This Petition is addressed to the City of Doncaster Council Planning Committee and respectfully requests that the Planning Application for the development of the former Brook House Farm site ( ref. PP-13025847) be refused due to its potential effects upon the life of St Leonard and St. Mary Parish Church ( Armthorpe) and upon the Parishioners of Armthorpe.

The development would undermine the peace and sanctity of an ancient Grade 11 listed site at the heart of our village and would cause major difficulties with access to the Church particularly on sacred occasions and ceremonies and for people who have issues with mobility.

Please consider signing our petition if you object to the inappropriate development of the former Brook House Farm site adjacent to St Leonard and St Mary, Armthorpe’s ancient Parish Church.

Mr A Parkin Coates has applied on behalf of Ulmus Homes limited for planning permission to build five substantial properties, with garages, on the former Brook House Farm site.

There are a number of issues arising from this application, however, there are several that relate directly to the Church and its graveyard. The Grade 11 listed Church dates back to 1154 and has elements of Saxon and Norman architecture. It is a peaceful sacred space, well used and well loved by its Parishioners. The graveyard, under the proposals, would have a long border with the development. It is felt that the proximity to so many houses and subsequent traffic would destroy the peacefulness of the Church grounds. Another key issue is that of access, the Planning Application specifies that the Lychgate road will be the primary access route. The Lychgate is not a through road and never has been. The Lychgate is used to park wedding and also funeral cars and for people with disabilities to be able to access the Church.

 Village events, such as Remembrance day are held in this space as the War Memorial is on the Lychgate itself. There are likely to be issues with traffic onto the new development needing to pass through such activity causing congestion and tension. 

In addition residents cars parked on the Lychgate would block access to the church as would visits by refuse lorries , delivery vehicles and emergency services. There would be one way in and one way out of the new development and this would be via a thoroughfare used for weddings, funerals and for accessible parking for people with disabilities.

If you would like to support us in trying to protect this very special place please sign our petition.

Denise Stothard, Church representative. St Leonard and St Mary.