Concerns about potentially “cramped” conditions at a future Carlisle housing development have been raised at a meeting of the planning panel.
Carlisle City Council’s planners approved an application on Friday to build 39 homes on land off Richardson Street in Denton Holme.
But not everyone was in favour of the development which makes use of the former Kangol factory site.
Labour councillor Ruth Alcroft said: “I have some quite strong feeling about this development. It’s great that there is some affordable housing, it’s admirable that they are anticipating a lower than usual profit margin. As ward councillor it’s great to see that a brownfield site is being reused and I think that is really important.
“What I am worried about is the cramped conditions of the houses. If you compare the layout of the proposed houses with the terraced houses that are currently there, we are proposing to fit more houses on the space than we did when those terraces were originally built, some point last century.”
Cllr Alcroft, who voted against the plan said: “On one section the new proposal suggests seven houses (where, with the equivalent space of terraces, there were only six) and 17 new houses where there were only 15, so actually what we are proposing is smaller houses than we built last century.
“As a planning committee, we approve many housing sites with lots of green spaces and although we have a duty to take into account the historical context of the new buildings that we erect – and actually there are a lot of terraced houses in that area so of course it is in keeping – it saddens me that we can’t be more ambitious and that houses that are very densely packed, have to consider to be so.”
However, the report prepared for members of the planning panel said: “The scale, layout and design of the development is acceptable and it is considered that the development would not have a significant impact upon the living conditions of existing and future occupiers or crime.
“Subject to suitably worded planning conditions it is considered that the character of the area can be safeguarded through an appropriate landscaping and that the proposal would not raise any issues with regard to highway safety, foul and surface water drainage, biodiversity, trees/hedgerows, noise, contamination or flooding.”
Development manager Chris Hardman said: “In terms of housing size and scale, they do meet minimum standards. There is a minimum standard for a housing development, it’s not the standard that was in the previous terraced houses unfortunately.
“It is an issue which has been picked up in recent years and enforced nationally through housing standards because they were small houses.
“Even the new standards are smaller than previous houses and similar houses have already been developed in Denton Holme by this developer and they are much sought after and in demand.”
Conservative councillor and portfolio holder for Environment and Transport Nigel Christian said: “My grandparents in Derbyshire, he was a miner, their terraced house was bigger than these. It seems to me that these units are incredibly small.
“I wonder if they’re really future-proof for anybody who might live there. People might end up crammed inside them as families grow but perhaps incomes don’t.”
Residents have also raised concerns about traffic safety on the narrow street. One public comment on the council’s planning portal said: ” I am shocked to see that the lane next to number 35 is going to be used as an entrance/exit in and out of this housing estate.
“The road on Richardson Street is already a one-car road and there is a blind bend which causes mayhem already with cars driving at speed and causing many feuds on who has right of way.
“Adding a adjoining road to this would cause further problems to an already chaotic road.”
But the case officer’s report said: “Subject to suitably worded planning conditions it is considered that the character of the area can be safeguarded through an appropriate landscaping scheme and that the proposal would not raise any issues with regard to highway safety, foul and surface water drainage, biodiversity, trees/hedgerows, noise, contamination or flooding.”
As highways authority, Cumbria County Council has raised no objection to the plans.
A spokesman for Citadel Homes said: “We don’t understand the individual councillors’ comments. All of the properties provide two double bedrooms with fitted wardrobes, bathroom with showers, dining kitchens, a lounge leading to a private garden and private parking.”
