The Area Planning Committee (South and West) met to consider planning applications for residential development, agricultural storage, and solar panels. The meeting was scheduled to discuss planning applications for land in Leeholme, Mickleton and Eggleston.

Land East Of Buckingham Terrace, Leeholme, DL14 8JJ

The committee was scheduled to consider a full planning application for the erection of 70 dwellings and associated infrastructure on land east of Buckingham Terrace in Leeholme. The applicant was named in the report pack as Miss Emily Scott of Gleeson Regeneration Ltd.

The proposed development included 8 two-bed bungalows, 3 two-bed semi-detached properties, 42 three-bed dwellings, and 17 four-bed dwellings across 10 house types, including 7 affordable homes. Access would be from Leeholme / Buckingham Road, with 180 in-curtilage car parking spaces including 17 visitor parking bays. A central spine road was proposed, branching out to clusters of properties served by private shared driveways. An area of public open space was proposed to the north west of the southern portion of the site, including a children's play space, with a SUDs basin¹ to the southern part.

The report pack noted that the application had been presented to the committee on 28 July 2025, where it was resolved to defer determination to allow further discussions with the applicant regarding financial contributions.

The report pack stated that the council's Spatial Policy team advised that the key issues were whether the form of development was appropriate, taking account of open space issues, and how well the proposed layout related to the built form and existing properties. The Affordable Housing team indicated their satisfaction with the affordable homes to be provided in the form of Discount Market Sale and considered them to be well distributed throughout the site. The Design and Conservation team advised that the majority of dwellings addressing the main vehicular route through the site were rendered which helps to ensure a cohesive streetscene, as recommended within the Design Review process.

The Landscape Section requested the planting of a hedgerow along the eastern boundary of the site, along with planting to the SUDs basin, and raised concern over the viability of some proposed planting areas within the site. The Arboricultural Officer raised concerns over the extent of the tree loss required to facilitate the proposed development, as well as the amount of space to allow the replacement trees in the landscaping scheme to become established. The Ecology team advised that the proposed development would result in net losses of biodiversity on site, to be offset by offsite habitat creation, secured via condition.

The Education Provision Lead Officer requested financial contributions of £58,786 to go towards the provision of Special Educational Needs (SEND) school places, and £88,385 to go towards increasing nursery age pupil places. The NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board requested financial contributions of £33,810 to go towards increasing GP surgery capacity.

92 letters of objection and 4 letters neither objecting nor supporting the application had been received. One letter of support had been received.

The report pack stated that Gleeson believed the site provided a sustainable development opportunity on previously developed land and would contribute to the provision of a mix of housing size, types and affordability in Leeholme.

The report pack stated that the planning application should be determined in accordance with the development plan unless material consideration indicate otherwise.

The report pack stated that the key planning issues were:

• Principle of Development
• Open Space
• Locational Sustainability
• Design and Layout
• Landscape and Visual Impact
• Highway Safety Issues
• Residential Amenity
• Drainage and Flood Risk
• Ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain
• Ground Conditions and Land Stability
• Infrastructure

Land To West Of West Tofts, Tofts Road, Mickleton, DL12 0LR

The committee was scheduled to consider a full planning application for the erection of an agricultural storage building on land to the west of West Tofts in Mickleton. The applicant was named in the report pack as Mrs Irene Stoddart.

The proposed building would measure approximately 11.9m by 22.8m with an eaves height of 4.2m, a ridgeline of 6.2m, and a 273m2 footprint. Materials were proposed to consist of concrete panels with timber boarding above for the external walls and anthracite grey fibre cement tiles for the roof.

The report pack noted that Councillor Richard Bell had requested that the application be reported to the South West Planning Committee on the grounds of the agricultural need for and wider benefits of the proposed building in this location.

Mickleton Parish Council supported the application. The Highways Authority raised no objections.

The Landscape Section advised that the proposed development would result in significant effects at a local level that would harm the special qualities of the Area of Higher Landscape Value², and questioned the justification for a building in this location away from the main farmstead at Wemmergill Farm. The Ecology and Environmental Health teams raised no objections.

The report pack stated that Mrs Stoddart believed the proposed development was necessary to support the business, providing cover for associated activities at Mickleton, and would not serve that need effectively if it were at Wemmergill, some 5 miles away.

The report pack stated that the key planning issues were:

• Principle of Development
• Landscape Impact
• Highway Safety Issues
• Residential Amenity
• Ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain

Land To The South Of Balmer Cottage, Balmer Lane, Eggleston, DL12 0AN

The committee was scheduled to consider a full planning application for the installation of 20 free standing solar panels on land to the south of Balmer Cottage in Eggleston. The applicant was named in the report pack as Dr James Siddle.

The application sought permission for 4 rows of 5 ground mounted solar panels. Each row would measure approximately 1.7m deep by a length of 7.25m, protruding up to 1.5m above ground level. The applicant proposed to provide natural screening through the planting of a hedgerow along the Eastern boundary of the site.

The report pack noted that former Councillor Henderson had called the application to committee on the grounds of the impact of the solar panels on the surrounding landscape given their distance from the host dwelling.

Eggleston Parish Council objected to the proposals. The Landscape Section raised no objections subject to a condition to secure the planting of a hedge along the eastern boundary of the site. The Ecology team raised no objections as a biodiversity net gain of at least 10% could be achieved. The Environmental Health team confirmed no further information regarding land contamination was required.

Two letters of objection had been received, and four letters of support.

The report pack stated that Dr Siddle believed the solar panels would form a back-up for their home as well as generating clean energy year round.

The report pack stated that the key planning issues were:

• Principle of Development
• Landscape and Visual Impact
• Biodiversity Net Gain