A controversial bid to build 67 homes in Thursby has been refused for the second time due to concerns flicker from the nearby wind turbine and noise from the main road could affect the residents’ mental health.
Allerdale council’s development panel met yesterday and turned down Story Homes’ plan for phase two of development at St Andrew’s View, due to concerns that living conditions would be poor.
Road noise and flicker from the nearby wind turbine were all issues raised by objectors. The application was previously refused at a meeting in April as councillors believed the housing development would fail to provide an acceptable level of amenity for residents.
Councillors said that it could fail to meet this basic need for a number of reasons including exposure of residents to unacceptable levels of noise from the nearby main road or from the wind turbine.
Recommending that the homes are approved, planning officer Rebecca Wilson said: “In response to that, additional studies have been undertaken with regard to noise and mitigation has been set out.”
Story Homes removed ventilation units from the plans in response to concerns, replacing them with acoustic vents.
Ms Wilson said: “The noise sensitive rooms are to the north, south and western peripheries, generally the windows to the rear of the actual dwellings do not have a noise issue.”
But she added that enhanced glazing would be used and that an assessment shows acceptable levels of noise.
However a number of objectors from St Andrew’s View and the Thursby area again spoke against the proposal on Tuesday, reaffirming concerns that it would detract from living conditions in the area.
Thursby resident Colin Edgar said: “There are no changes in the number of houses, there are even three six bedroom houses now being proposed. The density and number of proposed houses, 67, is overbearing.
“It disregards the heritage and character of the area and physical expands the village with the A595 effectively becoming a western boundary. St Andrews View will not be enhanced and further burden will be added on the village infrastructure.”
Another resident also spoke in objection. She said: “My starting question is do we really want adequate Story Homes in Allerdale or do we want high quality homes?
“The application has no consideration of the current situation regarding energy, no boilers are currently on the market that are hydrogen convertible so the plan should include renewables.”
Councillors were also not satisfied that the proposal had been revised enough to justify going back on their earlier decision.
Cllr Anthony McGuckin proposed that councillors reject the application a second time on the grounds that it still does not add to the area. Members approved the motion by a vote of seven for, none against with three abstentions.
