A two-part planning application has been submitted for the construction of over 150 homes near Lancaster. The applicant, Robert Hughes of Brewers Barn, Carnforth Brow, is seeking both full and outline planning permission for a hybrid application on an 18-acre greenfield site known as Brewers, in Carnforth.
However, the proposals have faced objections from Carnforth Town Council, Electricity North West, and the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership, with concerns raised over traffic, utilities, and visual impact. The application, submitted to Lancaster City Council, includes plans for 71 homes with associated vehicle access, roads, junctions, pedestrian and cycle access, earthworks, and drainage, while the second part seeks outline permission for up to 87 homes and public open space.
Lancaster city councillors are set to visit the site before the next planning committee meeting. The proposed site is a 7.4-hectare greenfield area on the edge of Carnforth, between Whernside Grove and Browfoot Close and the A6070 on the west.
According to a report to Lancaster's planning committee, the application has been amended several times, reducing the total number of proposed dwellings from up to 195 to up to 158.
"It has been delayed due to numerous deficiencies in the application largely relating to design and layout considerations, the assessment of flood risk and more recently the application of a flood risk sequential test," the report stated. As part of the full planning application, 21 homes are proposed as affordable, with South Lakes Housing Association reportedly set to acquire them according to the applicant, reports .
The plan also includes some earth levelling work due to sloping land, culverts of a waterway for new roads, and retaining walls for some plots, mainly back gardens, along with some engineering work to river banks.
The planning report adds: "The site has been subject to several planning applications over the past decade, including initial proposals for a marina complex and hotel, which were subsequently withdrawn. The applicant later secured planning permission for up to 158 dwellings after complex negotiation and overcoming several objections."
This was followed by county council discussions about a proposed roundabout, understood by the city council. The applicant then chose to submit a hybrid application.
During the official determination period, the applicant's previous planning permission has expired.
Planning officers are advising Lancaster councillors to approve both the full and outline elements of a proposal, subject to legal agreements. These include over £70,000 towards sports facilities at Carnforth High School, other contributions, and conditions such as 30 per cent affordable homes in the outline element.
The planning committee of Lancaster City Council is set to meet at Morecambe Town Hall on Monday, October 28, at 10.30.
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