A Government inspector has turned down plans for a housing development in Barrow.
The Planning Inspectorate has dismissed an appeal from Mullberry Homes to build 19 houses on land south of Leece Lane following a hearing at Barrow Town Hall on November 19 and 20.
Westmorland and Furness Council rejected the housing scheme which consisted of a range of two to five-bedroom properties in February 2024.
A report by the inspector said the proposed two affordable homes in the plans were not well integrated and would be in a cramped corner of the site.
It added: “While the size and type of the proposed affordable housing is suitable to meet needs, it is not sufficiently integrated within the development and its design is not therefore acceptable.
“In addition, future occupiers of the affordable housing would not have adequate living conditions having regard to noise and disturbance and outlook.”
In appeal documents, the developer said the proposals would deliver sustainable, high-quality development to the area.
In February last year, members of Barrow in Furness local area planning committee turned down the plans after receiving a report by council officers which said the scheme appeared to be based on quantity rather than quality’.
The authority 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.”
However, the developer 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 a biodiversity net gain.
