A new development of 22 houses at Kirkby Stephen has been given the green light.
The new housing estate is to be built on land off Nateby Road and was approved in a unanimous vote of Eden District Council’s planning committee.
It went before the committee due to a significant level of public interest. The committee heard that the original application had sought to develop 27 homes on the 0.73 hectare site, attracting 27 letters of objection and a recommendation of refusal from Eden planning officers.
However, the applicant — eQuality Homes Ltd — was praised for its reconsideration of the proposal and the resubmission was backed for approval by officers. The applicant’s agent, Tom Woof, told the committee that following the resubmission there was only three letters of objection and the scheme was supported by Kirkby Stephen Town Council.
The new development is set to see a variety of house types, including natural stone, brick and render exteriors with a mix of two, three and four-bedroomed properties.
A public right of way will remain on the site, which borders Birkbeck Gardens, and it will be accessed by vehicles from Nateby Road.
Concerns had been raised that local schools may not be able to accommodate more pupils and, at the request of Cumbria County Council, planning permission has been granted on the grounds that an education contribution relating to the primary school is made.
It was stated the secondary school has capacity to take on more students.
Tom Woof, founding member of eQuality Homes, a not-for-profit organisation that will build the homes, said: “Sustainability is a core feature of eQuality Homes developments, as such the development will not only offer high-quality, stylish homes but also homes that will be built to exceptionally high energy efficiency standards.
“The homes will feature various “green” elements such as solar panels and we are also currently pursuing a community heating system to help reduce heating costs further.”
