155-home development at Land at Cross-a-Moor, Swarthmoor, Ulverston

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing Charnwood and its outbuildings to build 155 homes, roads, paths, parking, landscaping, infrastructure and access from Cross-a-Moor.

“Planning Application Reference No. 2025/0107/FPA Proposal: Full planning application for the demolition of an existing house (Charnwood) and associated outbuildings and the erection of 155 dwellings with associated roads, footpaths, car parking, landscaping, infrastructure, and access to be taken from Cross-a-Moor, Swarthmoor. Location: Land at Cross-a-Moor, Swarthmoor, Ulverston, LA12 0RT Applicant: [the applicant], Story Homes.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The site covered agricultural fields beside the A590, included Charnwood, was mostly allocated for housing, and had an earlier 141-home application that did not progress.

“SITE DESCRIPTION 4.1 The application site is located to the north-west of Swarthmoor and adjoins the A590 Ulverston Road which forms the south-eastern boundary of the site. The site is approximately 6.85 hectares (16.92 acres) in area and principally consists of several fields in agricultural use. It is relatively flat, but generally slopes downwards from west to east. The site includes the property known as ‘Charnwood’ in the south-western corner of the site.”

“The site is bounded by open countryside to the north and residential dwellings to the north-east and east. To the south are the houses on Cross-a-Moor, a boundary hedgerow and beyond that the A590. To the west is Pennington Memorial Hall and children’s nursery and an open pasture. The majority of the site falls within the land allocation for residential development, under Policy LA1.3 of the Land Allocations DPD.”

Officer report

What officers advised

Officers considered the development acceptable and recommended approval because it met planning policies, subject to a legal agreement for 35% affordable housing and conditions.

“SUMMARY 1.1 Full planning permission is sought for the demolition of an existing house (Charnwood) and erection of 155 dwellings with associated infrastructure, and access to be taken from Cross-a-Moor, Swarthmoor on Land at Cross-a-Moor, Swarthmoor. It is considered that the proposed development would be acceptable in principle and would not result in a detrimental impact on visual or residential amenity, access and parking, biodiversity or flood risk.”

Officer report

What people raised

The parish council and neighbouring occupiers objected over traffic, access, drainage, infrastructure, landscape, privacy, flooding, archaeology, wildlife, services and construction impacts.

“Loss of privacy/overshadowing/loss of light in relation to existing houses adjacent to the site • Pennington is a rural parish and the proposed development is not in keeping with this • The taking of agricultural land for development directly contradicts Westmorland and Furness Council’s Climate Action Plan • The affordable housing definitely being provided • There is no documented evidence that CIL funding relating to these developments has been used to improve the…”

“A total of 69 letters were received from neighbouring occupiers. 59 of these raised objections, 9 made comments and 1 was in support. The concerns/comments made can be summarised as follows: - Existing traffic congestion in the area, including on Pennington Lane, is significant and a hazard, particularly during term time during school drop-off and pick-up times when parents park all the way down Pennington Lane - The proposal will introduce even more traffic onto local roads…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent speaking for Story Homes supported the scheme, highlighting affordable homes, housing need, sustainable access, landscaping, biodiversity and the benefits of development.

What members discussed

Members discussed other applications, access arrangements, housing mix, the roundabout contribution, education places, footpaths, hedge maintenance and construction hours.

“Cllr Hughes asked about the mix of housing and whether the applicants had used the Strategic Housing and Economic Needs Assessment (SHENA) when taking the decision on the housing mix. She also asked why there was a need for a developer contribution towards the roundabout, as this was already ‘in situ’. She wondered whether the developer contribution could be used elsewhere, such as education .”

“With regard to the financial contribution to the Cross-a-Moor roundabout, it was explained that various developments in the area have been historically expected to contribute to the roundabout as they come forward despite the roundabout already being constructed…”

Minutes

The vote

The amended recommendation was moved, seconded and approved unanimously.

“Cllr Hughes asked for clarification on what the hours of construction on the site would be and the officer confirmed that conditions 15 and 16 would govern these.”

“Cllr Cassidy then moved the amended recommendation and this was seconded by Cllr Audland and put to a unanimous vote.”

Minutes

The committee decision

Planning permission was granted subject to a legal agreement for 35% affordable housing, a Cross-a-Moor roundabout contribution and amended conditions.

“RESOLVED, that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the completion of a S106 agreement for the provision of 35 % affordable housing, and a financial contribution towards the construction of Cross-a-Moor roundabout (such sum to be agreed by the Head of Development Management) and the amended conditions :.”

Minutes