Resurrection tipped for 190+ Cumbrian homes
Nutrient neutrality requirements had left six applications languishing in planning purgatory due to their proximity to the River Eden Special Area of Conservation. However, recent shifts in catchment boundaries could give them a second lease of life.
Councillors in the area now within the borders of Cumberland Council had voted to approve the applications between June 2022 and July 2024, with conditions attached that required a satisfactory nutrient mitigation scheme.
That meant that the developers had to prove that their projects would not increase already high levels of phosphorous in the River Eden – an issue largely caused by issues with wastewater treatment works rather than the developments themselves.
Nutrient neutrality demands around Carlisle were lifted earlier this year, after Natural England agreed that planned and completed wastewater treatment improvements made them no longer necessary.
The work has led to the unlocking of more than 3,000 homes across Cumbria, according to the Cumbria Nutrient Neutrality Partnership, which is made up of Cumberland Council, Westmorland and Furness Council, and Lake District National Park Authority. The partnership worked alongside United Utilities to improve the water company’s infrastructure, replace septic tanks, and create a market for nutrient neutrality credits.
Now, a fresh wave of housing applications are ready to come back to Cumberland Council’s planning committee next week to have their nutrient neutrality conditions removed.
The largest of the six is Trustees of the Greenside Estate’s request for outline permission for homes on 15 acres between Newcastle Road and Station Road in Brampton. Drawings indicate the site could hold up to 80 affordable homes.
Also in Brampton is the second largest of the applications – Castles and Coasts Housing Association’s request to build 60 affordable homes and one open market building plot on six acres south of Greenhill.
You can see the full list of six applications going to the council for review below.
- Application 22/0078 – Mr Brown’s application to turn a garage at Bridge End Inn into staff accommodation in Carlisle. Originally voted to approve in June 2022.
- Application 21/1143 – D Routledge’s application to build four homes on less than one acre of land adjacent to Meadow Cottage in Tarraby by Carlisle. Originally avoted to approve in June 2022.
- Application 23/0204 – Trustees of Greenside Estate’s outline application for a possible 80 affordable homes on land between Newcastle Road and Station Road in Brampton. Originally voted to approve in November 2023.
- Application 23/0266 – Simtor’s outline application to build a possible 30 homes on four acres south of Chapel Close in Warwick Bridge by Carlisle. Originally voted to approve April 2024.
- Application 24/0200 – Custom Build Homes’ outline application for up to 20 self-build and custom housebuilding plots on 3.5 acres at Cardunneth in Langley Gardens by Carlisle. Originally voted to approve in July 2024.
- Application 23/0454 – Castles and Coasts Housing Association’s hybrid application for full permission to build 60 affordable homes and outline permission for an open market plot on land south of Greenhill in Brampton. Originally voted to approve in October 2024.
