with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the Land Trust, who are both open to working with us in this area.

To make the most of the green spaces, there will be a focus on key principles such as biodiversity gain, health, education, and learning as well as community cohesion and volunteering across these spaces.

Sustainable travel

People felt that the promotion of walking, cycling and bus travel, to and from the area, would reduce the impact of the development on the highway. This was echoed in stakeholder comments from Highways England and the Trans Pennine Trail Executive.

An interim Travel Plan Framework has been developed to make sure that potential sustainable travel initiatives can be identified for the whole masterplan framework area including for businesses, workers, residents and visitors. It will also be developed in conjunction with other sustainable travel initiatives, including the measures set out in the Sustainable Travel Supplementary Planning Document.

The Travel Plan Framework will be driven forward by the appointment of a Travel Plan Manager for the whole masterplan framework area, and Travel Plan Coordinators for individual developments.

A Movement Framework has been developed in partnership with Barnsley Bus Partnership and Stagecoach to encourage bus travel. This includes:

• identifying temporary diversions
• new bus routes through the site
• specification of new bus infrastructure and phasing of delivery while the site is being developed

Crime 

People want the areas to have well-lit walking and cycle routes, linking CCTV and lighting and delivering well-overlooked greenspaces. 

The proposed masterplan framework focuses on creating safe spaces throughout the development. We have engaged with the Police Architectural Liaison Officer to develop design principles which ‘design out’ crime. These include lighting routes appropriately, providing natural surveillance of the public realm and securing storage for cycles at new homes, employment units and greenspace facilities. 

We will continue to engage with South Yorkshire Police as planning applications are submitted. 

Design of green space, play spaces and a new cricket facility

The illustrative layout and text in the proposed masterplan framework have been developed using people’s feedback and comments from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Sport England. 

The proposed masterplan framework includes a new cricket facility at the heart of the residential development and a children’s play area. This provision, along with green corridors throughout the masterplan framework area, will provide a range of formal and informal spaces.

The proposed masterplan framework has clear design principles that seek to make the best use of the space and to provide a range of formal and informal spaces to attract all age groups throughout the development. The design principles emphasise the need for over-looking of green spaces, clean and well-maintained signage, appropriate surfacing, lighting and resting places. 

Healthcare provision

People are concerned about healthcare capacity in the area. 

We have worked in partnership with the NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board to develop a healthcare briefing note which sets out the current provision in Hoyland and a commitment to engage with local GP practices to plan and respond to growth. This may include workforce recruitment or upskilling the existing workforce.

Broadband infrastructure

The proposed masterplan framework will support broadband infrastructure from a range of providers to give people choice and avoid the monopolisation of the area by one provider. 

Developers will be required to install gigabit-capable, full-fibre broadband infrastructure across the masterplan framework area to future-proof the development.

Design principles included in the proposed masterplan framework will also help to minimise the visual impact and physical obstructions on footpaths and cycleway from this new connectivity.

Environmental sustainability

Following the declaration of the climate emergency, the proposed masterplan framework now sets out our expectations for new developments. These requirements should ensure the carbon footprint for each developed property is being minimised and tied into the borough’s goal to be carbon zero by 2045.

The proposed masterplan framework sets out a requirement to incorporate space in new homes to accommodate low-carbon technology in the future, demonstrate compliance with the latest sustainability standards, and include measures to minimise carbon emissions and waste material over the lifetime of the development.

It also sets out the level of detail required in Energy Statements. These statements should explain whether zero carbon levels can be achieved, and if not developers should demonstrate why this has not been possible, and explain what steps have been taken to achieve zero carbon levels through retrofit at a future point.