The Planning Committee of Doncaster Council met on Tuesday 20 October 2026, approving a change of use for Skellow Hall to specialist supported housing and granting permission for a new four-bedroom detached house in Branton. The meeting also noted appeal decisions and discussed procedural matters related to national planning delegation reforms.

Change of Use for Skellow Hall Approved

The committee granted planning permission for the change of use of Skellow Hall from a residential care home (Use Class C2) to 15 self-contained specialist supported housing units (Use Class C3a). This decision, made subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement and the imposition of planning conditions, will bring a vacant historic building back into use and provide much-needed affordable specialist housing.

Concerns were raised by local residents and ward councillors regarding highway safety, pedestrian access, and the potential impact on residential amenity. However, officers concluded that the proposed use would be less intensive than the lawful fallback position of a care home and that the recommended conditions and Section 106 agreement would provide sufficient control over the development's operation. The applicant's representative, Richard Leyland, assured the committee that the development would not house drug users or refugees, but would cater for individuals with learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorders, similar to existing provision at Old Hall Mews.

Additional conditions were added to ensure the staff flat and communal areas remain ancillary to the supported living units and are not used as separate residential accommodation. An informative was also added to remind the applicant of existing property rights and easements over the land.

New Dwelling Approved in Branton

Permission was granted for the erection of a four-bedroom detached house with an integral double garage at Longroyd, Whiphill Top Lane, Branton, following the demolition of the existing bungalow. The decision was made subject to the imposition of planning conditions.

The application had been called in by a local ward member due to concerns about the scale and design of the proposed dwelling, loss of trees, impacts on protected species, overlooking and overshadowing, and highway safety. While acknowledging that the proposed dwelling would be larger than the existing bungalow, officers concluded that its scale and design were in keeping with the mixed character of the street scene. Conditions were imposed to ensure obscure glazing and non-opening for first-floor side-facing windows to protect neighbouring amenity, and to secure ecological enhancement measures and landscaping.

Appeal Decisions Noted

The committee noted the appeal decisions received from the Planning Inspectorate. One appeal concerning a change of use at 286 Great North Road, Woodlands, was dismissed due to concerns about outlook, the adequacy of internal living space, and the inconvenient location of the waste storage area. Another appeal regarding an increase in the height of a boundary wall at 19 Somerton Drive was also dismissed.

Procedural Matters Discussed

The committee also received updates on procedural matters, including the implementation of the National Scheme of Delegation for planning functions, which comes into effect from 31 October 2026. The committee endorsed the appointment of nominated officers and members, approved a Planning Committee Triage and Referrals Practice Note, and adopted amendments to the Planning Committee Protocol.