A decision about a bid to build 20 detached homes in a West Cumbrian village has been delayed – due to flooding fears from residents.
Copeland Council’s planning panel met in Whitehaven yesterday and discussed the proposal for the estate on two parcels of land near School Brow by Raemore Developments.
Initial outline permission was granted in 2016 and the plans went before the committee again for it to discuss it in more detail. A group of villagers attended the meeting to talk about the scheme.
Councillors were asked if they still approve of the scheme with all details included but they voted to defer the plans until they are given a tour of the site.
Objectors spoke against the plans with increases in flooding and traffic being the primary issues.
Resident Eric Musgrave said: “It was originally given permission in 2016 which is quite a long time ago.”
He said the concerns raised in 2016 were more valid now than they were then. He said: “There are even more reasons now to reject this.
“A lot of our predictions were about flooding and the drainage issues, one of our predictions was that a child could get knocked over. I hope that will never come to fruition.”
Mr Musgrave said that existing flooding issues could be exacerbated by the development and are more severe in 2022 due to climate change.
Fellow resident Roger Pearson has lived at Eden Drive since 1968, next to plot A of the development.
He said: “My concern is of flooding which has occurred on our estate on a number of occasions over previous years.”
Residents mentioned an elderly woman who has been flooded out of her home more than once.
Mr Pearson said: “I note the concern of the flood and coastal events engineer that the attenuation basin might be inadequate.”
Mike Rae, the applicant said: “With the introduction of new road gullies, drainage in the proposed site and with the removal of the lower path, this will solve the occasional localised flooding of School Brow Close, caused by the run-off water mainly from the field.”
Mr Rae added that the safety of young people is paramount and the movement of HGVs can be restricted at school muster times.
Officers said they were satisfied with the drainage scheme that has been put forward but councillors were keen to visit the site before making a decision.
Cllr Graham Calvin said: “In my mind, to pass or reject something without even looking at it, it just isn’t right in my opinion.”
