Chatsworth Gardens. Really as beneficial as originally envisaged???

For such a significant development it is has been seemingly been quickly rushed through the planning process leaving little time for consultation.

Current Application

The current application was received on the 3rd  of December 2013.

Background Information

The site was first mentioned in the West End Masterplan and defined as a Housing Exemplar.  The original idea was to remodel and refurbish the existing properties with demolition of those in the centre and creating green space where they stood.  Later a design competition was held and several designs were mooted by private developers.

The one that won was a design by Peter Barber Architects and was to be delivered by Places for People and involved complete demolition and replacement with a new style of housing; not unlike some of the art deco/30's modernist styles.

Chatsworth Gardens

Information on E-Architect

Visualisation 1

Visualisation 2

Now, although it would have meant losing the Victorian premises, it does look rather positive and striking.  It even included business uses fronting onto Regent Road.

The application for this development was made in 2008 and can be found below:

2008 Application Details

2013 Application

The whole site is located in the West End of Morecambe on land bounded by Regent Road, Albert Road, Westminster Road and Balmoral Road; Chatsworth Road runs through the middle of it.  It is currently made up of large Victorian Terraces and this application concerns properties on the northern half.  The site is in part ownership with some belonging to Lancaster City Council and some by a company called PlaceFirst.  The latter is a company who develops accommodation for private rent.  So rather than being an exemplar of housing as it was originally meant to be, this is going to be a development of 'rented' accommodation.

This is even made clear on page 9 of the Design & Access Statement that the development is aimed at the rental market.

Design & Access Statement

The current plans contain no elements of anything else other than housing with remaining other uses being converted.  No opportunities for new businesses or employment then.

It is currently on the agenda for the 3rd of February 2014 with a recommendation of approval. 

Feb 3rd Planning Meeting

Committee Report

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So rather than an attractive development of good quality housing that could have been a positive example to the whole area and brought new people in, we are now presented with a scheme which is little better than what is already present.  It is also noted that in this scheme the green space is significantly reduced.  How this can still be classed as an 'Exemplar' I'll never work out.  Judging by the plans and visuals it seems to be delivering more of the same.  A wasted opportunity to create something more positive for the area....

Also, the fact that it's such a significant development, it looks like it's being rushed through in order to get approval without giving people time to look at and scrutinise the plans properly!

Poulton to get yet MORE social housing???

An application had been submitted to Lancaster City Council for the erection of 10 houses (2 bed) and 8 flats (1 bed) on land at the end of King Street off Euston Road.  The land is currently vacant apart from one small disused dwelling.  Part of the land near Wellington Terrace had at one point been designated open space.  The land also forms former railway land which was used to access the old Euston Road Station (now demolished.

The application details can be found here:

Land Surrounding 24 King Street Morecambe

According to the design and access statement for the above application, all the housing provided is intended affordable and run through supplier of social housing.

The information concerning this can be found below.  The statement in question is on the Affordable Housing section on page 4.

Design & Access Statement Incorporating Sustainability Statement, Utilities Statement,Affordable Housing Statement & Flood Risk Assessment

If you cannot access the above, the section in question can be found below with the significant text highlighted.  (Click on the image for a larger view).

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What should be asked here is, is this ‘really’ the best development for this area? 

Would open space or something more community beneficial, like allotments or community gardens, not be better for the site?

Why is there a sudden need for more housing in the Poulton area? Do more one bedroom flats effectively mean bedsits?