Cumberland flirts with approving 112 houses

Story Homes’ application to construct more than a hundred residences near Scotby is recommended for approval at the council’s planning committee meeting next week.

Situated on 12 acres of agricultural fields off the A69, the proposed neighbourhood would comprise 10 different house types, including terraced, semi-detached, and detached units.

Of the 112 houses proposed, eight would be two-bedroom homes, while 44 would have three bedrooms. There would be 48 four-bedroom houses and 12 five-bedroom ones.

Story submitted plans for the project in 2021, building upon an earlier, smaller scheme on the site from 2017.

Cumberland Council’s planning officers are recommending the authority approve the application, subject to a satisfactory nutrient mitigation scheme being put into place to address pollution in the River Eden Special Area of Conservation and a section 106 agreement.

However, the housebuilder could be due for a surprise ending. While the council’s planning experts are encouraging sign-off, Wetheral Parish Council has issued its own objections. The council claims the project would overdevelop the area and fails to integrate with the traditional village setting of Scotby.

The parish council also objects to the affordable housing provision in the project. Story has planned to have 19 affordable homes in the development, of which eight would be available for affordable rent and the other 11 for discounted sale.

The parish council argues that the site is capable of accommodating 33 affordable homes and should have to do so. Similar concerns have been voiced by the council’s housing development officer as well.

In evaluating the application, the planning officer noted that there are viability issues, which prevent Story from providing the appropriate 33 affordable home provision.

Urban Green composed the design and access statement for the project and is providing consultancy services on arboricultural impact and ecology. SUMO is the geophysical survey consultant, while SAJ is charged with transport. Root3 is the landscape architect.

The project team also includes Orion Heritage, Travel Plan Service, RS Acoustic Engineer, and ID Geo Environmental.

You can learn more about the project by searching 21/1068 on Cumberland Council’s planning portal for Carlisle.

UPDATE 31 August 2023: The application was deferred at the 30 August planning committee meeting.