Plans to create 250 jobs at a retail development in Brampton has been condemned by the council.
The plans, submitted by storage company Budenny LLP, would see a large warehouse at Cortonwood Retail Park currently used by postal service United Parcel Services (UPS) redeveloped into six retail stores at a cost of £25m.
The area falls under the jurisdiction of Rotherham Council but an objection has been lodged by Barnsley Council out of concern for the effect on high streets at Wombwell and Goldthorpe as well as of Barnsley town centre.
A council spokesman said there was particular concern over how a new development would affect the 'vitality and viability' of Wombwell High Street so close to the proposed development.
But Wombwell Coun Margaret Morgan said she completely agreed with the objection. She said: "We can't be assured of those jobs and, at this stage, we don't know whether the new stores will be selling things you can get on the High Street.
"I've lived in Wombwell all my life and I've seen the town centre decline with the rise of supermarkets and shopping centres - it all makes a difference. I don't want to see people who work in Wombwell now put out of work and have to chase jobs at Cortonwood."
David Cole, of the High Street Committee, said the issue of jobs made it a 'catch-22' situation in some respects but the continued existence of Wombwell town centre was a priority.
He said: "Cortonwood had a big impact on the High Street when it opened. People need jobs but there are something like 120 shops in Wombwell and, if they employ about five people each, you're not gaining anything if they close down because of big stores opening at a retail park."
The warehouse currently on the site is being made vacant by Budenny due to a drop in output and the resulting loss of viability for the business. Director Daniel Harris said the firm employed 100 people when the building was opened in 2002 but now employs less than 30.
© 2013 Barnsley Chronicle Ltd
Firstly Daniel Harris is exaggerating, alba never employed 100 people. Secondly it was opened in 2003. It's says 250 jobs but how many of them are part time?? If you work it out there's probably a bit more than 30 jobs if you include the drivers and agency jobs! So 30 or more full time jobs gone! And you print this like you don't care that people's jobs are at risk for a gamble that may fall flat on its face!