Green light tipped for Morecambe homes

Plans for a residential scheme in Morecambe, which comprises more than 100 homes, look set for approval when they go back before committee later this month.Oakmere Homes (North West) is seeking outline planning permission to construct 129 dwellings on land to the east of Fulwood Drive in Morecambe.The application went before committee last month, but was deferred to allow for the investigation of an alternative access road onto the site to mitigate the impact of construction traffic.The homes will be mix of one and two-bedroom terraced houses and apartments, alongside three, four and five-bedroom semi-detached and detached family homes set on larger plots. Affordable housing provision is also planned.The scheme has undergone a number of iterations since first being submitted, originally comprising 140 homes.This was, however, reduced to address a number of issues that arose, including 127 objections.Following the reduction in the number of units, the application was re-advertised and an additional 30 objections were returned.Despite this, a report, which will go before Lancaster City Council Planning Regulatory Committee on Tuesday 30 May, noted that the scheme would increase household spending and support local businesses and facilities.It added that revenue would be generated through council tax revenue and supply chain jobs.The report concluded: “In terms of the balance to take in determining the planning application, whist the development is considered to cause less than substantial harm to the setting of designated heritage assets, it is considered that this is outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme and would therefore not provide a clear reason to refuse permission.”The delivery of housing, and at least 27 per cent affordable housing provision, although slightly lower than required by policy, weighs strongly in favour of the proposal.”Given the significant undersupply of housing within the District, it is considered that the benefits of the proposal do outweigh the harm caused through the loss of this part of the area designated as key urban landscape, the impacts on the setting of the heritage assets and the location within the open countryside.”The application will go before committee with the recommendation for approval.