Public give views on eco-village proposal

By Steph Johnson

Last updated 13:21, Thursday, 10 July 2008

THE public were given a first glimpse of proposals for an eco-village on the outskirts of Carlisle yesterday.

Interest: Divisional director for Story Land, Ian Storey, talks through the three options to Stephen and Jenny Wong, of Denton Holme, during the consultation on the proposed eco-village at Crindledyke, Carlisle

Businessman and former Carlisle United owner Fred Story has an environmentally friendly vision to put between 800 and 1,100 homes on 72 acres at Crindledyke off the A74 near Rockcliffe.

Story Homes wants to build houses, and possibly apartments, in a sustainable community which also boasts shops and public transport links.

Three different draft plans were revealed during an exhibition at Atlantic House in Kingstown.

The main questions put to visitors were how many homes should be built, where the village centre should be located and how access the site should be accessed.

The amount of open space will increase in relation to the number of properties Story Homes builds.

But whatever final decision on scale, the development will include play areas, parks, ponds, and sports fields if it is granted planning permission.

Details such as the size of the houses, what they will look like and how much they will cost are not yet available. More definite designs will be drawn up after feedback from the first stage of consultation has been analysed.

Today Fred Story told the News & Star: “I was really pleased with the attendance. As well as the guests we invited, more than 100 members of the public turned up. They weren’t just affected residents, there were people who are interested in the project as well.

“The main concern seems to be about traffic and we need to address that.

“The other concern was a need to reassure residents that we are going to be considerate builders.”

Cumbria Action for Sustainability has welcomed the ideas to lower carbon emissions, which so far include wood burning combi boilers and solar panels.

SJohnson@cngroup.co.uk