Cockermouth Sidings plans halted over 'confidence' concerns

Campaigners believe an ecological report into the presence of red squirrels was not thorough enough

Plans for new homes in Cockermouth have stalled for a second time due to a lack of "confidence" in the developer.

The plans by Bill Dobie were first halted last year when it emerged that an ecological report into the presence of red squirrels was out of date.

Labour-led Cumberland Council deferred the decision again at a meeting on Wednesday in order to instruct its own ecologist.

Mr Dobie did not address the concerns about the report at the meeting.

The businessman had previously said that three separate reports confirmed there was no red squirrel habitat at the site.

But campaigners gathered to protest outside the council chambers as they believe the most recent report was not thorough enough.

The proposal would see six homes and a four-story apartment block built at the former fire station site, known as the Sidings.

Red squirrel evidence

Ecologist Adrian George, who was instructed by Mr Dobie to carry out the ecological assessment, found no evidence of red squirrels nesting in the area.

But campaigners say local squirrel groups had evidence of the animal being present and numbers having increased over recent years.

Red squirrels are a protected species and any development that would damage their habitat would be unlawful.

Gabrielle Sanders, who objects to the plans, told councillors that while the ecologist's report itself said multiple site visits needed to be carried out to verify the presence of red squirrels, that did not happen.

Campaigners say squirrel numbers have increased in the area in recent years

"He [the ecologist] based his report on a four-hour walk-through in the middle of the day," she said.

Mr George said he was an independent ecologist with no financial links to Mr Dobie's company and development.

'No confidence'

To receive permission to build, the developer would have to plant trees in nearby Harris Park to replace more than 50 to be removed from the site.

Labour councillor Andrew Semple said: "It's about having confidence that this developer is going to maintain this green space for the people of Cockermouth - there is no confidence at the moment."

Mr Dobie said more trees would be planted than the existing number on the site and he believed the development would create a "much more healthy environment in the future".

Mr Dobie said more trees would be planted than the number currently on site

Terry Abraham, a filmmaker who recently finished making a documentary called Cumbria Red, Saving Our Red Squirrels, has been involved with the campaign to protect the wildlife at the site.

After the meeting, he said he was "flabbergasted" by the outcome.

"It's nice it's been deferred because it gives the reds and other wildlife a bit more time to breed out there but I'm flabbergasted because it just shows you how wrong the council got it in the first place."