'Plan for 61 homes is a wasted opportunity to build something better'

The proposals are for 11 two-bedroom homes, 42 three-bedroom homes, and eight four-bedroom homes on Broad Lane.

But South Elmsall councillor Steve Tulley said using the site for housing would be a missed opportunity.

He argues it should be used for something that would benefit people who already live in this part of the district.

He said: “I’m actually appalled by it. It was a chance to do something different. It could be have been used for a sports field or Astroturf, but no, as usual, it’s just houses, upon houses, upon houses.

“It’s typical, they think ‘it’s only the South East, let’s put some houses there.

“We feel a bit aggrieved, it’s a missed opportunity for people who live in this part of the world.”

A statement with the planning application from the developer argues that the project would be benefit the area’s economy.

It said: “In the current economic climate and times of austerity, the resources available to local authorities such as Wakefield are limited.

“New development can make an important contribution to the resource base of local authorities through land receipts, additional council tax revenues and through new homes bonus payments.

“Gleeson focuses solely on building low cost homes for people on low incomes in areas of industrial decline, economic and social deprivation.”

It said new residents in the homes would help to sustain existing shops, services and public transport in the nearby neighbourhoods.

It added the homes would be suitable for people who cannot currently afford to live in the area.