Green Acres, Westlinton, Carlisle, CA6 4ET

1. 1.Reason: Carlisle District Local Plan Policy SP2 (Strategic Growth and Distribution) states that development within the open countryside must demonstrate a clear necessity for that specific location. The proposed dwelling would be located outside the defined settlement of Blackford, and would therefore create a new dwelling within the open countryside. National Planning Policy Framework Paragraph 84 and Policy HO6 of the Carlisle District Local Plan (Housing in the Open Countryside) permits development where it is clearly justified based upon either; 1) an essential need for a rural worker to reside,
2. 2.a replacement dwelling, or 3) conversion of a structurally sound redundant building. The proposal fails to adequately demonstrate that any of these policy exceptions apply. In the absence of sufficient justification, the development would result in an unjustified and unsustainable new dwelling within the open countryside. 2. Reason: Carlisle District Local Plan Policy HO6 (Other Housing in the Open Countryside) criteria 1a) requires the business to be established, has been profitable for at least one year, is currently financially sound, and has a clear prospect of remaining so. Criteria 1b) requires applicants to provide evidence that housing need cannot be met existing housing stock nearby. The applicants have failed to submit robust or verifiable financial evidence in relation to the business, nor evidence to indicate any alternative housing sites have been considered. Therefore, in the absence of such the Local Planning Authority cannot be satisfied the proposed development would meet the requirements of Policy HO6 1a) or 1b).
3. 3.Reason: Carlisle District Local Plan Policy HO6 (Other Housing in the Open Countryside), SP6 (Securing Good Design) and GI1 (Landscapes) requires development to be of an appropriate size, scale, design and material in the context of its location, and should improve the character and quality of the site in an appropriate way to its surroundings. In addition, Policy SP2 (Strategic Growth and Distribution) aims to ensure unnecessary and unjustified encroachment and urbanisation of the Districts countryside is avoided. The proposed development introduces a generic suburban property, through its scale, design and chosen materials, within the open countryside, whilst failing to promote a high standard of design. Ultimately the proposed development would be inappropriate within the context of the open countryside and would therefore fail to satisfy the requirements of Policy HO6, SP2, SP6 and GI1.
4. 4.Reason: Carlisle District Local Plan 2015 - 2030 Policy HO11 (Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Provision) aims to maintain and, where necessary, increase the supply of suitable accommodation for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople. The proposals would result in the loss of an existing gypsy traveller pitch which would reduce the current provision and therefore impede the delivery requirements set out within the Cumbria Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (CGTAA) (2022). Therefore, the proposals fail to satisfy the requirements of Policy HO11 and would undermine the Council's ability to fulfill the requirements set out within the Cumbria Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (CGTAA) (2022).

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

CA6 4ET

Application type

Full Planning Permission

Scale / size

Small

Parish

Westlinton

Date validated

24 October 2025

Neighbour consultation start

29 October 2025

Applicant

Private applicant

Agent

Planning Branch Ltd

Agent address

19 Greystoke Park Avenue, PENRITH, Cumbria, CA11 9DB

Case officer

Leigh Thompson

Documents

7

Constraints

13