Plans to build 194 homes in Penrith, previously refused by the council, have been given the go-ahead after the developer increased the number of affordable homes on the site.
Members of the strategic planning committee of Westmorland and Furness Council unanimously approved proposals from Story Homes to build the homes on land between Inglewood Road and Centurion Rise.
It comes after the committee had deferred the proposals in March and then rejected the plans in May, voting in favour of a proposal that stated the proposed development does not provide ‘sufficient affordable housing’ and does not provide for the provision of community facilities.
However, the application came back to the committee after the developer increased the number of affordable homes on the site from 15 per cent to 20 per cent, meaning there will be 39 affordable homes.
The amended scheme involves the removal of the previously proposed £884,000 set aside for education contributions and instead the funds will be used for the delivery of affordable housing.
The developer has increased the number of properties for social/affordable rent from nine in the previously refused scheme to 19 housing units.
Senior land and planning manager for Story Homes Adam McNally said the developer had worked with the council to ensure those homes were ‘genuinely affordable’.
Mr McNally added: “We’ve had positive conversations with local housing providers who are very keen on acquiring our rental units, they will go to local people.”
The applicants have also proposed a contribution of £30,000 towards offsite improvements to the adjacent Fairhill playing fields which can be used for the provision of new play equipment or improvements to the wider sports fields.
Speaking in favour of the proposals, Councillor Patricia Bell (Penrith North, Lib Dems) told the committee the proposed development would provide a good supply of desirable housing.
Cllr Bell said: “I believe this proposal represents a well-balanced and necessary development.
“Very necessary because Eden has one of the fastest ageing populations, so it’s no surprise the census figures from 2011 to 2021 show there’s been a fall in the number of people in employment and unemployment figures are low.
“The bottom line is we do not have enough working age people, doctors, teachers, carers, skilled engineers to name just a few shortages.
“Developments like Centurion phase two offering affordable to marketed housing to meet those local needs and to attract working age people to come to Penrith are going to be going to be equally important if our communities are going to be sustainable in the future.”
The site is 9.3 hectares in size and planning documents propose two access points, one from the south through the existing Centurion Drive development off Salkeld Road and the other directly onto Inglewood Road.
Members of the strategic planning committee approved the amended application today, July 10, at the County Hall in Kendal.
