Aerial photos show extent of unauthorised land clearance in Moorgate

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Aerial images have captured the scale of a land clearance actioned without planning permission

Rotherham Council rejected two planning applications and dismissed an appeal after Alexmon Baby removed vegetation and imported materials to change the level of land between Moorgate and Canklow without permission in 2020.

Local residents commented on the planning applications emphasising ‘anger’ at the scene of what is being described as ‘vandalism”

On 21 July 2022, Rotherham Council refused planning permission stating that “the applicant did not enter into any pre application discussions with the Local Planning Authority.”

“The development leads to encroachment in this the Green Belt location and, as such, represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt.”

“The development has resulted in the tipping of unknown waste material, covering up existing established soils and resulting in a potentially unstable embankment within this sensitive Local Wildlife Site.”

An appeal was rejected by Rotherham Planning board on 23 December and a further application refused on 2nd October 2023.

When contacted, a spokesperson for Rotherham Council said “The Council issued an enforcement notice on October 4^th, which took effect on November 5^th

“It requires the landowner to stop using that part of the widened access for residential purposes, remove materials used to alter the land, and restore it to its original state within six months (by May 5^th, 2024).

“Failure to do so may result in legal action.”