A developer has launched an appeal as a row over plans to build 110 homes in Lancaster continues.
Oakmere Homes has appealed to the government over their planned scheme on 4.2 hectares of land near Newlands Road in Lancaster - close to Williamson Park and Lancaster Leisure Park.
The planning inspectorate is expected to consider the appeal later this year.
In the meantime, Lancaster City Council has assessed outline proposals for the scheme, and said they should be refused.
A council report says the scheme would have "a severe impact in terms of both (traffic) safety and congestion".
It says the scheme should be refused - if it comes before the council planning committee - on the grounds that it "fails to provide a financial contribution towards projects to mitigate the impacts on the wider highway" and "fails to demonstrate how access to public transport at the site would be improved".
County Highways have asked for more than £750,000 from the developer towards road improvements in Lancaster. The report says Oakmere Homes has contested this.
The outline planning application was received by the council in January 2023. It has since been reduced from original plans for 120 homes.
The appeal was launched on May 28 "due to the non determination of the planning application" said the report, published this week ahead of a Lancaster City Council planning regulatory committee meeting on June 23.
This followed "the expiry of the most recently agreed extension of time on November 28 2024".
"As such, the Local Planning Authority is not now able to determine the application," says the report.
"However, this report seeks a resolution from the planning committee as to how the application would be determined, which will inform the consideration of the planning appeal.
"A previous outline application, for a similar number of dwellings, was submitted in 2000 and there was an appeal made on the grounds of non-determination within the statutory timescale. The appeal was dismissed, and planning permission refused."
The report says that more than 160 objections have been received to the scheme, based on issues including increase in traffic and congestion, including near local schools which will impact highway safety; lack of sustainable travel options; that the site is not within walking distance of the city centre for the majority of elderly or young people; surrounding roads are poor and dangerous for pedestrians; and increased flood risk.
It says County Highways "consider that the development will have impacts on Pointer Roundabout, Hala Road signalised junction, Lancaster City Centre Gyratory, further afield at Galgate, and elsewhere to a lesser extent".
"To mitigate the impacts identified, County Highways have requested contributions to a limited number of projects.
"£200K contribution towards improvements at Pointer Roundabout
"£200K A6 Preston Lancaster Road
"£200K Lancaster Gyratory
"£157,680 contribution towards the introduction of intelligent traffic management along the A6 between Lancaster City Centre and Galgate. Measures to improve pedestrian and cycle safety from the proposed development to the city centre and South Lancaster, and tackle rat running down lanes.
"Whilst the applicant has contested this, the Local Highway Authority have maintained their position. The level of contribution requested is high (£6888 per dwelling) but it is considered that the projects to which the money has been requested relate to the impacts of the development proposed and details have been provided in relation to the projects and their overall costs."
The full report can be found HERE.
Beyond Radio has contacted Oakmere Homes for comment.
Lancaster City Council planning regulatory committee will meet to discuss the plans at Morecambe Town Hall on Monday June 23. The meeting starts at 10.30am and is open to the public.
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