COUNCILLORS have recommended that 30 homes should be built on greenfield land.

Barrow Borough Council's planning committee voted in favour of the outline application for the land off Flass Lane following a meeting at Barrow Town Hall on Tuesday. 

The councillors recommended the approval of the application, which is subject to an architectural survey to check the land's integrity.

The council's executive committee had told officers to apply for outline planning permission for residential use after the council-owned site was deemed surplus to requirements in December last year.

At the meeting, queries about the green-belt nature of the site were directed to principal planning officer, Charles Wilton, who highlighted why the site was appropriate.

He said: "Times change and the town of Barrow has evolved. There is a real need for more accommodation in the area, particularly with the growth of major companies like BAE.

"It is also important to note that this site does not impede on to natural land."

The site, known as 11 Smallholdings, was the subject of a planning application in 2006 which was granted to St Mary's Hospice to build a new hospice.

The hospice was never built and, since then, St Mary's Hospice has had no further interest in the land.

There were also positive remarks about the accessibility of the land to the surrounding area to nearby schools, shops and other facilities.

The report prepared for the planning committee included responses from nearby residents. 

One said: "I would have no objection to what would appear to be a stylish improvement of the rather rundown nature of the site."

Barrow Borough Council's deputy leader, Councillor Brendan Sweeney, echoed the views of Mr Wilton and the need for accommodation in the Barrow area.

He said: "The site is very accessible to the surrounding area and is ideal for providing more housing.

"It is in an enclosed space that would improve the nature of the site and support the surrounding area.

"You look at some of the people working the Barrow area and I have known of some who have had to stay in hotels in Windermere and Kendal and it's not practical for them."