Up to 180 homes at Garlands Road, Carlisle

What was proposed

Outline permission was sought for up to 180 homes, with access considered now and layout, scale, appearance and landscaping reserved for later.

“The application seeks outline planning permission for residential development of the site, up to 180 dwellings, with all matters reserved (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) except access.”

“Although appearance, landscaping, layout and scale are reserved for subsequent approval the illustrative master plan illustrates one way in which the development could come forward. The indicative plan illustrates the provision of 180 dwellings with a main vehicular access from Cumwhinton Road and a secondary access from Garlands Road.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 7.52-hectare greenfield site is bounded by roads, playing fields, hedgerows and existing homes, and lies within the Carleton area of the Garden Village.

“The application site, known locally as Bob Bell's Field, comprises 7.52 hectares of greenfield land situated at the corner of Garlands Road and Cumwhinton Road, within the urban fringes of Carlisle. The site is bounded by Garlands Road to the west, Creighton Rugby Club and playing fields to the north and east, and Cumwhinton Road to the south.”

“The site lies within the area designated as St Cuthbert’s Garden Village, specifically under the N7: Carleton designation.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the site is allocated for housing and the identified planning matters could be resolved through conditions and a legal agreement.

“The above planning appraisal identifies a range of topics which required further consideration in the light of the acceptable planning principle. All have been found either to be resolved within the application, or resolvable through planning conditions and a Section 106 legal agreement.”

“The applicants are aware of the likely heads of terms for the legal agreement and will have had the opportunity to review the proposed planning conditions in advance of the planning committee. The conditions seek to respond to outstanding matters identified by consultees and ongoing or pre-commencement items required to make the application fully acceptable.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, flood, environmental, housing, archaeology, sport and other consultees raised no objection subject to specified contributions, conditions or further details.

“Cumberland Council - (Highways & Lead Local Flood Authority): - 10.6.25: Highways: no objection subject to (i) provision of increased 30mph speed limit area along Cumwhinton Road (ii) gateway traffic calming feature to be provided at the new speed limit threshold location (iii) upgrading of footway along Garlands Rd & Cumwhinton Rd (to shared cycle/pedestrian usage) (iv) contributions to 'Carlisle 5' (v) improvement of user safety at the Cumwhinton Road/Garlands Road…”

“Cumberland Council - (Highways & Lead Local Flood Authority): - 24.2.26: Highways: acknowledges submission of Transport Assessment addendum and range of matters covered within; sets out recommended contributions towards (i) monitoring of the Travel Plan; and (ii) implementation of highway safety works on Cumwhinton Road.”

Officer report

What residents said

Four letters objected and one commented, raising concerns about traffic, drainage, schools, access, parking, amenity, open space, biodiversity, scale and design.

“(i) local road network unable to cope with increase in volume of traffic - existing situation already giving rise to road safety concerns; (ii) decision to approve would pre-empt outcome of St Cuthbert's Garden Village Consultation; (iii) not clear how proposals lead to improved walking and cycling in the locality; (iv) concern about stated connectivity with nearby shops - not as positive as application suggests; inadequate services and shops in the locality to serve…”

“(xiii) proposals represent overdevelopment of the site due to scale, density and footprint of development; (xiv) proposals would lead to loss of land currently acting as informal open space, buffer between developments and area supporting biodiversity; (xv) site accesses insufficient to accommodate development of this scale; (xvi) knock-on effects of inadequate parking proposed within the development (on-street parking elsewhere); (xvii) impact of construction works on local…”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector’s letter was read out, a parish councillor raised issues without objecting, and the agent spoke in support.

What members discussed

Members discussed grit bins and traffic calming, with officers explaining how these could be addressed through later applications, highways work and an amended condition.

“A Member noted the concerns from the Parish Council within the report highlighting the request for the installation of grit bins and the need for traffic calming measures. In response the Senior Planning Officer advised Members that the request for grit bins had been acknowledged by the…”

Minutes

The vote

A motion to accept the officer recommendation with grit bins added to condition 15 was seconded and agreed unanimously.

“Following consideration of the application a Member moved to accept the Officer’s recommendation with the amendment to condition 15 to include grit bins, this was seconded.”

“A vote was taken and it was unanimously agreed.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to conditions, with delegated authority for amendments and agreement of the Section 106 legal agreement.

“RESOLVED – That the application be approved subject to the conditions set out below with delegated authority being given to the Service Manager for Development and Implementation to add to and/or make any amendments to the conditions as considered appropriate and delegated authority to agree the S106 legal agreement as per the recommendation.”

Minutes