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Controversial plans for 129 new homes in fields near Torrisholme could get green light

An example of an Oakmere Homes development

Plans to build 129 new homes in fields next to a residential area of Torrisholme could get the go-ahead.

Lancaster City Council planning officers have recommended that the Oakmere Homes scheme on land close to Fulwood Drive should be approved.

There have been numerous objections to the new housing from residents, as well as from local parish councils.

The city council's planning regulatory committee, made up of a group of elected councillors, will meet to have the final say on the planning application.

Oakmere Homes have asked for outline permission to build 129 new homes and new access to the proposed housing from Fulwood Drive and nearby Williams Avenue.

The land is close to the gardens of existing bungalows on Fulwood Drive, Williams Avenue and Hamilton Road, and is also near the railway line and Torrisholme Barrow.

The scheme was originally for 140 homes, but this has been reduced "to address issues that have arisen during the course of the application", says a council report.

Residents have complained about a range of issues in the 127 objections received by the council, including increased traffic and longer queues at the nearby Bare Lane level crossing, increased flood risk, the impact on the view from Torrisholme Barrow, increased noise including during construction, the need for more bungalows rather than family houses as the site is unsuited to families being next to a large area of bungalows and retired people, the potential impact on newts and frogs as well as deer, foxes and heron which are seen on or near the site and the impact on the railway line.

One resident contacted the council supporting the scheme, saying housing was much-needed in the area.

There were also objections from Slyne-with-Hest Parish Council and Morecambe Town Council.

Planners have recommended the scheme should be approved subject to a legal agreement with the developer to ensure a minimum of 27 per cent affordable housing, a financial contribution for open space, a travel plan contribution of £6000 and other conditions.

A Lancaster City Council planning report says: "The southern corner of the site is located approximately 300 metres from the Scheduled Monument known as Torrisholme Barrow, which is a Bronze Age bowl barrow. A bowl barrow is an inverted pudding bowl-shaped mound and Scheduled Monuments are nationally important archaeological sites.

"The proposal has the potential to impact on archaeology that may be present within the site and also the setting of the designated heritage asset. Two pieces of cast bronze, thought to also date to the Bronze Age, were found by a metal detectorist less than 200 metres to the south of the application site, and the 1846 Plan of the Township of Slyne with Hest is thought to possibly record the presence of a standing stone in the southern part of the application site."

The report also says: "The scheme would provide 129 new dwellings, with a minimum of 27 per cent as affordable units.

"The layout, scale and design of the dwellings is not known at this stage, but it is considered the number of dwellings proposed could be adequately accommodated and achieve an appropriate development in keeping with the character of the area, without having a detrimental impact on highway safety, residential amenity and flood risk and will also provide a biodiversity net gain. 

"It is considered that the development will cause harm to the significance of Torrisholme Barrow Scheduled Monument, through development within its setting

"Whilst the development is considered to cause less than substantial harm to the setting of designated heritage assets, it is considered that this is outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme and would therefore not provide a clear reason to refuse permission. It therefore needs to be considered whether the adverse impacts outlined would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.

"The delivery of housing, and at least 27 per cent affordable housing provision, although slightly lower than required by policy, weighs strongly in favour of the proposal."

The planning meeting takes place on Monday April 24 at Morecambe Town Hall at 10.30am, and is open to the public.

 

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