Story reveals £40m 167-home scheme in Lancaster

The 22-acre development off Grab Lane will feature a mix of two- and five-bedroom houses, provided planning approval is granted by the city council.

Currently farmland, the site will be divvied up to have 15.8 acres allotted for homes, 5.6 acres for open space and 1.1 acres for sustainable drainage systems. Hedgerows, trees and walls that already exist on the site will be preserved as much as possible, according to the scheme’s design and access statement.

Story Homes’ application calls for 13 two-bedroom homes with 775 sq ft and 44 three-bedroom properties ranging from 919 sq ft to 1,073 sq ft.

The 91 proposed four-bedroom houses would be between 1,207 sq ft to 1,660 sq ft, while 19 five-bedroom homes would range be either 1,803 sq ft or 1,905 sq ft. The five-bed houses will have integral garages.

The homes would be no taller than 2.5 storeys. They would also be a mix of terraced, semi-detached, and detached properties. The density of homes on the site would be 26 houses per 2.5 acres.

Plans also include 444 spaces for cars to park.

Pre-application meetings were held with Lancaster City Council as well as with councillors from John O’Gaunt Ward and Lower Lune Valley Ward in 2019. Public consultation on the scheme was held in November of that same year.

The team on the scheme includes Randall Thorp on landscape design, Croft on highways and transportation, Urban Green on arboriculture and Betts Associates on drainage and flood risk. E3P handled site investigation, while ERAP took the lead on ecology. BWB handled noise and air quality consulting, Orion Heritage was on archaeology and Graeme Ives Heritage Planning handled heritage.

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The building of this site does not bode well for the properties lower down Burrow Beck which are at risk of flooding. Does no one in the planning dept ever take the concerns of these residents seriously.

By Alan Box

Can’t believe we are still building on Agricultural Land, whatever its ‘status’ is in the Local Plan !

By Brown Field

I do hope if planning permission is passed that Grab lane will be widened and have appropriate crossings so the road can cope with the flood of traffic and pedestrians that will use the road. The road has been a rat run for years and this should be taken into consideration and planning permission not given until this is sorted.

By Ian Cottrill

91 four bedroom houses is not what the area needs. There are many one and two child families, singles and couples who need homes yet are unable to afford them. Yes building larger homes will alleviate pressure further down the market but will the cascade actually be apparent to those who need a home? Doubtful. Most likely the homes will be purchased by those from outside the area as investments without a viewing. I make this assumption based upon the area the estate occupies. Rental to university staff is a given. Stipulations should be made excluding property from group or second home ownership and a greater proportion should be viable to purchase for families. A four bed property in Lancaster will be outside the government cap of £224k cap help to buy loan. How in any way is this new estate helping anyone but developers?

By Jilted Resident

Needs a direct rd putting in to juntion 34 to extra cars off ridge Hill and Lancaster City centre

By Alan knowles

Yet more agricultural land sacrificed for urban development. Our planners are ruining Lancashire. It’s becoming one built up sprawl from Preston to Carnforth. Whilst areas like the Canal corridor in Lancaster remain derelict.

By Dave B

It would be interesting to know which way the drains go? And if there’s any plans to enhance the drainage system, I’ve been flooded a few times now and it’s not burrow beck that’s been the problem it’s the inadequate drains!

By Mark Croasdale

Why are Lancaster Council giving permission to build on green field sites ?
Now Bellway want planning for 151 homes on Quernmore Road near the new co-op.
Another green field site.

By MR STEPHEN A CURTIS

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