Residents are dismayed that a second large housing development in their area does not include a new school.
Story Homes has applied for permission to build the next crop of homes in its High Crindledyke Farm development in Kingstown, Carlisle.
Plans to ultimately provide 850 dwellings on the outskirts of the city were first submitted in 2008 but drew the ire of residents who bought homes with the intention of sending their children to a school that was not delivered.
Story Homes has now applied for full planning permission for 188 dwellings and a further 273 homes in outline, as well as “ancillary local community facilities and open space”.
When asked if the facilities refer to a primary school, Story Homes told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that this was not in the offing.
Facilities will include an on-site community centre which could include a small local retail centre. Open space provision is likely to include play equipment and a multi-use games area.
Cllr Helen Davison, who represents Belah and Kingmoor on Carlisle City Council, said: “This proposed new Crindledyke development raises lots of concerns.
“Key issues include the lack of a school, which existing residents were originally promised.”
She now wonders whether the much-needed school will be built, whether or not with additional contributions from the developer, and how accessible it will be to families.
Story Homes has pledged a significant off-site financial contribution to education provision serving north Carlisle.
Cllr Davison also expressed concerns about an increase in cars on Carlisle’s roads due to the increase in homes and the lack of a primary school in cycling or walking distance.
She said: “Residents I have heard from are really concerned that the existing road network won’t be sufficient to cope with the large amount of new traffic generated by the development.
“They have suggested improvements to existing roads and a new road access into the estate.”
The developer has planned a new bus route through the estate but Cllr Davison said: “Although the developer is planning to make a bus route through the new estate, what is also needed are more buses, which run when people need them, are more frequent and go more directly to the city centre, as currently the time it takes by bus puts people off using the service.
The Green Party member pointed out a detail in plans submitted to the council: “Despite the developer promising the benefits of affordable housing in a letter to residents, when we look at the details they are only planning to provide five per cent affordable housing, in comparison with the 30 per cent expected in the council’s local plan.”
A spokesman for the developer said: “Story Homes is committed to providing significant funding to support the education place needs resulting from our development.
“Historically, we have explored opportunities to bring forward a school at Crindledyke, but it was found not to be sustainable by the Department of Education.
“Alongside the education contribution, the application will bring many other benefits to local residents, including the construction of an on-site community centre, the provision of on-site public open space that includes an equipped area of play and a multi-use games area, and off-site highway improvements, that includes upgrading the junction at Parkhouse Road and Crindledyke Lane with traffic signals, which will help with the predicted increase in traffic.
“Carlisle City Council will undertake an independent viability assessment against our own viability tests, which will include a review of the provision of affordable housing. We will work with the council through this process.”
