Gleeson are forging ahead with their proposal for a huge housing estate off Woodville Way and Ruskin Close.
Despite widespread opposition, and the fact that the application does not conform to the planning policy framework, they’re progressing 79 of the original 99 houses.
They admit that it does not fit within the Local Plan, which means that residents will not properly have had their say. The application is designed to circumnavigate the rules.
Councillor Paul Larkin has been leading the charge against the proposals from the start. He has been clear that Cumberland Council have not sought to make this development sustainable, even if it had been acceptable in accordance with the Local Plan. Their predecessor county council failed to secure infrastructure developments, necessary traffic improvements, and school places with every previous development.
At the end of 2022 Mark Jenkinson MP held a public meeting with dozens of residents. He made representations to the Planning Committee on this proposal, being clear that it does not meet planning rules. He has also made representations on similar proposals previously, primarily on the need to secure additional infrastructure and school places to make development sustainable. Mark has been clear - he is pro-housebuilding, but residents must have their say. That is how the Local Plan and housing land supply systems are designed to work. To date, despite speaking on behalf of many residents, Gleeson have not reached out to the local Member of Parliament to attempt to address any concerns.
To some developers, local residents are not to be heard.
Labour are in the pocket of large house builders - after Labour took control of Cumberland Council, the Chief Executive of Story Homes bunged them £100,000. Is that why our Cumberland Labour Councillors are nowhere to be seen?
This is the wrong development wrong place - and at least until the land has been through the consultation system properly, it should not be developed.
SIGN MY PETITION 👇
But don’t forget to object on the council website too, by clicking here.