A government inspector is set to determine the fate of a contentious housing development in Barrow after Mulberry Homes appealed against Westmorland and Furness Council's refusal of their plan for 38 new homes.
Mulberry wants to build on what is described as 'open fields' north of Sherborne Avenue - and has now submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate over the council's refusal. A hearing will be held as part of the appeal process.
The council has previously criticised the project in a June 2024 decision notice for not achieving the 'high quality' design mandated by the local plan.
The council's report said: "It appears tightly packed and cramped, utilises standard dwelling types, with inadequate dysfunctional parking arrangements, a lack of useable public open space which benefits from surveillance, including play space, and it would fail to compliment the adjacent rural landscape and 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."
Moreover, the council pointed out deficiencies in visitor parking provision and said there was 'no evidence' the proposed affordable homes met local needs.
Planning documents reveal the proposed housing estate aims to offer a mix of two to five-bedroom properties, including four 'affordable' homes.
The planning statement says: "The proposed design will attempt to create a more modern spacious private housing estate than that already established on the first two phases of the site.
"The views will be open to all aspects around the site, and at the northern edge of the site a clear opening can be seen through to the open green area beyond the boundary, and the privacy distances will be in compliance with the local authorities privacy distances."
Despite a previous outline planning application for a housing development on the same site being approved, the deadline to submit reserved matters has lapsed.
The design and access statement continues: "This site is readily available and deliverable and would sit seamlessly into the surrounding area and would merely become an extension of what is already there whilst providing infill between the existing site already built out and Yarlside Road District, and within the settlement boundary of Barrow, whilst later having the benefit of sustainable development.
"Developments such as these will provide much needed growth for the community as well as a district, whilst forming much needed housing for local families."
The appeal is now under consideration by the Planning Inspectorate.
Don't miss the latest news and analysis with our regular North West newsletters – sign up here for free
