Penrith councillors object to ‘diabolical’ plan for 60 new homes
Plans to build 60 homes on land east of Carleton Heights in Penrith have met strong opposition from town councillors, who have raised concerns about traffic, drainage and pressure on local services.
Persimmon Homes is seeking full planning permission to develop land off Primrose Drive and Carleton Hill Road. The site was previously earmarked for a new primary school, but Westmorland and Furness Council later concluded that the school was no longer required.
The application is now being considered by the unitary authority. Penrith Town Council, which acts as a statutory consultee rather than the final decision-maker, has formally objected.
The proposal at a glance
| Detail | Proposal |
|---|---|
| Total homes | 60 |
| Open-market homes | 42 |
| Affordable homes | 18 |
| Affordable proportion | 30% |
| Application number | 2026/1347/FPA |
| Applicant | Persimmon Homes |
| Current status | Decision pending |
Councillors criticise application
Members of Penrith Town Council’s planning committee delivered a particularly critical assessment of the documents submitted with the proposal.
Councillor Charlie Shepherd described it as one of the poorest applications he had examined and said it was short of “good, solid information”. Another councillor called the submission “scruffy”, “inadequate” and “sloppy”.
The council’s objection focuses on the amount and quality of information provided, rather than opposing the principle of developing the former school site.
Councillors acknowledged that the land now sits between existing housing and other development. However, they said Persimmon had not adequately answered several important planning questions.
Main concerns
| Issue | Concerns raised |
|---|---|
| Traffic and parking | More vehicles would use an estate where residents already report roadside parking problems. |
| Walking and cycling | Councillors questioned whether travelling into the town centre would be practical, particularly because of the steep return journey. |
| Drainage | Further information is sought about foul drainage, surface water and the capacity of the existing network. |
| Flooding | Residents and councillors say part of the proposed play area can be affected by standing water. |
| Local services | Concerns include the cumulative impact on roads, health services, schools and nurseries. |
| Archaeology | Councillors believe the assessment does not sufficiently examine the land covered by this particular application. |
| Sustainability | The town council wants solar panels and electric-vehicle charging points included from the outset. |
| Construction | A detailed method statement is requested to protect the ditch or watercourse running through the site. |
Persimmon’s transport statement reportedly accepts that the site has limited facilities in its immediate vicinity and places Penrith town centre just beyond a two-kilometre walking catchment.
Persimmon outlines benefits
Persimmon argues that the scheme would help address the area’s shortage of available housing land. Its planning statement says the authority has a 3.17-year supply of deliverable housing sites, representing a calculated shortfall of 1,926 homes.
The company says the land has already been identified for development and maintains that no technical issues should prevent permission being granted. It argues that the benefits—including 18 affordable homes, open space and biodiversity measures—outweigh the development’s possible adverse effects.
Penrith Town Council nevertheless wants the outstanding drainage, highways, archaeological and environmental questions resolved before any permission is issued.
The consultation period listed on the official planning register ended on 8 August 2026. The application remains under officer consideration, with the final decision resting with Westmorland and Furness Council.
