Cumberland committee refuses care home
A 72-bed facility on a former hospital site has been rejected, while committee approved a visitor centre and other works for the Iron Line coastal path, along with Carlisle housing.
Cumberland’s planning committee meeting on 25 February was faced with an imposing docket, which also featured an eyecatching proposal from Premier Inn in Carlisle city centre, which was approved.
Care home at Caldew Hospital site (Carlisle reference 22/0956)
Oculus Real Estate and LGA Developments sought permission for a 72-bed later living care facility, with DPP on board as planning advisor.
The project team also includes architect Ryder, Max Fordham, civil engineer Price & Myers and landscape architect Trevor Bridge Associates.
Approval was recommended for the project at the Dalston Road site, described as a 25 minutes walk south-west of Carlisle city centre. However, members of the committee raised concerns regarding the scale of the proposed facility, along with its impact on residential amenity.
The site is flanked by residential development on all sides, and has a busy recent planning history. Two separate schemes came forward for apartments and/or housing, but neither were determined, before 2018 saw consent given for a 72-bed care home. This was never enacted.
Iron Line & visitor centre (Copeland reference 4/25/2198/0F1)
At Hodbarrow, Story Contracting was selected last year for the scheme, working with the council as applicant for a project that involves the building of a visitor centre within a 142-acre site adjacent to the Duddon Estuary.
This application effectively updates a 2023 submission, with more input from local groups and a focus on conservation.
David Savage, chair of the Millom Town Deal Board, said: “We’re incredibly proud of what the Iron Line represents. It showcases the natural beauty of our coastline while creating real benefits for local people. From new jobs to a vibrant visitor centre, this is a project that celebrates our place and supports our future.”
Layer.studio is landscape architect and Architects Plus the architect on the Iron Line project. Credit: planning documents
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said: “This is another significant step forward for this important project. We look forward to working with partners to ensure its successful delivery.”
The 4,433 sq ft centre is to include a café/shop, group room, staff/volunteer, toilet facilities and car park. Architects Plus is the project designer, with Layer.studio, CWC, Curtins, Placed and Greengage also on the professional team.
The project also includes consolidation repair and installation of interpretive sculpture to Towsey Hole Windmill; refurbishment of an existing tern hide and building new hides and viewing screens, as well as pathways, gateway features, street furniture and parking improvements, as well as landscaping enhancements.
The Iron Line forms part of the Millom & Haverigg Town Investment Plan.
Land north of Burgh Road (Carlisle reference 24/0515)
Home Group, working with Summit Town Planning, is behind plans for 114 affordable homes. The project had appeared before committee before February, but returned due to a change in tenure and changes in requirements around nutrient neutrality, which means conditions attached to the consent have been altered.
The site is around seven acres and is vacant, sitting north of Burgh Road, bounded by residential development to the south, Burgh Road Industrial Estate to the east and agricultural land to the north and west. The River Eden is located approximately 180m to the north of the site.
Like the previous proposal, the scheme will still be 100% affordable housing, but the mix is proposed to change from 100% affordable units for rent, to 60% affordable rental units and 40% social rented properties.
