PLANS for 112 new homes in Scotby, 30 per cent of which would be classed as affordable, have been approved following a vote with a number of abstentions by councillors.

The application was for land to the south of the A69, off Scotby Road, and it was recommended for approval subject to a number of conditions.

Members of Cumberland Council’s planning committee considered the application at a meeting in the Civic Centre in Carlisle on Wednesday (June 5).

Resident Jill Burns told members that the 'whole village objected' to the proposal and it was originally refused by the planning committee of the former Carlisle City Council six years ago.

She said: "It was a poor application, but this one is much worse."

She said that the site was in open countryside and she predicted that the village would be 'swamped by over-development' if the 'uninspiring scheme' was approved.

Fellow resident Paul Kelly felt that buildings such as the three-storey townhouses should not be allowed as they 'weren't in keeping with the surroundings' and there would be a loss of privacy in neighbouring properties.

Councillor James White, from Wetheral parish council, said it represented an intrusion into Scotby, the local primary school was already oversubscribed and Scotby had neither a doctor nor a dentist.

Rachel Lightfoot, from applicant Story Homes, told members a previous boundary issue had been amended and the site had been allocated for 90 homes. She said: "We considered that the extra 22 units can be accommodated on the site. There are several areas of open space including at the entrance."

She said there would be a six-metre buffer zone between the site and neighbouring properties and it would create additions to local biodiversity.

Councillor Robert Betton (Botcherby, Independent Group) said he felt uncomfortable about a number of aspects of the application and added: "I don't have everything in front of me."

He questioned the boundary issue and added: "I would like to ask where the proof is because it's not in the report?"

Chris Hardman, the council's head of development management, said that the boundary was correct and added: "It has been confirmed that the land is owned by Story."

Councillor Andrew Semple (Cockermouth South, Labour) said that the site was allocated for housing in the local plan but he was concerned that Scotby Primary School was oversubscribed.

Mr Hardman said there were alternative choices at other schools in the area and the Scotby school could not be developed because the site was 'constrained'.

Councillor Roger Dobson (Corby and Hayton, Lib Dems) said he was pleased that the entrance had been moved further away from the A69 and he asked what the policy regarding the speed limit near to new developments and highways officer Pieter Barnard said that all developments should be designed with a 20mph limit.

Cllr Betton proposed that they reject the application because of issues including the boundary and drainage as well as biodiversity and ecology reasons, however there was no seconder, so the motion failed.

Councillor Jimmy Grisdale (Seaton, Labour) proposed that they accept the recommendation to approve, subject to conditions outlined in the report and he was seconded by Cllr Dobson who was acting as committee chairman.

However, when the matter was put to the vote there were three votes in favour, one against and the rest of the committee abstained.

Permission will only be granted as long as the developer agrees:

  • that 30 percent of the properties are affordable;
  • to the management/maintenance of open space;
  • payment of £38,133.08 towards provision and maintenance of off-site sports pitches;
  • payment of £65,455.51 for off-site open space provision;
  • payment of £43,056.27 for off-site play provision;
  • a payment of £199,122 towards primary education;
  • payment of £6,600 for monitoring of the travel plan;
  • payment of £6,000 for the traffic regulation order;
  • and a nutrient mitigation scheme.

Speaking after the decision David Hayward, land manager for Story Homes in Cumbria & Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have been granted planning permission to deliver 112 new homes in Scotby.

"Our scheme has been carefully designed to provide an appropriate extension to the village of Scotby and will deliver a range of two to five-bedroom modern, family homes centred around flexible living.

“The scheme will also provide a number of benefits to the local community, such as the provision of 33 much needed new affordable homes for local people with differing requirements, attractive street scenes, biodiversity gains and areas of new open space.

"We look forward to works beginning on site for this exciting new development.”