A CONTROVERSIAL development for more than 150 new homes looks set to go ahead, after Carlisle City Council officers recommended the plans for approval.

Genesis Homes submitted an application for the building of 157 homes on land at Carleton Clinic, to the west of Cumwhinton Drive, Carlisle back in June 2021.

Neighbour responses from more than 20 people in the immediate area objected to the application, with most arguing that the area has been overcrowded in recent years with new homes.

One objector said that between 'Speckled Wood and Coppice Estates there are approx 400 new build houses in the area'.

Another objector, quoted in the officer's report, said: "The infrastructure is already strained with the nearest schools and shops in Harraby and the bus service only running every half hour and not at all on Sundays.

"The road are narrow, in very bad repair and are dangerous with present traffic, let alone extra construction traffic.

"The broadband provision is totally inadequate now and would be exacerbated with such an increase in demand.

"This proposal does not consider the infrastructure or the environment and would raise the housing density of the area to unacceptable levels."

Cumbria County Councillor Deborah Earl said: "There are way too many planning applications being granted on this estate, the roads can't take the heavy plant machinery and it causes misery for the existing residents.

"There isn't even a shop on this estate, never mind any other amenities."

The plans will go to Carlisle City Council next Friday, December 9 with the panel being recommended to approve the plans by city council officers. 

Council officers have recommended that the plans be approved based on an outline application that was granted in 2019 for the building of up to 160 homes with associated infrastructure.

An officer's report said: "In conclusion, the principle of development of this site for housing has been established by the outline application 19/0459 and the scope of this reserved matters application is acceptable.

"In relation to appearance, landscaping, layout and scale the proposals are acceptable."

A statement by Genesis when the plans were submitted stated that the company aims to "develop a thriving residential community in an exceptional landscape setting," while meeting "the challenge of providing a distinctive, high-quality neighbourhood that concentrates on meeting local needs."

The recommendation has been given to grant the application subject to a condition within the officer's report, with councillors making the final decision next Friday.

READ MORE: Plans for homes at Carleton Clinic in Carlisle under fire

READ MORE: Carlisle residents angry over Carleton Clinic plans