Bulldozers and excavators are now in full swing off Inglewood Road as Story Homes begins work on the 194-home as Penrith’s latest housing development. The green fields have now been stripped back, exposing some historical archaeological features that will be protected as part of the development as work to build roads and foundations for the 194 houses takes place.
Story Homes received the green light from councillors and planning officers in July 2024 to build 194 homes and associated infrastructure on the site, forming the second phase of ‘The Fairways’ development, which was completed in 2020.
Of the 194 properties, just 20% will be classed as affordable homes for suitable applicants with a connection to the local area — despite the Eden Local Plan requiring 30%.
Alongside the affordable homes, the developer will also make payments towards travel monitoring and a green space commitment. The scheme includes a £30,000 contribution towards off-site improvements at the town council-owned Fairhill playing fields.
Despite objections from local residents and Penrith Town Council, the plans received strong support from Westmorland and Furness Councillor for Penrith North, Cllr Bell, who submitted a letter in support that included:
“I am writing in my capacity as the ward member for Penrith North to express my support for the proposed development of 194 dwellings by Story Homes at land between Inglewood Road and Centurion Rise, Penrith.”
“As an allocated site within the Eden Local Plan, I believe this proposal represents a well-balanced and necessary sustainable development, allowing Penrith to meet housing need, and support the ambition of Westmorland and Furness Council to both grow the local economy and support employment on strategic employment sites. The construction phase of this scheme will support 600 jobs.”
“Having met with Story Homes to discuss this scheme, it has been welcome that as part of these plans, improvements to local infrastructure will be made to the surrounding area such as walking routes along the historic Roman road, and loops within the existing development and Green Lane.”
“The scheme will also provide £884,000 secured by section 106 funding for secondary school places, which I know will be well received within the local community.”
However, the final Section 106 agreement signed by the council and Story Homes did not include any financial contribution for education. Planning officers agreed to waive the requirement in order to ensure the development remained viable for the developers — despite the council, as the local education authority, stating the contribution was necessary.
Adam McNally, Senior Land & Planning Manager for Story Homes Cumbria & Scotland, said:
“Our team has worked closely with Westmorland & Furness Council, taking into consideration their feedback on our plans to deliver much-needed new homes in Cumbria. We are therefore absolutely delighted to have received planning consent from the Council to deliver this new residential development of 194 new homes in Penrith. “This exciting new scheme follows on from our successful first development phase of The Fairways, as well as our popular Brougham Fields development in Carleton, Penrith, which quickly sold out.
“Phase two of The Fairways will enable us to continue to bring more of our high-quality homes to the local area to help meet local demand for housing and economic growth ambitions, and will deliver a number of benefits to the local community, including affordable homes, improvements to the local playing fields and new open space.”
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