Last updated at 12:34, Saturday, 12 May 2012

TWO proposed town centre housing schemes will be debated by councillors.

Ulverston Town Council will give views on plans for new houses at the site of the Old Freezer Centre and the former Braddylls Arms pub in the town on Monday.

Residents’ objections have been received by South Lakeland District Council about contemporary housing plans for three large three-storey cottages and a two-storey flat, in Stockbridge Lane.

The application, by Ross O’Connell, of Greig and Stephenson, of London, proposes to demolish a disused warehouse and sheds, which was previously used as storage for Furness Fish, Poultry and Game, and replace it with the sustainable homes.

Neighbouring resident Andrew Smith said a residential development will “enhance the site” but he is concerned about the height of the buildings and feels his home will be “swamped”. Fellow resident, David Rogan, objected saying it is “out of character” and there will be the “loss of privacy”, and believes the flat roof on the two-storey flat looks like “a World II coastal bunker”.

The applicant says “by combining modern sustainable design with traditional materials and ideas, we can create a pleasant contemporary addition to the semi-rural location of Ulverston.”

Mr O’Connell told the Evening Mail the company is working with the planning officials and they are planning to meet to talk about a few possible changes to the plans.

The homes would feature stone, timber, roughcast render and slate, relating to the surrounding area.

Mr O’Connell reiterated: “We have tried to create a sustainable design using local materials to keep it in context with the local area.”

A new plan for the Braddylls Arms, in Market Place, will also go before councillors to get feedback for decision makers, SLDC.

Applicant, Roger Chattaway, is asking for alterations and change of use from a pub with letting rooms to convert the building into three self-contained houses. AJ Hartley wrote to SLDC to say the proposed use of the redundant pub would be good for the town.

Last summer plans for the pub were put before the town council which included building two houses in the rear courtyard, in addition to the three houses.

The courtyard houses, something residents had objected to, are not part of the new plans.

Last year Councillor Phil Lister said it would be the first time residential houses had broken through onto the front streetscape, and that it would be a “dangerous precedent to set”.

Two years ago the plan had been to turn the pub into a hotel.

First published at 10:36, Saturday, 12 May 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk