CARLISLE's increasing housing developments could place a strain on local services and the city's infrastructure, it's been warned.

The last year has seen numerous applications lodged for large-scale housing developments in Carlisle and the surrounding area. In some cases the developments have comprised of more than 100 homes.

Green Party parliamentary candidate, Gavin Hawkton, said that he recognised the need for new local housing, but emphasised that upgrades to services are a 'must' to match expanding developments, highlighting doctors’ surgeries, schools, bus services, and cycle networks as critical services requiring enhancement.

Last week, plans were approved for 62 homes in Longtown, despite the parish council saying there are ‘great concerns’ for the development in the area. 

Residents also raised objections around the project, saying that local facilities such as doctors and schools were at capacity, sewerage systems aren’t able to cope and the new development would bring increased volumes of traffic and congestion.

In addition to the Longtown project, there are proposals for a further development consisting of 90 new homes on a field at the junction of Orton Road and Sandsfield Road.

An area opposite the site, to the south of Orton Road, is currently allocated for residential development, which is being developed by Story Homes.

Back in January, councillors moved to defer their decision on an application for the creation of 722 new homes on land between Wigton Road, Peter Lane and Dalston Road. The application, submitted in 2021, is currently 'awaiting decision'.

On August 30, Cumberland Council's planning committee was also due to decide on plans to bring 112 homes to Scotby. The decision was deferred due to a question over hedgerow boundaries.

Further afield and more recently, Citadel Homes submitted an application for 42 bungalows in Little Corby. 

How Harraby has developed over the last 20 years:

“Developers right across the country are currently allowed to prioritise profits over the well-being of our communities and this needs to stop," said Mr Hawkton.

“Our existing infrastructure is already strained, with services struggling to cope with demands. Yet, the concerns of local residents over services are simply going ignored."

One recent controversial development has been the 163 homes plan for Houghton. 

A community-led action group, Stop Gleeson Homes @Houghton, made headlines recently by raising more than £2,500 to hire a planning consultant to champion their cause against the Gleeson Homes development at Brunstock Lane, Houghton. 

The group remains hopeful it will be able to stop the developer in its tracks. 

Back in December, the former Carlisle City Council also approved plans for 157 'high-specification' homes to be built on land near Cumberland House Clinic, west of Cumwhinton Drive.

“As Carlisle extends further and further into our surrounding green spaces there also is a real risk of neglecting parts of the inner city, which still grapples with a significant number of empty homes," added Mr Hawkton.

"Much more needs to be done to incentivise renovation and improvement of existing buildings to reduce the environmental impact of new housing developments."