Lancaster set to refuse 644 homes, link road
A lack of supporting infrastructure and concerns around design quality could be the downfall of Gladman Developments’ plans for the 97-acre site off Bailrigg Lane, and its proposed access.
Lancaster City Council is expected to refuse the developer’s outline application to build 644 homes and separate plans to create a link road to access the development at a planning meeting next Monday.
Outline application
Application number: 19/01135/OUT
Gladman Developments’ outline plans for the 97-acre woodland off Bailrigg Lane will see the demolition of Low Hill House to make way for 644 homes in South Lancaster.
An illustrative masterplan indicates that the development would feature a range of house types and tenures, with up to 30% of the units proposed to be affordable.
Proposals also feature a local centre providing up to 3,000 sq ft of floor space, and a 1,600 sq ft community hall.
There would be a large proportion of green open space in the form of soft landscaping and public footpaths, as well as three play areas.
The application is set to be rejected next week, having received more than 200 objections from members of the public. An officer’s report cites concerns around the lack of infrastructure, the quality of the development, and flood risks as the reasons for refusal.
This decision will be made just months after wider plans to build at least 3,500 homes and a link road in South Lancaster were officially put on hold.
Lancashire County Council, Lancaster City Council, and Homes England suspended their plans in June for the Bailrigg Garden Village to re-evaluate the proposals due to rising project costs.
Link road
Application number: 19/01137/FUL
Gladman Developments is also awaiting the verdict on its plans to build a link road between the proposed residential development and Lancaster University’s £41m Health Innovation Campus also in line for the red cross.
A 30-metre section of the hedge along Bailrigg Lane would need to be removed to make way for the road, which would serve the residential development.
Officers have recommended that this application should also be refused as, in absence of approval for the housing, the link road alone would significantly affect highway safety with no justification for the loss of hedgerows.
The project team working across both schemes includes Eddisons, Enzygo, Pager Power, Evelyn Ecology, Savills, and CSA Environmental.
Beggars belief! Anyone would think there was no housing crisis in the UK with decisions like this..
By Grumpy Old Git
As a recently reported housing appeal at South Ribble was allowed (incurring a hilarious rant from the local council leader) with inspector citing grounds that traffic implications were not a deal-breaker when it comes to housing development, then Gladman may reckon they’ve a good chance on appeal. Looks like a natural extension to the urban area from this brief summary. Developers can’t sit around forever waiting for the public sector to get its act together on infrastructure and maybe an inspector will agree.
By Sceptic
This area has been crying for development (subject to highways improvements) for a good decade or two – at least some money is being allocated for a solution. Lancaster needs investment!
By Deja
Good ,travelled along the A6 yesterday towards Barton and there were so many new houses , all the same type .Lancaster has plenty of new housing developments and we don’t need to trash the countryside to the south with poorly built houses .There few open spaces within Lancaster and small gardens so people need yhe open areas to the south and along the canal and so does wildlife .
By Joni Mitchell fan
Too much building going on, all the green fields and countryside disappearing at an alarming rate
By Anonymous
I fail to understand the statements floating around about insufficient housing development. Clearly those making them have not been driving around with Thier eyes closed when around Garstang, Preston, Lancaster. The problem is surely too many developments of 4 and 5 bedroom homes, and not enough , presumably less profitable, starter homes.
By Anonymous
As anonymous said, too many 4 and 5 bed lux homes. Developers are in it for the money, not the quality, aesthetics or sustainability. No cohesive strategy is in place, hence the many bolt-on new housing blocks which litter the A6 corridor between Lancaster and Broughton with no consideration for the future traffic congestion.
By Peter
Please take into consideration that Lancaster is a historic city.It does not want development of this size.Hospitals schools and the infrastructure
By J.dignum.