A planning inspector has stepped in and given the go-ahead for new homes to be built on the site of a former care home blighted by anti-social behaviour.
The Planning Inspectorate overturned a decision made by Barrow-in-Furness local area planning committee for Westmorland and Furness Council in October 2023 and allowed an appeal by Mulberry Homes to build 17 homes on the site of Combe House on Central Drive, Walney.
A report by the Planning Inspectorate labelled the scheme well designed and said the proposed development would offer attractive living conditions for future residents.
The appeal from Mulberry Homes said the site had been vacant for some time and the building was increasingly falling into a poor state of repair.
Its appeal said: “The redevelopment of the site and delivery of housing would bring positive benefits and lead to an enhancement of the area.”
However, in response, the council said the did not consider the proposal to be high quality sustainable or appropriate.
It added: “Whilst the redevelopment of the site for residential purposes is acceptable in principle and welcomed, the manner in which the appeal proposal has been designed and laid out is not.
“It is considered that the site is capable of being redeveloped in a much more attractive and sustainable way that would still bring positive benefits such as the supply of new housing on previously developed land in an accessible location.”
At a planning meeting in October a member of staff at nearby Walney Central Nursery, which supports 76 families, voiced her concern over anti-social behaviour on the site and said staff had called the police on numerous occasions.
She spoke of regular fires at Combe House and asked: “What happens to the 76 families if that fire engulfs the nursery or causes damage to the nursery bearing in mind there isn’t enough nursery provision in the borough for 76 families?
“Another thing is all the resources that are being used to contain the fires. There were six units for six hours last time, it is a drain on our community’s resources.”
Planning officer Andrew Willison-Holt previously told councillors the site was a suitable location for housing but there were outstanding concerns and objections over what he would regard as an overdevelopment.
Mr Willison-Holt told the committee parking provision was unduly contrived and convoluted and added the parking design would result in a poor living environment for future residents.
However, the planning inspector disagreed and said the design would not appear overbearing or unattractive.
They said there would be adequate parking provision with each property having at least two car parking spaces.
The report added: “This is a modest development, with significant on-site parking provision and favourable local circumstances, including local services in walking distance and good public transport options.”
