Protection plan for village is agreed

The lake which surrounds Walton Hall, formerly the home of Charles Waterton an eccentric 19th century traveller and naturalist.

Cabinet members passed proposals that are aimed at enhancing Walton’s environment, including sites such as Waterton Historic Park and other green spaces.

It also means plans to improve, extend and create footpaths, cycle ways and bridleway links, new allotments and community gardens until 2026 can go ahead.

Walton Colliery Nature Park, Barnsley Canal and Haw Park Woods are among the sites prioritised in the plans.

A strategy statement put forward to the council reads: “The overall strategy for the area is to maintain the village character by protecting the existing Green Belt and rural countryside and thereby focusing new development into the village itself.”

“The existing landscape characteristics of the area will be protected and enhanced and a new wildlife corridor will be promoted along the mineral railway line.”

The plan also includes policies to help safeguard existing services.

The change of use of shops, leisure, sporting and community facilities will only be allowed if it can be demonstrated that efforts have been made to secure their continued use for these purposes or that an alternative use is created.