Green light for Gleeson in Workington

The housebuilder secured a unanimous ‘in favour’ vote after seeking reserved matters approval for the 220-home second phase of the Ashfield Road South scheme.

Allerdale’s development panel met on 16 March to review the proposal, which was presented by Gleeson’s land director David Wright.

With outline consent already secured, the reserved matters application followed the completion of a 35-home first phase.

All 11 members of the panel present voted in favour. Cllr Elaine Lynch welcoming the provision of open space and describing the proposal as “a very good development: it’s important we look to the future with developments specifically aimed at first-time buyers”.

A Gleeson spokesperson told Place North West: “We are delighted to have gained planning permission for this fantastic site on the edge of Workington: feedback from the councillors was very positive.

“This will be our seventh development in Cumbria and our biggest in the county to date. We will be providing 220 much needed affordable homes to first time buyers, key workers and those looking to start a family with new homes expected to be released late summer this year.

“We are hoping to be on site within the next few months and will be looking to recruit local people.”

Gleeson’s proposal is for 38 affordable homes, making up 15% of the total. Of these, half are to be affordable rent and half discounted sale. There will be 33 two-bedroom houses, 140 three-bedroom houses and 47 four-bedroom houses.

Noted within the officers’ report is a point made by the council’s manager that the site layout plan generally does not provide dwelling types that meet the optional national space standards” and that although this is not a must for housing as set out in the Local Plan, most registered providers regard it as a requirement.

Officers report that Gleeson’s contention is that the proposal provides a variety of housing sizes to meet different markets and to increase square footages across the scheme would prevent “first-time buyers and key workers from getting on the housing ladder”.

The site is 22.8 acres and is around 2km south of Workington town centre, in the Moorclose/Westfield area. Conditions attached to the consent relate to the 15% affordable housing provision and a primary education contribution.

Summit Town Planning and Westwood Landscape are on Gleeson’s professional team. The developer is also now marketing a scheme in Egremont within Cumbria, a project consented in 2019.

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