Controversial plans to convert Cockermouth’s former fire station into housing are poised to take a step forward.
Members of Cumberland Council’s planning committee will meet on Wednesday and be asked to agree a procedural matter over the application, which was deferred in March 2024.
The plans from West Cumbrian businessman Bill Dobie had been brought back before the committee in 2024 because the original application, considered in September 2023, had ecological reports about red squirrel activity were out of date.
It turned out they were from a report produced in 2018 – and reports were only valid for two years.
People opposed to the development are concerned about the impact it would have on the red squirrel population which lives in the area.
Next week, councillors will be asked to agree the reason behind that 2024 deferral. They will not consider whether to approve or reject the application.
A report to members for next week’s meeting says: “Following the planning committee of March 13 2024, officers sought to obtain a full independent ecological assessment to be carried out.
“However, due to the time of year, which dictates when many of the assessments can be carried out, and the lack of capacity in the marketplace for ecologists, it was considered prudent, given the red squirrel reporting was the point of scrutiny for the development and not other ecological receptors, to commission an independent red squirrel survey and report only.
“With regards to the other matters a full ecological assessment would consist of, updated assessments were provided on behalf of the applicant, and a thorough review of the submitted reports was carried out by the council’s ecologist.”
They are being recommended to amend the resolution from March 13 2024 to say: “The application has been deferred in order for an independent red squirrel survey report to be undertaken, with a thorough review of other matters relating to a full ecological assessment, and the submitted updated assessments, to be carried out by the council’s ecologist.”
An independent red squirrel survey was carried out on behalf of the council in April last year and reviewed by the authority.
The 24-page report said it had located two dreys around 15 metres to the south of the development area which indicated recent or current usage and feeding signs were observed. It said it was not possible to establish if the dreys were used for breeding.
It added: “Work within 50m of active dreys pose the risk of disturbance to breeding squirrel, and potential drey abandonment.”
No red squirrels were observed, but the report said it could be because the small areas of woodland were not extensive enough to support them or that the site has regular high foot traffic, in particular dog walkers.
It recommended that if work was to go ahead, 50m protection zones should be established around dreys during breeding season and no tree removal or work that could result in high noise or vibration.
It added that an updated check for dreys must be undertaken by an experienced ecologist prior to any tree felling or high-noise works that cannot avoid the breeding season, to mark out protection zones and identify any newly established dreys.
The council officers report to members of the planning committee added: “Officers are satisfied that all ecological issues have now been appropriately considered at the site. Should the planning committee agree to amend the deferral reason to reflect this option, the application for the development would be represented for determination at a future planning committee.”
