Plans for the construction of over 350 homes in Ulverston are set to be approved by councillors next week. The strategic planning committee for Westmorland and Furness Council is being urged to greenlight plans for 266 homes at Nook Farm, as well as proposals for 111 properties at West End Farm.
Quince Homes Ltd was granted outline planning permission by the former South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) in 2017 for housing at Nook Farm, but this new application pertains to 'reserved matters' such as site access, layout, and appearance. Initially, the applicant planned to build 330 homes on the site, but this number has been reduced to 266, largely due to the proposed on-site flood storage area designed to manage potential flood events, according to planning documents.
The proposed development will include 93 'affordable' properties, with 46 earmarked for affordable/social rent and the remainder categorised as 'intermediate housing'. The 'affordable' housing will comprise 14 one-bedroom apartments, 49 two-bedroom properties, and 30 three-bedroom houses. The 'open market' properties will consist of 12 two-bed, 71 three-bed, and 90 four-bed housing units.
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However, Ulverston Town Council has objected to the proposals during a planning consultation, citing concerns over flooding and over-development.
Their report prepared for the planning committee 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." It added: "They also advised it will put pressure on the local road network including the A590."
However, planning officers countered in their report that issues regarding the impact on local services were already addressed in the outline planning permission and are 'immaterial' to the current application.
The council report also pointed out that recent flooding on Mountbarrow Road can be 'largely attributable to exceedance flows' from the watercourse crossing the site, adding that the outline planning permission for Nook Farm includes the need for a comprehensive downstream drainage strategy to manage the watercourse.
Planning officers have recommended approval of the project, highlighting that the proposed scheme adheres to 'strong urban design principles' and will result in 'attractive streets'.
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Also on March 27, at Kendal Town Hall, councillors will also deliberate on whether to greenlight Story Homes' proposal to construct 111 homes at West End Farm.
The plans put forward include the creation of 38 'affordable' homes, breaking down into eight one-bedroom flats, 19 two-bedroom houses, and 11 three-bedroom dwellings.
Out of these, the eight one-bedroom flats and a dozen two-bedroom houses will be offered at affordable rents, while the remaining affordable units are earmarked for intermediate ownership.
The planning statement highlights: "The proposed development provides an opportunity for high quality family homes to be built within Ulverston, which is a sustainable location supported by existing connectivity and transport routes, services and amenities and employment opportunities.
"The site will be developed in a way that creates a natural and logical extension to the existing built form and urban grain and in accordance with the site-specific requirements of the residential allocation."
The development site neighbours Ulverston Leisure Centre and lies about 1.2km south of Ulverston town centre, as well as roughly 2km southwest of Ulverston Canal and the Leven Estuary.
The proposals call for the construction of 12 three-bedroom houses, 46 four-bedroom houses, eight five-bedroom houses, and seven six-bedroom properties, all destined for the open market.
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The project has encountered resistance, with objections from eight local residents and Ulverston Town Council, as noted in the report prepared for the committee.
The town council has expressed concerns about the proposed development, stating: "The Council feel this proposal would be over intensively developing a rural area with well-known flooding issues."
Meanwhile, Westmorland and Furness Council, acting as the lead local flooding authority during a planning consultation, has deemed the revised plans and additional clarifications 'acceptable'.
Planning officers have prepared a report recommending the project's approval, concluding that: "The development would not result in unacceptable detrimental impacts on the appearance of the area and would not compromise residential amenity inside or outside the site, subject to the application of suitable conditions."
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