Plan to build 50 homes in West Cumbrian village
Last updated at 12:30, Friday, 31 August 2012
Plans for 50 new homes in Brigham have been revealed.
The estate would be built on the site of the former Kirkcross Quarry by Kirkcross Developments.
It includes 20 “affordable” homes and comes two years after the firm secured planning permission for 35 holiday lodges on the site.
Co-director Mark Walker told Brigham Parish Council on Tuesday that attempts to market the holiday lodge site over the last 18 months had been fruitless.
He added: “There’s no longer a market for this type of development.”
Now, he said, the firm wants to build houses on 5.5 acres of the eight-acre site, along with a children’s play area.
Some of the affordable homes would be for sale and others for social rent and available to meet local need first, Mr Walker said.
The pond at the site would be transferred for a fishing club to run as under the previous plans, he added.
The firm, whose other directors are Nick Bailey, of Cockermouth, and Steve Gibson, formerly of Brigham but now of Cockermouth, intends to apply for outline planning permission next month.
Residents raised concerns that the development would increase problems with water run-off from the pond, but Mr Bailey said the drainage system proposed would improve the situation.
Mr Walker said the development would be a positive move for the village.
He added: “We are going to have 50 households who would choose to invest their money and their time in the facilities of the village – the school, the church, the shop.”
But one resident said: “We are just about up to our necks now with building and planning applications. It’s just one after another.”
County council leader Eddie Martin warned that without new developments villages would die.
Brian Earley, parish council chairman, suggested a consultation day should be held once the planning application had been submitted.
He said it would allow residents’ views to be gathered before making a recommendation to Allerdale council about whether permission should be granted.
Coun Earley told the meeting there were currently 400 houses in the village.
The number of homes has been increased by the conversion of the former police headquarters into 10 flats.
Social landlord Home Group is also planning 35 affordable homes behind High Brigham.
First published at 11:54, Friday, 31 August 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk
The entrance to the quarry site is an accident black spot already....the road is barely wide enough for 2 cars as it is and with no where possible way to widen it I cant see how the current quarry entrance could possibly be used. Couple this with the sharp bend at the top and it would just be completely unrealistic and dangerous. lets hope the planners see sense if any app for homes on this site ever materialises !
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I think it is excellent that 50 new homes are being built on the Kirkcross site, there is a genuine need for affordable housing everywhere, all the negative comments are "scare mongering",the village cant be in recession anymore than it already is, no pubs etc,the build at the other end of the village is also excellent, dont see anyone complaining about the houses being built up Hotchberry Road.Young local people need somewhere to live,its ok bleating when you are sitting pretty at retirement age, whith nothing else to do but "twine",and i can tell you now these are the sentiments of lots of Brigham residents,we are not all in denial of the needs!therefore may both developments be successfull, if they are already not!.
Posted by Ant on 7 November 2012 at 16:00