Published at 16:07, Thursday, 07 February 2013

BARROW is set for a housing boost, with up to 27 new homes set to be built in the town.

Barrow Borough Council’s planning committee met on Tuesday and chose to accept plans for two new housing developments.

The Friars Hotel in Friars Lane, Barrow, closed last year and is now set to be flattened to make way for 15 houses. And outline planning permission was granted for 12 houses to be built in Roose Road, with St Luke’s Church set to be bulldozed.

Manchester-based developer Bowsall Limited submitted the Friars Lane plans on behalf of the Accent Foundation, which will own the homes but rent them to tenants through the Cumbria Choice Based Lettings Scheme.

The project is funded by a government grant of £360,000, which is aimed at boosting the amount of affordable rented properties for families in Barrow.

The three-bedroom properties, which could house up to five people, are set to be built within their own cul-de-sac, with 15 parking spaces proposed.

Fears were raised during consultation about the possible flooding of the new development and the effect this would have on surrounding properties.

One resident of Friars Lane wrote: “While I have no objection to this development as such, I do have a serious concern regarding the further overloading of the sewer system in this area. During periods of heavy rain, there is significant flooding of the area between Friars Lane and Friars Terrace, spreading to the garages of Friars Terrace and through onto Flass Lane.”

United Utilities initially objected to the plans but has now accepted them subject to the condition they approve a surface water and drainage system.

Councillors voted unanimously to accept the plans, allowing work to begin immediately.

Services at St Luke’s Church ended in 2008 and now the Diocese of Carlisle plans to knock down the church and build 12 houses.

Planning officer Charles Wilton said several trees at the church would have to be felled as part of the plans, but they were in poor condition and those along Roose Road would be retained.

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