PLANS for four new detached homes in the Carlisle area have been deferred by councillors so that the applicant can present a more suitable proposal.

Members of Cumberland Council's planning committee met at the Civic Centre in Carlisle on Wednesday (September 4) to consider the application for a site within the grounds of Marsh House in Station Road, Burgh By Sands.

The development would involve the closure of an existing access and the creation of a new entrance and the applicant was hoping renovate Marsh House as well as removing some dilapidated outbuildings.

However, the matter was put before the committee because councillor Trevor Allison (Dalston and Burgh, Conservative) requested that it should be determined by members due to the previous planning history and the level of local interest.

Officers recommended that planning permission be refused and, according to a planning report, Marsh House is a period dwelling located on the southern side of West End to the immediate west of the junction with Station Road.

According to the planning report Marsh House has been unoccupied for a number of years and is currently in a poor state of repair.

Planning officer Stephen Daniel told members that, since the planning report was written, the total letters of objection had risen to seven, there were five letters of support and he added that the proposal was considered to be overdevelopment as it was cramped.

David Jackson opposed the scheme and said there were issues with drainage, tree preservation and the protection of Marsh House.

Cllr Allison said two previous planning applications had been refused but he urged members to grant permission to help preserve the building.

John Kelso, the applicant's agent, said the last application had been refused on three grounds which had been addressed and he highlighted a similar development at Buck Bottom Farm which was granted planning permission by the former Carlisle City Council.

He said: "I don't feel anybody would feel it’s particularly cramped."

Mr Daniel said that the density of the development was constrained by the number of trees and added: "Two houses at the front is probably too much, maybe one at the front and one at the back?"

Councillor Chris Southward (Denton Holme, Labour) said he heard the plea from Cllr Allison to preserve Marsh House and he wondered if that work could be completed before any new homes were built at the site?

Councillor Bob Kelly (Millom, Labour) said the area had been neglected and he added: "I can see the danger of not developing it."

He said that the way forward was to defer the application so it could be revised and added: "I can't support it as it stands but I can't support throwing it out."

His proposal to defer the application was seconded and, when it was put to the vote, it was unanimously supported by the committee.

Planning officers will now work with the developer to devise a more acceptable proposal for the site.