A Government inspector will decide whether a housing estate in Barrow can go ahead after the developer appealed against a decision to turn it down.
Mulberry Homes has submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate after Westmorland and Furness Council refused plans from the developer to build 19 houses on land south of Leece Lane.
The developer said the proposals would deliver sustainable, high-quality development to the area.
However, members of Barrow in Furness local area planning committee turned down the application in February after receiving a report by planning officers which said the scheme appeared to be based on quantity rather than quality.
The council said: “It appears tightly packed and cramped, utilises standard dwelling types, with inadequate dysfunctional parking arrangements, a lack of identifiable public open space, including play space, and it would fail to compliment the adjacent Green Wedge.
“The result is a scheme which appears to be based on quantity rather than quality or good urban design principles, and lacking assimilation into the context of the area.
“In addition, the proposal fails to meet requirements in terms of energy efficiency and designing out crime. The layout, form and scale of buildings is not based on an understanding of the existing situation, including patterns of built form as well as the local vernacular and the development of the south side of Leece Lane and other precedents that contribute to local character.”
But Mulberry Homes said the proposal did not give rise to any in principle highways issues, provided a suitable level of car parking and would not harm or prejudice highway safety.
It added the development would provide affordable housing and result in an biodiversity net gain.
The proposed development features two-bedroom to five-bedroom properties and two homes designated as affordable housing.
