Changes have been made to plans for the latest phase of a Cleator Moor housing development.

The development at High Grange in Keekle Meadows, which has already seen 125 houses built, was previously given permission by Copeland Borough Council.

And the next phase will see a further 65 homes built, with access via a new entrance road from the B5295 which has already been completed to serve other parts of the development.

Now, the developers, High Grange Developments LTD, have lodged an application to amend the plans at the site to include modifications to the access junction for the houses – enabling access to all homes on the estate.

In proposals submitted by High Grange, the developers stated that delays to highway works had meant that changes were now needed to serve homes in the wider estate.

They stated: “It is understood that an application for the Sc278 Agreement for the highway works has been commenced by High Grange Homes with Cumbria Highways over 12 months ago, but there have been unforeseen delays. To enable development to continue I have been asked to consider whether the provision of the highway works could be delayed to the occupation of the 125th home.”

This will be the fourth phase of High Grange’s development at the site – earlier phases include around 125 homes, meaning that the area would eventually see 200 homes built in total.

Cleator Moor Town Council had objected to the plans to add more houses at the site, with the council arguing the area was not highlighted for development in Copeland Council’s Local Plan.

However, Copeland planning officers recommended the council give the scheme the green light to the latest changes when its planning committee met to discuss plans, arguing the proposals would help to meet the borough’s five-year housing supply.


Planners said the benefits of the scheme, including meeting housing need and supporting local businesses in the construction phase, would “significantly and demonstrably outweigh and landscape and visual impact that would result from extending development into open countryside on this edge of town. Increasing the number of dwellings which can be served prior to the highway works results in a small increase in traffic.”