Secretary of State to review 180 home Yearl Rise approval
Michael Gove has asked Cumberland Council to put a pause on the Story Homes development after it was referred to his office by Workington MP Mark Jenkinson.
Cumberland’s planning committee approved the Seaton Road development last month, but it could yet be called in by the Secretary of State.
A mix of 12 two-bed, 50 three-bed, 96 four-bed, 14 five-bed, and eight six-bed homes is planned.
These would be spread across nine bungalows, nine mews/terrace dwellings, 66 semi-detached houses, and 96 detached properties.
Of those homes, 10 per cent are to be classed as affordable due to the viability of the site, which is something the MP wishes to contend.
In a social media post, Jenkinson explained that his objection stems from what he believes is a lack of Section 106 agreements included in the approval, that the scheme falls short on affordable housing, and is contrary to the local plan.
He said: “A full call-in is a high bar though, so we need to watch what happens.
“The principle of development on this site was agreed a couple of years ago without much objection. It is the lack of S106 contribution to schools, roads, and affordable housing that bothers me.
“I asked the Secretary of State to call in the application because it does not align with the local plan or the National Planning Policy Framework.”
A Cumberland Council spokesperson said: “The application was debated and approved at a recent planning committee.
“Conditions and legal agreement were included with the approval including the provision of affordable homes, public open space, and travel plan monitoring.
“As the decision is now subject to further scrutiny, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”
A spokesperson for Story Homes also said the developer had nothing to add.
Urban Green, Eddisons, Coopers, Roger Hannah, Enzygo, and ID GeoEnvironmental are on the project team.
To view the plans, search for reference number FUL/2022/0285 on Cumberland Council’ planning portal.
A Conservative MP wants his Secretary of State to investigate why his own parties economic mismanagement means that development of 180 dwellings in one of the lowest value areas of the country cannot magic up a solution to all of society’s ills.
By UnaPlanner
On top of the all the other challenges for housing development in Cumbria, this delay by an MP concerned about the optics is a disgrace. I hope that all of those in need of housing in Workington remember at the ballot box later this year, that it’s their MP that has stalled this development.
By Anonymous
What a housing development proposed on an allocated housing site! No capacity issues in schools identified by the education department so contrary to planning law to require contributions. Viability seems to have determined the contributions in line with national policy. A typical MP challenging locally what his own government wants in the way of more housing.
By Informed planner
What ugly boring & predicable old fashioned architecture, zzzz
By GetItBuilt!
I agree with the comment above. What ugly boring little boxes popping up like mushrooms all over Britain. Architects need to design houses that are better designed, more esthetically pleasing.
By John