The City of Doncaster Council's Planning Committee met on Tuesday 02 June 2026 to consider a schedule of planning applications. The meeting's agenda included discussions on a mixed-use development in Hexthorpe, a change of use application for a children's residential home in Stainforth, and a report on appeal decisions.

Mixed-Use Development in Hexthorpe

The committee was scheduled to consider a proposal for a mixed-use development at Land East of Hexthorpe Youth Centre, Shady Side, Hexthorpe, Doncaster, DN4 0DH¹. The application, reference 25/01471/FULM, sought permission for the erection of commercial units (Use Class E) on the ground floor and 11 flats (Use Class C3) above, along with associated landscaping, parking, and relocation of the site access.

The report pack detailed several amendments made to the original plans. These included bringing shop frontages flush with the main elevation to address concerns raised by South Yorkshire Police's Designing Out Crime Officer regarding potential CCTV blind spots and anti-social behaviour. An additional condition was recommended to secure a detailed lighting scheme. The report also noted that the proposed development differed from a previously refused scheme (application reference 16/01384/FUL) which was dismissed at appeal due to highway safety and a lack of soft landscaping. The current scheme proposed approximately 20% of the site layout as soft landscaping, addressing the previous grounds for refusal.

Discussions were also scheduled regarding existing local retail provision in Hexthorpe, with the report noting that the creation of new commercial units would offer opportunities to expand and diversify the retail offering in an area currently underserved by a limited range of existing facilities, particularly for residents in the western part of Hexthorpe.

Change of Use to Children's Residential Home in Stainforth

The committee was also scheduled to discuss a change of use application for a property at 8 Thorncliffe Drive, Stainforth, Doncaster, DN7 5PX². The application, reference 25/02511/COU, proposed changing the use from a 4-bedroom dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a Children's residential home (Use Class C2).

The report indicated that the internal living space and private garden space were considered sufficient for the proposed use. Concerns regarding noise and activity associated with the proposal were addressed, with the report suggesting that the impact on neighbouring residents would not be demonstrably different or harmful compared to its use as a dwellinghouse. The South Yorkshire Police's Designing Out Crime Officer had requested specific security measures, including doors and windows complying with PAS 24 (2022) or LPS 1175 SR2 standards, attack-resistant glazing, external lighting, and a CCTV system, which were recommended to be secured by condition. The report also noted that the location did not suffer from elevated levels of anti-social behaviour or criminality.

Appeal Decisions and Planning Enforcement

The committee was also scheduled to be informed of appeal decisions received from the Planning Inspectorate. This included decisions on applications relating to unauthorised development, changes of use, and extensions.

Additionally, a Planning Enforcement Quarterly Report for March 2026 was presented. This report detailed case updates, including ongoing investigations and closed cases. It highlighted specific enforcement actions, such as an injunction related to land adjacent to allotments in Oldfield Lane, Stainforth, and a Breach of Conditions Notice served for an unauthorised extension at 6 Pasture Gardens, Norton. The report also covered a retrospective planning application for fencing and vehicle storage at Cadeby Quarry, and S215 notices issued for properties in poor condition, including one at 130 The Crescent, Woodlands. General cases and breakdowns of enforcement actions by area were also included.