The first phase of a multi-million-pound scheme to revamp West Cumbria’s former arms depot is set to be given the green light next week.
Derwent Forest Development wants to transform the ex-RNAD armaments depot at Broughton Moor – known locally as the Dump – into a thriving new community.
The first step is to build 71 homes on the site. The application said 20 per cent – 14 homes – would be affordable housing, including six one-bedroom apartments for over-55s, one five-bedroom home and seven three-bedroom houses.
If passed next week by the planners at Allerdale council, the first phase of the Derwent Forest project will see work begin on the restoration and opening up of more than 1,000 acres of the former Broughton Moor arms depot.
The site, between Cockermouth and Workington, has been closed to the public for more than 80 years and is the largest brownfield site in the North West. .
The company behind the scheme said millions of pounds would be invested in removing the military fencing that kept the site secure and in creating new cycle ways, paths, parkland and woodland.
Land polluted by the former military activities will be cleaned up and old mine shafts capped off and made safe. Further investment in the site’s bio-diversity is also planned.
Developers behind the proposals, which include plans for 71 sustainable homes, said it was right that the public should see all the benefits of the wider scheme upfront.
“We’re aiming to open up the site’s facilities and natural resources as soon as practicable,” said Nigel Catterson, executive chairman of developers Derwent Forest Development Consortium Limited.
“The coast-to-coast cycle path is a nationally-significant resource and brings with it activity and spending power and we’ll begin working on our link to it immediately, should our application be successful. We’ll also focus on the new footpaths and woodland trails and I’m looking forwards to seeing people enjoying them all.”
Among the facilities promised for this next stage of the project are:
- A new village green
- A 2.5km path and cycle way linked to the coast-to-coast route and National Route 71
- 15,000 new trees in a new 13-acre woodland to promote carbon capture
- A 1km woodland walk
- Watercourse improvements to the historic Flammiggs Gill
- A new multi-purpose visitor centre
- A new purpose-built early-years facility at the nearby Broughton Academy
Mr Catterson added: “The layout of the proposed houses respects the rural setting and the homes offer high standards of sustainable design.
“Traffic surveys by independent consultants show that only minor works will be required to the local road network and these have been agreed with the highway authority. Construction traffic will be routed through the site so as to avoid Great Broughton.”
Architect Dylan Jones added: “The site is blessed with lots of tarmac roads which were designed for military-grade heavy goods vehicles so we’ll be able to use these whilst we do all the heavy-lifting around the site clean-up.”
The company said more than 3,000 tonnes of contaminated waste will be removed during the initial phase of work, with proposals agreed with planners for the ongoing woodland and countryside management of the remainder of the estate.
The scheme’s wider masterplan includes scope for additional settlements, plus investment in new visitor attractions and amenities.
Detailed planning permission would be sought for those aspects of the project at a future date, Mr Catterson added.
He said: “This will be a key job creation aspect of our plans and will bring significant visitor spend into this quiet and lovely part of West Cumbria.”
Advisors on the scheme include architects Atelier 2 and global environmental engineers Tetra Tech. Development finance is being provided by Liverpool-based property funders Tower Grange Finance.
Broughton Parish Council has objected to the scheme. It fears the A66 is already overburdened and dangerous, the mix of homes is not right for the area and it is concerned about the promise of ‘eco-houses’.
Broughton Moor Parish Council said it was concerned that the plans do not deliver on the original design for green homes and it could see no benefit to the existing village community. It has objected because it does not think the existing infrastructure will be able to cope; the development has changed from its original vision of being green to “now just being another housing development for profit”.
Seaton Parish Council has also objected due to traffic concerns. However, Cumbria County Council’s Highways said the proposed access was acceptable, but wants an upgraded footway, bus stops and road safety audit.
Allerdale council received eight letters of objection from five people.
A report to councillors by planning officers said: “The role of Derwent Forest in West Cumbria is recognised in a number of key strategies including the Energy Coast Masterplan, Sub Regional Spatial Strategy, Cumbria Tourism Destination plan and Cumbria Economic Plan.”
The report recommends approval and Allerdale Borough Council’s development panel is due to hear the application on February 15.
