Lancaster set to approve Briery housing scheme

Kendal-based Briery Homes is expected to have its plans for 77 homes on agricultural land near Carnforth approved by Lancaster City Council despite opposition.

The planned estate will cover eight acres and consist of a mixture of two-bed flats and three and four-bed houses.

It has attracted opposition from the local Conservative MP David Morris, Bolton-le-Sands Parish Council and residents who have sent 116 letters to the council.

They say the new houses will have a "dramatic" impact on the village, damage the environment and over-burden local facilities such as the primary school.

The Ramblers Association and the Campaign to Protect Rural England have echoed their concerns on the environment.

But in their report, ahead of a planning meeting on November 14, council officers said: "It is recognised that the proposal represents greenfield development however this is outweighed by other sustainability considerations.

"The site is in close proximity to existing community facilities and the services which can be easily accessed by walking, cycling and public transport."

It added: "The proposal is found to respond to the scale and grain of the existing buildings and is acceptable in terms of scale."

The scheme has been designed by Lancaster-based Harrison Pitt Architects.