By Steph Johnson

Last updated 10:12, Saturday, 19 July 2008

Fresh plans have been revealed to build 700 homes, a supermarket and a business park on the edge of Carlisle.

New plans for Morton

Developers revealed the blueprint to transform land opposite the Pirelli tyre factory, off Dalston Road, during a public exhibition at Morton Community Centre.

Proposals for the scheme were first announced 10 years ago but were left in limbo because of delays in obtaining government approval for Carlisle City Council’s local development plan.

But there is renewed confidence that the project will go ahead this time after a planning inspector ruled in March that the estate was the only feasible way of meeting the city’s future housing needs.

The original designs have been altered to take into account new housing and environmental legislation.

Plans for a primary school have also been scrapped as developers changed the style of the scheme. Street plans have been redrawn to create a more traditional layout and the location of open spaces and play areas have been shifted following feedback from the last consultation.

Most of the site is owned by the Church Commissioners for England, which will request outline planning permission for the development in September.

If granted, the land will be sold on – although it will not be put on the market until conditions in the housing industry improve.

Steve Melligan, the commissioners’ head of planning and development, said it will be at least 2010 before construction begins.

The majority of the 700 homes will be a mixture of three-storey town houses, terraces, semi-detached and detached houses.

The aim is to create family homes but a small number of flats will also be built.

Mr Melligan believes the delay has actually proved advantageous because the initial proposals have been improved.

He said: “It will be of a far higher quality in terms of design. We don’t want another bland housing estate. We want something that the city can be proud of.”

The site is likely to be split between a number of developers in order to create a varied scheme.

The big questions at the consultation event related to traffic.

Stuart Lorimer, 57, of Langrigg Road said the roads may be too narrow.

He said: “Wider roads mean less congestion and less emissions.

“I have no problem with the idea of the development – we need the extra houses – but not at the expense of our health or the environment.”

Adrian Lester, of Green Issues, the firm running the consultation, said all concerns will be taken into account when detailed plans are drawn up.

Once plans are submitted there will be a 16-week public consultation period.

The planning committee is expected to reach a decision on whether to approve the project early next year.