New homes plan given green light despite fears for Lancaster landmarks and conservation area

Lancaster City Council’s planning committee approved the proposal for 116 homes for farmland north of Quernmore Road.

The project will see a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom bungalows and two, three and four-bedroom houses built, with 81 homes provided for private sale and 35 affordable homes available for local people through low-cost rent or shared ownership.

The new homes will be set alongside public open space including a play area and a footpath providing a circular walk around the development.

However, 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.

The site is close to the Forest of Bowland area of outstanding natural beauty, and planning policy says great weight should be given to landscapes and scenic beauty in areas of outstanding natural beauty including distant views of other locations.

The surrounding Lancaster Moor Conservation Area also has a number of important buildings and locations.

Close by are the former Lancaster Moor Hospital, which is Grade II listed and now contains residential apartments, as well as the Grade II listed Lancaster Cemetery which contains several individually listed structures, Grade II* listed Standen Park House, and there is also a recently designated conservation area covering the former hospital building and a wider area.

Grade II listed Williamson Park and the Grade I listed Ashton Memorial are also close to the site.

While modern developments such as the M6, the auction mart and housing at the former hospital have all changed the area, care has been taken to ensure that the rural character is retained through landscaping and the siting of this new development, planning officers say.

Any harm from the new homes should be weighed against the public benefits, the report said. The council currently has a significant under-supply of deliverable housing sites.

It was felt that whilst the development will result in the loss of open agricultural land, it would not be overly prominent within the landscape and would relate well with the existing residential development nearby.

Martyn Earle, Bellway strategic land director for the north, said: “We look forward to work starting at our new site off Quernmore Road once we have finalised the planning agreement for the development.

“Throughout the design process, we have prioritised creating a site that will seamlessly integrate with the area as a natural extension of Lancaster.

“To preserve the open nature and appearance of the development’s surroundings, we will provide thoughtfully designed and attractive homes of the highest quality alongside extensive landscaping.

“The range of high-quality house types available will pay homage to key designs already found in the area, including their use of stone, brick and render. All properties will have modern insulation and heating, as well as electric vehicle charging points.

“With sustainability also in mind outside the home, we aim to protect green space wherever possible – including existing trees and hedgerows. Likewise, we will enhance pedestrian and cycle routes and promote access to key public transport links.

“We are creating a green entrance to the development and a significant landscape buffer to further incorporate this new neighbourhood into the wider settlement.

“We have a proven track record of prioritising placemaking and encouraging growth to make a positive difference in communities.”