Last updated at 19:43, Thursday, 07 June 2012

New plans including affordable homes are to be submitted for a large building plot in Cockermouth which has been the subject of fierce debate.

Washington Estates Limited, a subsidiary of Flimby-based Thomas Armstrong Limited, wants to build 88 homes – 25 per cent of which will be designated as affordable housing – on a former county council depot at Sullart Street.

The firm has bought the site from Gladman Developments, which had a scheme approved for 63 town houses and 38 flats, plus 55 apartments with care for the over-55s, despite a storm of protest.

Cockermouth Town Council had claimed Gladman’s plan would be an overdevelopment, unneighbourly and not address affordable housing needs.

Prior to that, Gladman Developments wanted to create 114 apartments for the elderly, 22 houses, 29 apartments and 21 affordable homes on the site.

That proposal was rejected in November 2010 by Allerdale councillors, who objected to its scale and said there should be more affordable housing for young people.

Announcing the new plan for the site, Barry Denham, director of Thomas Armstrong, said: “It is our intention, subject to the planning conditions, to develop the site with residential units, more in terms of the original outline planning permission granted for the site.

“We are in dialogue with the local authority with respect to conditions on that planning permission and will continue to do so over the next few months with a view to be able to commence works on the site in late 2012.”

He added: “The original outlined planning permission had no over-55s requirement. We do not at this time plan to go ahead with an over-55s scheme.”

Alan Smith, Cockermouth town councillor and leader of Allerdale council, said the town needed more affordable housing in order for it to grow and prosper.

He said it would encourage the younger generation to stay in the town.

He added: “It looks as though we’re going to get a common sense response to something which should have been done seven or eight years ago.

“I welcome the 25 per cent of affordable housing, which is a good move from the developer, because we’re in dire need of affordable housing in Cockermouth.

“This is the last brownfield site in the town and I think this development will help to regenerate that part of Cockermouth.

“It will also help to generate business for local businesses, suppliers and local construction workers.”

Gladman Developments declined to comment this week on why it had sold the site.

First published at 19:19, Thursday, 07 June 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk