PLANS to bulldoze an “eyesore” former church and put houses in its place look set to be approved next week.
Councillors will decide on an application to demolish St Bega’s Catholic Chapel on Whitehaven Road in Cleator Moor to make way for 11 houses, at a meeting to be held on Wednesday.
Cleator Moor Town Council has objected to the plans and raised concerns over the “already busy” junction at Bowthorn and the increased traffic from the proposed Leconfield extension.
Five letters of objection were received from the public, which raised concerns over drainage, road safety and privacy issues for Coniston Park residents.
Members of Copeland Council’s planning panel are minded to approve the scheme, which has been put forward by South North Crossings Ltd, with a number of conditions.
A design and access statement lodged with the application says: “It is proposed to demolish the existing disused chapel building, that is no longer fit for purpose, is in a poor state of repair and a visual eyesore to the area potentially attracting anti-social activity.
“It is then proposed to construct 11 new, high quality residential homes.”
The development would be made up of four three-bedroom semi-detached houses, three three-bedroom detached houses and four four-bedroom houses.
A new private access road is to be constructed along the edge of the site to serve the properties and off-street parking would be provided.
The site is also to be landscaped to control rain water run-off and protect the properties from flooding.
A traffic statement submitted with the plans says: “It has been agreed by the Highways Department that when the chapel was in use, vehicle and pedestrian movement for the site access would have been greater than the new proposed use.
“The existing vehicle and pedestrian access is suitable and acceptable for the proposals.”
The plans go on to say: “The proposed development has been designed with careful regard to the amenity of local residents, the functioning of the local highway network, and important technical considerations such as the drainage of surface water within the site.”
READ MORE: Plans lodged for demolition of "eyesore" Cleator Moor chapel to build 11 homes
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