A government inspector has dismissed a housing developer's appeal against the rejection of a 129-homes scheme due to the 'national importance' of Torrisholme Barrow.
Oakmere Homes had launched an appeal to the government after plans for 129 new homes near Fulwood Drive were refused by Lancaster City Council.
But a planning inspector dismissed the appeal yesterday (July 25).
The plans were originally rejected by the council in May, after widespread complaints about the proposed new housing scheme by nearby residents.
This week C Dillon, government planning inspector, published the appeal findings.
The report says: "The appeal site is located just beyond the prominent drumlin on which the Barrow is situated.
"It comprises part of a field called ‘Standing Stone’. Dating back to between the late Neolithic and late Bronze Age periods, the Barrow is a funerary monument comprising a flat topped circular mound of earth and small stones
"Furthermore, as the Barrow is not known to have been excavated, it is likely to contain undisturbed archaeological deposits within the mound and upon the old land surface beneath.
"The significance of the Barrow is both archaeological and historic, being mainly derived from its aesthetic, evidential, historical and communal values. Crucially, as a scheduled monument, the Barrow is of national importance.
"I give great weight to the conservation of the Barrow as a nationally important scheduled monument of the highest significance."
The inspector also said: "The appeal scheme provides opportunity for the council to secure an appropriate housing type, mix and scale at the reserved matters stage.
"This could significantly improve the current open market housing offer in Morecambe by providing quality new homes for a range of different household groups including families, young people, single people, retired households and older people down-sizing from family homes. This is a significant public benefit.
"(But) in view of the nature and level of the unjustified harm and the subsequent local policy conflict, I conclude that the appeal proposal conflicts with the development plan taken as a whole.
"Overall, there are no matters before me, including the acute shortfall in the housing land supply position, which indicate that a decision taken contrary to the development plan would be justified.
"For the reasons given above, and having had regard to all matters raised, I conclude that the appeal should be dismissed."
The Oakmere Homes scheme was for 129 new houses on land close to the gardens of existing bungalows on Fulwood Drive (pictured below), Williams Avenue and Hamilton Road, and also near the railway line and the Barrow.
Residents packed into Morecambe Town Hall in May to protest against the plans.
One resident said: "Once it's done, you've got pollution, traffic problems, road damage and accidents, on roads that just aren't designed for it."
But Graham Love, speaking on behalf of Oakmere Homes, said: "The development will boost housing supply and delivery, with very little landscape harm and very little heritage harm."
Read more: Developers launch appeal to overturn decision to refuse 129 new homes in Morecambe - Beyond Radio
Oakmere Homes has sought an award of costs against Lancaster City Council , which will be subject to a separate decision, said the inspector's report.
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