Council desires made clear for Barrow’s 800-home Marina Village
Westmorland and Furness Council has approved a supplementary planning document to guide development of the nearly 67-acre site.
The SPD will help speed up the planning process by setting clear requirements for affordable home provision, active travel plans, and public space for the dockside site.
All the properties under the SPD boundary are to be sustainable, energy-efficient, and gas-free.
When complete, it is hoped the development will provide neighbourhoods, a nature conservation area, and ample public space, as well as becoming a key part of supporting employment opportunities at BAE’s Barrow site.
Developers will also be expected to contribute to local education and healthcare services to address the population rise.
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Cllr Virginia Taylor, cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “It’s a privilege and a responsibility for us to guide the creation of a well-designed place with a real heart, where people can live good lives, bring up their families in safe, warm houses that don’t cost a fortune to run, and stay in their community as they grow older.”
“Unlocking this former industrial land and seeing it transformed into a thriving residential community in the centre of Barrow is one of the council’s biggest schemes and tremendously important for the town, Westmorland and Furness, and beyond.
“This SPD, informed by engagement with local people, is a vital part of ensuring it is developed in the best way possible for residents and the town.”
Redstart Northwest has started early remediation work on the site lying between Cavendish Dock and Salthouse Road, with support from almost £25m of Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land funding from Homes England.
Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet agreed at the same meeting that a ‘master developer model’ would be followed, meaning a single developer would take responsibility for initial planning, design, infrastructure delivery, and management of the site.
Cllr Judith Derbyshire, cabinet member for housing and community safety, added: “Securing a master developer will be a major step towards creating a neighbourhood and helping to create safe and fulfilling futures for hundreds of people of all ages in this great place.”
