Cartmel housing scheme deferred over heritage impact

A planning application for 39 new homes in South Lakeland has been deferred over a late representation from a previously unlisted heritage asset.

The adjacent Cartmel Quaker Meeting House, which sits in the north west corner of the site, was granted grade two-listed status in April this year. As such, councillors have recommended further scrutiny at committee to be considered regarding the scheme as the site “does not contribute to the evidential value and significance of the asset.”

The representation was received on 25 September, giving the committee one day to consider the impact on the site. As such, the scheme was deferred despite a recommendation to approve, in order to allow sufficient time to go through the additional information.

The scheme was was originally granted planning permission in late 2017. As the developer Holbeck Homes has since reduced the affordable offer from 14 to 8, part of its the Section 106 agreement, it has had to reapply for permission.

According to Holbeck Homes, which was represented by Lambert Smith Hampton in its report submitted to the council, the affordable housing offer had to be reduced due to various factors. The on the site were to be made available for shared ownership sale which resulted in the loss of one social rented dwelling and five shared ownership dwellings.

Holbeck Homes said that since gaining planning permission, it had also seen construction costs rise due to the site’s “remote location and the bespoke nature of the design”. The low development density added additional costs, along with the uncertainty raised around property development caused by Brexit.

MSPL Planning and Design is the architect on the scheme. Smith Love Planning Consultants replaced Garner Planning in January this year as the planning consultants.

Holbeck’s proposals are set to go back to the South Lakeland planning committee on 31 October.