The Planning Committee of Doncaster Council met on Monday 23 February 2026 to discuss a planning application for new dwellings and to review planning enforcement matters. The committee granted planning permission for the erection of 34 dwellings in Auckley, subject to a Section 106 agreement, and noted the quarterly planning enforcement report.

New Housing Development in Auckley

The committee granted planning permission for the erection of 34 dwellings, amenity space, an access road, footways, and drainage infrastructure on land East of Hurst Lane, Auckley, Doncaster DN9 3QJ. This decision was made subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement and the imposition of planning conditions. The agreement will ensure that 100% of the 34 units are maintained as affordable rented tenure in perpetuity, with a local connection requirement to the Parish.

The application, reference 25/00641/FULM, was for a development by the South Yorkshire Housing Association Ltd. The proposal included a mix of apartments, bungalows, and houses, all designed to meet high energy efficiency standards. A key aspect of the decision was the commitment to provide 100% affordable housing, which aligns with the council's Local Plan Policy LP7, aiming to deliver a necessary range of housing.

During the meeting, Mrs Charlotte Tomlinson spoke in opposition to the application, and Mr Paul Westhead, representing the applicant, spoke in support. An additional objection was lodged regarding the relocation of a footpath, which had been addressed in the committee report.

The decision to grant permission involved a detailed discussion of various planning considerations, including the principle of development, visual amenity, residential amenity, highway safety, and impacts on public rights of way. A significant point of discussion was the site's location within the Countryside Policy Area, which typically restricts new housing. However, the committee determined that the proposal's provision of much-needed affordable housing for those with a local connection, coupled with other material considerations, justified a departure from this policy.

The committee also considered the financial viability of the development. While the applicant argued that full contributions towards secondary school provision, open space improvements, biodiversity net gain monitoring, and bus stop upgrades would render the scheme unviable, a Section 106 agreement will include a mechanism for a further review of viability at the end of the development to potentially secure these contributions.

Planning Enforcement Quarterly Report (Q3) - December 2025

The committee received and noted the Planning Enforcement Quarterly Report for the third quarter, covering October to December 2025. The report detailed various enforcement cases, including prosecution cases, injunctions, notices served, appeals, S215 notices, and general cases related to unauthorised advertisements, for sale/to let boards, and developer signs.

Notable cases included an ongoing injunction related to land adjacent to allotments in Stainforth, where a permanent injunction was awarded, requiring defendants to vacate the site if a planning appeal was refused. The appeal against the refusal of planning permission was dismissed, meaning the defendants must vacate by 15 November 2025. However, further site visits indicated non-compliance.

The report also highlighted an appeal decision at 6 Shires Close, Sprotbrough, where an appeal against the refusal of a lawful use certificate for an air source heat pump was dismissed, and the applicant complied with the decision to move the unit. An S215 notice served at 10 Queens Crescent, Edlington, for a property in poor condition, was reported as complied with by January 2026.

Several general cases were resolved, including the retrospective approval of an outbuilding and fencing at 29 Pippin Way, Hatfield, and the approval of a revised application for agricultural storage units at The Stables, Ancient Lane, Hatfield Woodhouse. A structure and patio at 31 Highfield Road, Wheatley, were removed following a refusal and a final warning letter. An unauthorised garage extension at 2 Welbeck Road was also removed. A gazebo at Bungalow 2, Rear of 36 Florence Avenue, Balby, was relocated to comply with permitted development height limits.

The report also detailed actions taken regarding unauthorised banners and advertisements, with many displays removed by companies following initial contact or verbal warnings. The monitoring of for sale/to let boards and developer signs was also ongoing.

The report concluded with a breakdown of enforcement cases received, pending, and closed, along with a case breakdown by type of breach and geographical area. It also noted the formal enforcement actions taken, including notices issued, prosecutions, and injunctions.