A VERDICT will be given today on plans to build 14 homes in Moorhouse.

Carlisle City Council will be asked today by Citadel Estates to approve 14 dwellings for land at Monkhill Road.

Council officers have recommended the residential development is approved, providing that two of the homes are affordable housing.

Developers will be hoping to see their plans finally approved as they were first considered in July 2019 but members put off making a decision at the time as more information was needed on drainage and design.

At the time, Citadel Homes were applying for full planning permission to build 17 homes.

The developer revised the application to 14 dwellings in October 2020 and presented additional details to the council in May and June 2021.

Revised proposals seek full planning permission for 14 dwellings comprised of 12 bungalows and two semi-detached two-storey houses.

Plots 1, 2, 4, 5 and 10 will be detached bungalows with a lounge, dining room, sunroom, hall an ensuite bedroom and garage.

‘The Grizedale’ section of the development consists of plot six and seven, two storey semi-detached dwellings.

A report prepared for planning councillors said that the parish council, ward councillor and third parties have objected to the development based on proposals for the disposal of foul and surface water.

However, as statutory consultee on drainage, United Utilities has raised no objection. Cumbria County Council, as lead flood authority has asked for further details on how the developer will drain surface water.

A report prepared by council officers notes that the homes would "respond to housing needs" set out in the Strategic Housing Market Assessment.

They said that the proposed materials and scale of the homes, show respect for the appearance of the area and its existing housing.

Officers said: "Subject to satisfying pre-commencement conditions, the proposal will not have a detrimental impact on highway safety or archaeology.

"Pre-commencement conditions would also ensure that the proposed drainage methods to serve the development would not have a detrimental impact on existing foul and surface water drainage systems."

They added that the development would not have a detrimental impact on neighbouring properties given the proposed location.

This is a consideration as concerns have been raised about other larger residential developments that they would have an overbearing impact on existing properties in the area, particularly bungalows.