Controversial plans to build 129 new homes near historic Torrisholme Barrow which were rejected by Lancaster City Council and a government inspector on appeal are back on the table in a revised form.

Oakmere Homes have now submitted a planning application to Lancaster City Council which seeks outline planning permission for residential development of 110 dwellings and associated car parking, landscaping and public open space, with vehicular access from Fulwood Drive and all other matters reserved.

The scheme is expected to deliver a mix of housing types.

Of the 110 homes proposed, the majority would be market housing, with a proportion earmarked for affordable and social housing provision.

Oakmere Homes want to build 110 houses near Torrisholme Barrow.

placeholder image — Oakmere Homes want to build 110 houses near Torrisholme Barrow.

In May 2023, Oakmere Homes’ controversial plans to build 129 new homes close to Torrisholme Barrow were turned down by city councillors.

Then in July 2024, a government inspector dismissed an appeal from the developer to build 129 new homes near Torrisholme Barrow due to its historical importance.

A design and access statement said: “The previous application was refused for two principal reasons – failure to preserve the open nature of the Key Urban Landscape and harm to the significance and setting of the Torrisholme Bowl Barrow Scheduled Monument.

“The appeal decision confirmed that these issues are closely related, with the primary concern being the erosion of the Barrow’s open landscape setting.

A map of the area in question where Oakmere Homes want to build 110 homes.

“The Inspector also confirmed that a residential scheme could be achieved where it is well contained and does not extend closer to the Barrow than the existing settlement edge

“The site comprises two agricultural fields and forms part of the wider setting of Torrisholme Barrow.

“The Inspector’s 2024 decision concluded that the 129-unit scheme would cause less than substantial harm to the Barrow’s significance which was not outweighed by public benefits.

"The revised layout is the design response to this finding.”

Oakmere Homes have other housing developments in Lancashire.

Developer loses appeal to build 129 new homes in Morecambe overlooking historic ...

Planning documents concluded: “This proposal reduces the scale of development, limits the developable area to the contained northern part of the site, and retains and reinforces open land to the south."

Councillors have yet to make a decision on the application.

View the planning application reference number 26/00549/OUT at https://www.lancaster.gov.uk/planning/view-applications-and-decisions