By Duncan Bick

Last updated at 09:03, Tuesday, 19 March 2013

A group with ambitious plans for a community building can’t understand why it has been sent back to the drawing board.

The Irthing Centre

The Brampton and Beyond Community Trust had submitted a proposal to Carlisle City Council to redevelop part of the Irthing Centre in a £4 million plan. It now says it is worried about the building’s future.

This would have created 38 extra care flats in a disused part of the building. They would have been for older people who need regular attention but still want to live independently.

But the plans were turned down by the council’s development control committee in a unanimous vote.

Despite the setback, the group behind the proposals insists the vision to transform the area remains alive.

Bob Allan, a trustee at Brampton and Beyond, said: “The preparation process has included many discussions with various people in the council itself, and we believed we had taken account of the advice given, so it came as no surprise to us that the report considered by the committee last Friday recommended approval of the scheme.

“How we have got from there to a refusal in such wide ranging terms, we are at a loss to understand, and we are seeking to find out how it would be possible to address the committee’s concerns.”

He added: “This decision could put the future of the whole site in jeopardy.”

Funding for the scheme will only be pursued once planning permission is in place. The apartments would have been rented or part-sold. The trust also claimed 10-15 jobs would be created.

The plan had been in development since 2010 and been subject to informal community consultation last September.

It focussed on part of the building, originally built to be a business and conference centre.

At the meeting, on Friday, several committee members spoke against the plan. They were concerned about the design and access arrangements, as well as a risk of vandalism.

The council refused the application on the grounds that it would have had an impact on the privacy of neighbouring properties; three protected trees would have needed to be chopped down; the internal layout, closeness to trees and access and parking arrangements would not have created a good living environment for residents; and the building would have been out of character with otherstructures.

Mr Allan said: “We are taking advice on our options for dealing with this situation. When we fully understand those options and their costs, we will decide what to do next.”

Councillor Stephen Layden, who represents Brampton on the city council, and is a co-opted member of Brampton and Beyond, said: “I think we must acknowledge that there is a need (for housing for older people) and my personal opinion is that it was quite an innovative idea.”

Mr Layden saw the plans before they were discussed by and was impressed with the design. He believes issues to do with access could be worked around.

“I think that the Brampton and Beyond Trust had a good outline for that development and they were very surprised that is was voted down unanimously and I must say I’m very disappointed. I hope that the plans can be revisited in the future.”

First published at 08:41, Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk