Developers interested in creating new homes in Barrow will be expected to contribute towards the improvement of local education and health care provision related to the increase in population.
Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet has approved a supplementary planning document to guide the transformation of the 27-hectare Marina Village site.
The guidance for the dockside development includes advice on providing affordable homes, encouraging walking and cycling, protecting nature and improving public open space. The sustainable homes will be energy efficient and gas free.
The cabinet also agreed to follow a master developer model for the site, where a single developer would take responsibility for the initial planning, design, infrastructure delivery, and co-ordination of a major development site.
Members heard that the co-ordinated approach would make sure that there would be consistent quality, long-term stewardship, and cohesive place making while minimising the risk of the process for individual developers and local authorities.
The cabinet agreed to start the procurement process to appoint a master developer.
The council said its vision for the site was: “A high quality, well-designed waterfront neighbourhood set along Barrow’s active historic docks, it will offer a new, contemporary housing choice within walking distance of Barrow town centre.
“Set within a sustainable network of vibrant and natural spaces, which support well-being, active travel and a great quality of life, it will offer homes where you can set down roots. A place where heritage, nature, community and landscape connect to Barrow’s industrial future and thrives.”
The development when complete will provide 800 new homes and strengthen the council’s work with the Government and BAE Systems, it said, as the Team Barrow partnership to ensure that interventions needed to support employment opportunities at BAE were transformational, inclusive and long lasting for Barrow, Westmorland and Furness, and beyond.
Councillor Virginia Taylor, cabinet member for sustainable communities and localities, said: “It’s a privilege and a responsibility for us to guide the creation of a well-designed place with a real heart, where people can live good lives, bring up their families in safe, warm houses that don’t cost a fortune to run, and stay in their community as they grow older.
“Unlocking this former industrial land and seeing it transformed into a thriving residential community in the centre of Barrow is one of the council’s biggest schemes and tremendously important for the town, Westmorland and Furness and beyond.”
