By Ian Duncan

Published at 11:43, Monday, 11 March 2013

Decisions on two separate plans to build 76 new homes in Scotby have been delayed so councillors can find out more about them.

Members of Carlisle City Council’s development control panel have raised a number of concerns about the proposed schemes.

Story Homes wants to build 45 homes on land at the back of Scotby Green Steading

Simtor Limited, meanwhile, wants to build 31 properties at Broomfallen Road.

Both applications had been recommended for approval by council planners.

But a number of concerns were raised by councillors, including highways issues, that they felt the decision should be deferred until expert advice could be sought.

Speaking against the Scotby Green Standing application, local resident John Morris said it was inconsistent with agreed planning policy, and added: “There’s no need for more housing in Scotby.”

And fellow resident Rod Peyton added that it was unsuitable for a rural village, saying: “This is the wrong development, in the wrong place, at the wrong time.”

On behalf of Story’s, Rachel Lightfoot said there was a good supply of services in the village, including a school and shops.

She said: “The site is well related to the village.”

Committee chairman Charles Scarborough said he had great concerns over the proposed narrowing of a footpath and added that independent advice was needed.

When considering the Broomfallen Road application, members were told that 80 residents attended a meeting and only one local was in favour of the plan.

Councillor Ray Bloxham said that the entrance to the development should be redesigned so that it did not interfere with the operation of a farm directly opposite and suggested that the project was out of character with the village.

Members of the committee voted that both schemes be deferred so they could seek expert advice.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk