This month will see a significant milestone for the proposed new Story Homes development in Cockermouth, ‘Strawberry Grange Phase 2’. The Cumbrian housebuilder’s proposals to build 224 houses will be taken to Allerdale Brough Council’s Development Panel on 22 January, where a decision will be made on whether planning permission shall be granted for the development.
Proposed plans for the second phase of the development shall include a mix of 100 new 1, 2, and 3-bedroom affordable homes provided as apartments, bungalows and houses, and 75 of these will be provided as affordable rented through a registered provider of social housing. The remainder will be sold on the open market with a discount of 35% applied. These affordable homes will help address identified local needs and will benefit households with a local connection to the area in accordance with Allerdale Borough Council’s policies.
This is the second phase of the Strawberry Grange development which was awarded the title of Best Residential Development in Cumbria at the 2017 UK Property Awards. The new properties will provide build continuity from the first phase of 96 homes which are currently under construction.
Catherine Oliver, a resident at Strawberry Grange, said: “My family and I have lived in our new home for just over 18 months. We chose the ‘Salisbury’ house type because of the generous kitchen/diner/family room and spend most of our time in this living space. We have fantastic neighbours and all the residents we have met on Phase 1 have been very friendly. All in all the development has a lovely community feel.”
The development will inevitably bring economic benefits to the area during the construction phase, including sustaining jobs for local sub-contractors and support for local businesses and supply chains. The construction of 224 new homes would support the employment of circa 690 people*and provide circa seven apprentices, graduates or trainees.*
New surface water drainage infrastructure including a SUDS pond will be constructed and a new gravity fed foul water drainage infrastructure will direct foul flows to the existing infrastructure located at Windmill Lane and Bellbrigg Lonning. The new SUDS pond and the provision of bat and bird boxes will bring about ecological benefits for wildlife, and the development secures the retention of two existing protected trees within the site. Toddler play equipment will also be provided within new landscaped public open space.
Upon the end of the first phase of the existing Strawberry Grange development, a bus route will be provided through the development, with a new bus service that will encourage new residents to reduce their use of private vehicles. A Travel Plan will also be implemented that will also encourage and assist new residents to use more sustainable forms of transport such as bicycles and public transport.
During the construction period, Story Homes will provide a safe permissive route through the site to ensure that local people can continue to access the open countryside beyond the eastern boundary. Once the development is completed there will be a clearly delineated pedestrian route through the new development to allow local people continued access to the open countryside. The route within the development will be clearly marked using a series of sign posts and stone flags set into the footpath.
David Hayward, Development Planner at Story Homes, said: “Our phase two submission for 224 homes at Strawberry Grange Phase 2 follows two years of planning with design input from local people and statutory stakeholders. We are committed to providing quality affordable housing within our scheme and in accordance with local plan policies. Our new development shall make an important contribution to the district’s housing supply, including the provision of 100 affordable homes available to rent or buy. We believe that our proposals for the homes at Strawberry Grange Phase 2 will bring numerous benefits to the local community and will provide people in Cockermouth the opportunity to take their first steps on the property ladder. We look forward to hearing the views of Allerdale Development Panel next week.”
For more information about the new Strawberry Grange Phase 2 development please contact [email protected].
*Calculated using the HBF calculator: www.hbf.co.uk/policy/policy-and-wider-work-program/hbf-housing-calculator/
