Two separate plans for new major housing estates in Ulverston have been given the go-ahead.
The strategic planning committee for Westmorland and Furness Council voted in favour of plans to build 266 homes on land at Nook Farm by Quince Homes and 111 properties at West End Farm by Story Homes.
Councillor Rupert Audland told the committee he could not remember having two applications of this size come forward with the right amount of affordable housing.
Cllr Audland added: “Not only the right amount of affordable housing, it’s also the right mix of housing, which is usually also an issue, so I think all parties should be congratulated on that, it’s good to see.
“I know there are certain local issues which will upset some people but I’m confident the developer will work with the community to allay any fears on any fronts.”
The former South Lakeland District Council granted outline planning permission in 2017 to applicant Quince Homes Ltd for Nook Farm.
Quince Homes initially wanted to build 330 homes on the site, but revised it to 266, largely due to the proposed on-site flood storage area to cater for potential flood events, planning documents state.
There will be 93 affordable properties in the proposed development with 46 available for affordable/ social rent, with the rest designated as intermediate housing.
The affordable housing will consist of 14 one-bed apartments, 49 two-bedroom properties and 30 three-bedroom houses.
The proposed open market properties will consist of 12 two-bed, 71 three-bed and 90 four-bed homes.
Ulverston Town Council objected to the proposals and raised concerns over flooding and over-development.
It said: “Councillors felt this proposal is for an excessive number of houses and over development of the town with no increased infrastructure such as nurseries, schools, Doctors, and will lead to increased sewage and requirements for gas, electricity, water etc.”
They also raised concerns about pressure on the road network, including the A590.
However, the report by planning officers said concerns regarding the impact on local services were addressed in the outline planning permission and were immaterial to the current application.
According to the council report, recent flooding events on Mountbarrow Road were largely attributable to the watercourse that crosses the application site.
It added: “The outline planning permission for Nook Farm establishes the principle that, as well as dealing with surface water, any development of the site should also include the necessary infrastructure to support a comprehensive downstream drainage strategy, dealing with the watercourse as well.”
West End Farm
Plans to build 111 new homes in Ulverston have been given the go-ahead.
Story Homes has been given permission by Westmorland & Furness’ planning committee for the development at West End Farm.
It will be the developer’s second estate in the town.
Proposals include the construction of 38 affordable homes – eight one-bedroom apartments, 19 two-bedroom properties and 11 three-bedroom properties.
The eight one-bedroom apartments and 12 of the two-bedroom properties will be available for affordable rent whereas the other affordable properties will be available for intermediate ownership.
The proposals also include 12 three-bedroom houses, 46 four-bedroom houses, eight five-bedroom houses and seven six-bedroom properties, all of which will be available on the open market.
Story Homes will contribute over £1 million towards Community Infrastructure Levy projects identified by the council – to help them deliver the infrastructure needed to support development in their area.
Adam McNally, senior land and planning manager for Story Homes in Cumbria & Scotland, said: “We’re thrilled to have received planning consent from Westmorland & Furness Council for our new residential development in Ulverston, allowing us the opportunity to bring more of our high-quality homes to the South Lakes region.
“This marks an exciting step forward in our commitment to delivering thoughtfully designed, high specification homes that meet the needs of the local community.
“We take great pride in designing homes that not only reflect the character of the area but also enhance it. With a variety of house types designed around flexible living, green spaces, and beautiful street scenes, we’re confident that this development will become a thriving and desirable place to live for years to come.”
This new residential development will also create benefits for the local economy during the construction phase as a result of direct and indirect employment opportunities through the sub-contractor and supply chains, as well as an increased demand for local services when the new homes are occupied.
It is anticipated that work will start in the late summer this year.
Councillor Janet Battye spoke about the demolition of two barns in the proposed development and said it was a real pity.#
The Levens and Crooklands council member said: “There was an article about this by the architecture reporter in this weekend’s Observer, about reconsidering the carbon impact, let alone the loss of heritage of knocking old buildings down and building new. I think this is really regrettable.
“Having had my say, because of the affordable housing, I think it’s important this goes ahead, but I think this is a crying shame.”
The development had objections from eight local residents and Ulverston Town Council.
The town council said: “We feel this proposal would be over intensively developing a rural area with well-known flooding issues.”
In a planning consultation, lead local flooding authority, Westmorland and Furness Council, said the plans and clarifications were acceptable.
The application is subject to an impact assessment conservation payment certificate or evidence no licence is required.
