The developer also described suggestions that the number of objections should carry greater planning weight as ‘absurd’, saying officers must assess representations against planning policy and supporting evidence.
Its comments appear in a supplemental planning statement submitted with revised proposals for land south of Nook Lane, where more than 400 public comments are now recorded on Cumberland Council‘s planning portal.
The renewed consultation has also prompted a leaflet campaign in Dalston and beyond, focusing on sewage pollution and the River Caldew.
Cumberland councillor Trevor Allison, who represents Dalston and Burgh, said he was ‘more ambivalent’ about the number of homes because new housing was needed.
But the retired Stead McAlpin chemist said he wanted clarity over how additional sewage would be treated.
He said: “My concern is the treatment of discharge into what I understand to be an overloaded treatment plant at Dalston.
“I’m not objecting to the proposal as such, but I’d like some clarity on the matter of sewage discharge and how that’s going to be addressed.”
Dalston Parish Council has objected ‘in the strongest terms’ and submitted reports covering planning policy, roads, drainage, ecology, schools and healthcare.
It says the greenfield development would add almost 10 per cent to Dalston’s housing stock, lies outside the village’s defined development boundary and could place further pressure on local infrastructure.
Story Homes argues Dalston is identified as a main settlement suitable for growth and says the former Carlisle area has only a 3.84-year supply of deliverable housing land.
It says 694 active affordable housing applications have been recorded across Dalston, Great Orton, Carleton and Cummersdale. The scheme would provide 29 affordable homes.
The revised layout removes an eastern vehicle entrance and private driveways opening directly onto Nook Lane.
It also adds 20 visitor parking spaces and further tree and hedge planting, while retaining the proposed total of 99 homes.
The original plans received a refusal recommendation from Cumberland Council’s highways authority over access, visibility, parking and the internal road layout.
No updated highways response to the amendments had been published at the time of writing.
United Utilities has meanwhile asked the council not to approve the drainage strategy until Story Homes provides further information about the proposed pumping rate for foul water.
The company said foul and surface-water disposal was acceptable in principle, but added that parts of the detailed design might not be acceptable without further work.
Dalston Parish Council argues the existing wastewater system is already under pressure and fears the development could increase pollution entering the River Caldew.
United Utilities’ response does not say the treatment works lacks capacity or that the homes would necessarily increase sewage spills.
Education officers have also confirmed that the amendments do not alter their earlier response because the number and mix of homes remain unchanged.
Story Homes says local schools have capacity, although the parish council disputes the forecasts and argues current pupil numbers leave less room than council estimates suggest.
The developer has urged Cumberland Council to approve the application ‘without delay’, while the parish council is seeking refusal.
The application remains under consideration.