Plans to build houses near 'nationally important' Torrisholme Barrow could be back on table

The view of houses from Torrisholme Barrow

Developers have revealed their wish to build 110 new homes near Torrisholme Barrow two years after a previous application was thrown out.

Oakmere Homes have put in a screening request to Lancaster City Council, for 110 dwellings on land east of Fulwood Drive.

This would include associated car parking, landscaping, public open space and vehicular access from Fulwood Drive.

A screening opinion request usually goes in before a planning application, so the council can decide if an Environmental Impact Assessment is needed.

In July 2024, a government inspector dismissed Oakmere Homes' appeal against the rejection of a 129-homes scheme due to the 'national importance' of Torrisholme Barrow.

The proposed site was land close to the gardens of existing bungalows on Fulwood Drive, Williams Avenue and Hamilton Road, and also near the railway line and the Barrow.

The developers had launched an appeal to the government after the plans were refused by Lancaster City Council in May 2023.

This came after widespread complaints about the proposed new housing scheme by nearby residents.

"The significance of the Barrow is both archaeological and historic, being mainly derived from its aesthetic, evidential, historical and communal values," said the planning inspector's report, at the time.

"Crucially, as a scheduled monument, the Barrow is of national importance,

"I give great weight to the conservation of the Barrow as a nationally important scheduled monument of the highest significance."

A diagram of the site submitted with the screening request said there would be an "on-site woodland planting area to increase the visual screening of the development in views from Torrisholme Barrow" to "minimise any less than substantial heritage harm on its significance".

The screening request can be viewed in the planning section of the Lancaster City Council website lancaster.gov.uk, reference number 26/00553/EIR.

Read more: Appeal against refusal of 129 new homes thrown out due to 'national importance' of Torrisholme Barrow - Beyond Radio

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