115 new homes to be built east of Lancaster
Plans for more than 100 new homes east of Lancaster near the M6 have been given the green light for the second time.
Proposals by Bellway Homes for 116 new one and two-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom bungalows, and two, three and four-bedroom houses on farmland north of Quernmore Road were initially approved in February 2023 despite fears about the impact on local landmarks.
At the time, Lancaster Civic Society, South Lancaster Flood Action Group and Quernmore Parish Council had all raised concerns, including whether the site has been officially earmarked for housing in the council’s local plan, drainage, flooding downstream, road capacity and the impact of extra families on schools and doctors.
Conservation officers also highlighted concerns about the development’s visual impact.
Bellway later submitted a revised scheme for up to 125 houses, which was then reduced to 115.
The application was reported back to the planning committee this month given the passage of time and changes in policy, including the recent adoption of the Climate Emergency Review of the Local Plan, and also to consider the amended scheme for 115 homes, which was submitted in February.
Officers had recommended that planning permission be granted following the satisfactory completion of a legal agreement within three months of the committee meeting, and subject to conditions, which include provision of 30% affordable housing, a Highway Infrastructure Contribution to the sum of £229,420 towards the Pointer roundabout and the city centre gyratory system, a Travel Plan contribution to the sum of £6,000, provision of on-site open space and equipped play provision, and provision of off-site public open space contributions of £164,625.
"The development provides an appropriate mix of size and type of housing, including adaptable and accessible dwellings above that required of building regulation," a council report said.
"It is also considered that the proposal achieves an appropriate layout and design that responds well to its surroundings.
"It is considered that the development will cause harm to the significance of heritage assets, through development within their setting, however it is considered that this harm is outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme and has been mitigated, to some degree, by the amendments that have been made since the original submission.”
And on Monday, members of the planning committee gave the go-ahead to the scheme.