A HOST of new homes are on the horizon after councillors approved plans for new developments in Dalton and Askam.

Members of Barrow Council’s planning committee gave the green light to proposals for new homes in both areas despite objections.

In a meeting streamed on YouTube, councillors voted through an outline plan to build 42 new homes at the Urofoam factory site in Askam’s Duddon Road.

The meeting was told that the site was formerly a K Shoes factory, which at its peak produced 25,000 pairs of shoes every week.

Planning officer Charles Wilton said the area is a nesting site for less black backed gulls and herring gulls.

Objections had been raised by nearby residents over access to the site.

Mr Wilton said: “Probably the main issue that was raised with the application was one of access. And the original intention was to have two accesses on to Walker and James Street.

“That led to quite a number of objections from the residents on those streets.

“In response to that, the plans have been changed, and the site would be served by the new road which was put in just a few years ago as part of an earlier phase of house building on the site.”

Under the terms of the approval, the developer must pay £33,000 towards traffic calming and speed reduction measures on Lots Road.

£4,200 must also be paid to Cumbria Wildlife Trust for a fence at South Walney Nature Reserve to mitigate for the loss of the gulls’ nest.

The demolition of the factory will take place outside of nesting season, Mr Wilton said.

A proposal for two new houses off Nelson Street in Dalton was also approved despite concerns.

The meeting heard Cumbria County Council had originally objected to plans due to concerns about an increase in a traffic on an already built-up narrow street.

Mr Wilton said the authority later withdrew the objection, with the same level of traffic expected to the site as in its current use as a taxi office.

Barrow Councillor Bill McEwan said: “My first thought was Nelson Street, here we go again, traffic problems blah blah blah.

“We had a site visit here but I’ve got no problem with an application for two houses.”

Cllr Sam Ronson, a former mayor of Dalton, voted against the plan, raising issues with parking in the town.

He said: “I’m quite aware that parking is a major issue in that part of town.

“I think parking will have been taken into account already, however, I don’t think it can be underestimated.”

Plans say the houses would have their own parking.

Councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour of the plans.