A DECISION on whether to approve plans for 42 new homes on the outskirts of Grange-over-Sands has been deferred by councillors.

The Russell Armer Ltd scheme on land between Allithwaite Road and Carter Road, which includes 14 affordable homes, was today considered by South Lakeland District Council’s Planning Committee.

The application includes a mixture of terraces, detached and semi-detached properties, and of the affordable homes, seven would be for rent, while the other seven would be made available for discounted sale.

The site is identified for housing in the council’s Land Allocations Local Plan, adopted by the Council this week following the findings of a planning inspector who deemed the document to be sound.

At the meeting, which was held at Victoria Hall in Grange-over-Sands, 20 people spoke to raise concerns about aspects of the scheme, after which councillors debated the proposals.

Members of the committee accepted the principle of a housing development on the site, which could help to address a shortfall of affordable and family housing.

But some councillors said they wanted to see refinements to the proposed drainage scheme – rather than its approval being a condition of planning permission being granted under delegated powers.

Access to the site and the likely traffic impact of the development had been considered acceptable by highways authority Cumbria County Council.

However, there was a request for clarification on the speed surveys carried out and visibility at the access junction.

The committee voted to defer a decision on whether to grant planning permission.

After the meeting, Coun Ian McPherson, chairman of the committee, said: “Local people were given the chance to have their say at the committee meeting and the deferral of the application means we will now be asking the developer to address some of the points raised.

“While the principle of using this land for housing has been accepted by a planning inspector, the committee must still be satisfied that any application it receives is right for the site.”