CONTROVERSIAL plans to bring 101 homes to Stanwix could be refused as of next week. 

Plans for Castles and Coasts to build the new, largely 'affordable', homes on land to the east of Lansdowne Close, Carlisle, have been under consideration since it was first put forward to the former council two years ago - with amendments being made to the original application along the way. 

Initial plans sought to address the shortage of affordable homes in Carlisle.  

86 homes of the 101 proposed have been categorised as 'affordable housing', with the scheme itself consisting of 2, 3, and 4-bed units and 14 two-bed bungalows. 

The development would be served by a new access road that would be a continuation of Raisebeck Close. 

The decision will be put forward to Cumberland Council's planning committee next Wednesday, June 5. 

Planning officers have recommended the plans be refused under environmental grounds, specifically the adverse impact on protected trees and the River Eden Special Area of Conservation.

"The council's tree consultant has consistently raised concerns about the proximity of the proposed dwellings to the retained trees (protected trees and veteran trees), which would have a detrimental impact upon them by risking the long-term health and survival prospects of the trees especially due to the retaining walls and pruning roots," the report reads. 

"The development would give rise to additional nutrients entering into the existing catchment by virtue of the foul drainage discharging to the mains which eventually ends up in the River Eden (SAC) after effluent treatment at Willowholme Wastewater Treatment Works.

"In the absence of any detailed scheme to mitigate the additional nutrient loading into the River Eden SAC which has been deemed unfavourable/at risk by Natural England from elevated nutrient levels, particularly as a result of phosphorous levels, the scheme as submitted is not acceptable as the council cannot conclude that the development would be nutrient neutral with no adverse effects on the integrity of the River Eden," it reads. 

In response to the initial consultation, 496 objections and 2 letters of support were received.

Since then, objections have grown to over 1,000 on Cumberland Council's planning portal. 

Residents have argued potential issues with flooding, health care provision, and the lack of S106 contributions particularly towards education. 

Lib Dem parliamentary candidate and ward councillor, Brian Wernham, has previously campaigned against the potential build. 

"I fully expect this to be rejected, I will be speaking against it for all the reasons the planning officer has correctly listed, and there are even more. 

"What I would like is for Cumberland Council to buy the two meadows and have it rewilded as a wildlife park. 

"I want to see a net biodiversity gain around our areas, not more concrete," he said.