Hurstwood to explore options on back of Lancaster refusal
Hurstwood’s application to build 249 homes at Lune Industrial Estate has been refused in line with recommendation by Lancaster’s planning committee, while changes to Hines’ Lawson’s Quay student accommodation project were approved.
At Lune Industrial, the developer’s proposals concern a 25-acre plot, with Hurstwood, advised by Peter Brett Associates, proposing to demolish existing buildings on the site and bring forward up to 249 homes, including a mix of two, three, and four bed houses.
Officers had given four reasons for recommending refusal, and while the first, relating to highways access, has been dealt with, three remain to be tackled in the course of any subsequent application, relating to integration with the area, overall design and providing sustainability benefits.
In a statement to Place North West, Hurstwood said: “While we are naturally disappointed by the outcome of this application, planning officers and committee members acknowledged that the site has the potential to accommodate residential-led development.
“We remain committed to this scheme, and are currently exploring options for a revised proposal that will address the few outstanding issues and secure a positive outcome in the near future.”
At the 444-bed Lawson’s Quay development, Eric Wright and Stride Treglown submitted an application to alter the scheme, where the Lancashire contractor started on site in August 2017. Changes have been made following the Department for Transport’s notice in summer 018 that shared surface proposals should be paused.
Stride Treglown’s covering letter said that following consultation with Lancashire Highways Authority and the council, a revised scheme of offsite highways works has been provisionally agreed, with the revised scheme no longer seeking to relocate residents parking to the eastern side of Bulk Road, also omitting a bus boarding area and bus stop improvement on Bulk Road. It added that traffic calming measures, kerb realignment and shared space treatment at St Leonard’s Gate no longer form part of the proposed works.
The officers’ report said: “Officers are naturally disappointed that the high quality public realm improvements on Bulk Road/St Leonards Gate cannot come to fruition due to the Government’s change in stance to delivering shared surface schemes.” The changes were approved in principle, with powers delegated to planning management.
