Private housing development at Former Fire Headquarters, Station Road, Cockermouth

“Members resolved to approve the application at the planning committee on 27 September 2023 subject to planning conditions and a s106 agreement. After this decision was made, and prior to the grant of permission, it came to Officers attention that the Ecological Report and Red Squirrel report were not carried out in 2023 as submitted by the applicant and were actually an out of date survey from a 2018 application and for a 2019 planning application that was withdrawn.”

“As the previous decision had been made on inaccurate information the application was brought back to Committee on 13 March 2024. As above the previous officer report and minutes from the March 2024 committee are attached for Members reference.”

“An independent red squirrel survey report was undertaken on behalf of the Council in April 2025. Further updated ecological assessments have also been provided by the applicant since the March 2024 committee, and these, along with other matters composing a full ecological assessment have been thoroughly reviewed by the Council’s Ecologist. At a later…”

“The main point of scrutiny at the March 2024 Planning Committee related to the red squirrel report. The Council has now obtained an independent red squirrel survey report which has been reviewed by the Council’s Ecologist. Other ecological assessments and updated reports have also been thoroughly reviewed by the Council’s Ecologist, which is standard practice for development applications which present ecological issues.”

“Following the Planning Committee of 13 March 2024, Officers sought to obtain a full independent ecological assessment to be carried out. However, due to the time of year, which dictates when many of the assessments can be carried out, and the lack of capacity in the marketplace for ecologists, it was considered prudent, given the red squirrel reporting was the point of scrutiny for the development and not other ecological receptors, to commission an independent red…”

“Officers have considered that in order to allow Members to make an informed decision, about whether to amend the resolution or not, it is appropriate to review the deferral reason stated at the March 2024 Planning Committee meeting requiring a full independent ecological assessment and whether this should be amended. The options are set out below for Members consideration.”

“A Member asked the Officer to explain the consequences i.e the costs. In response, the Senior Planning Officer advised Members that the cost of a red squirrel survey was £8,000 and a full ecological assessment would be approximately £44,000.”

“Following consideration of the resolution a Member moved to accept the Officer’s recommendation, this was seconded.”

“A vote was taken: 5 voted in favour, 1 against and 1 abstention…”

“RESOLVED – That the deferral reason be amended to, that the application had been deferred in order for an independent red squirrel survey report to be undertaken, with a thorough review of other matters relating to a full ecological assessment, and the submitted updated assessments, to be carried out by the Council’s Ecologist.”