A controversial plan to build 156 homes in Carlisle has been approved unanimously despite traffic concerns.
Carlisle City Council’s planning panel met on Friday and approved Story Homes’ plans for a 156 home residential development on land off Orton Road.
The development was discussed at a previous meeting of the panel but councillors put off making a decision to allow further conversations with the applicant.
Councillors were sympathetic to residents’ concerns about the layout but were unable to impose a condition in that meeting.
Following further discussions between planning officers and the developer, changes were made to the layout, making the development less overbearing for the existing bungalows.
Councillors were satisfied with the tweaks and approved planning permission unanimously.
However, ward councillor James Bainbridge remains concerned about the development due to safety fears around an increase in traffic.
Cllr James Bainbridge said: “Following the recent planning meeting, Story Homes were directed by the committee members to reconsider the building line as it affects the bungalows on St Edmunds Park.
“This has now been done by Story Homes. Having, along with residents, requested this for the best part of a year, I am naturally happy that this has now been done.”
However concerns remain about the impact on traffic due to rapid growth in the area.
“I understand that Cumbria Highways as the statutory consultee on matter pertaining to Orton Road has indicated that these plans now meet their requirements.
“I continue however to be concerned over the cumulative traffic levels on Orton Road, particularly as I understand there is renewed developer interest in former farmland at New House Farm.
“This area of Orton Road has changed over the last ten years from a rural country lane to a feeder road for the Carlisle Northern Development Route.”
Case officer Stephen Daniel said: “The layout has been amended, two bungalows have replaced three dwellings.
“There have been a few other changes to the layout as a consequence, the main one being replacing a detached dwelling on plot 126 with a pair of semi-detached properties to keep the number of dwellings at 156.
“The changes are in line with members’ requests so we’re seeking authority to issue [planning approval] subject to the completion of a section 106 agreement – and that will cover affordable housing, education, open space, speed limit change, traffic calming and travel plan monitoring.”
A Section 106 Agreement is a legal agreement between a developer and the Local Authority, approving planning permission with conditions.
A raft of conditions on Story Homes’ application include that 30 per cent of the units will be affordable housing, that an off-site open space contribution is made of £31,038 for the upgrading of existing open space and that a financial contribution of £33,327 is made to support the off-site improvement of existing sports pitches.
Mr Daniel’s report said: “The proposed amendments are considered to be acceptable and they would not have an adverse impact on the occupiers of any neighbouring properties through loss of light, loss of privacy or over-dominance.”
