Developers wanting to invest in the regeneration of Barnsley may be put off, if too much is made of the town’s problems with poor air quality from heavy traffic, the council admitted this week.

After inspecting the results of a survey into air quality in the town, DEFRA suggested the two main areas where nitrogen oxide was above the Government’s limit should be brought together as a single air quality-management area.

This, said DEFRA, would make it easier to develop and implement action plans on securing air quality objectives.

But the council is so sensitive about upsetting major companies it wants to attract to help regenerate its town centre that it will limit any action to just the two pockets.

Kate Roe, executive director of customer services and neighbourhoods, told councillors: ‘Adoption of this scenario minimises any negative perceptions associated with declaration of areas larger than the zone of exceedance of government air quality objectives, such as any potential perception of blight.’

This would ensure that Remaking Barnsley, the council’s regeneration flagship, would not be unduly affected, and potential investors would not be discouraged from working with the council to help develop the town centre.