Councillors say no to houses at the old fire HQ in Cockermouth because of the red squirrels Homes plan at Cockermouth's former fire headquarters refused over red squirrel fears

Councillors have turned down six houses and ten flats at the old fire HQ on Station Road in Cockermouth, even though officers said yes, because of what it could do to the red squirrels there.

This one's for folk in Cockermouth, especially round Station Road, and anybody who's been following the big squirrel row over the site they call The Sidings.

On Wednesday 21 October, the council's planning committee said no to houses on land at the old Cumbria Fire and Rescue headquarters on Station Road. Businessman Bill Dobie wanted to put up six houses and a block of 10 flats, which would have meant chopping down dozens of trees. There were 319 objections.

Council officers had actually said it should be approved. Planning officer Kerry McCartney told the committee an independent survey did show squirrels using the site, but woodland corridors would be kept so they could still get about up in the trees. The council's own ecologist said there'd be a "lag phase" between the old trees coming down and new ones growing, and the scheme wouldn't "compensate adequately" in the meantime. Lib Dem councillor Roger Dobson said he wasn't happy with the risk to the habitat and moved to refuse it, backed by Labour's Andrew Semple.

This has been dragging on a while. It was first approved in September 2023, then stopped when it came out the wildlife report was years out of date. In March councillors put off deciding, and a survey the council paid for later found two red squirrel nests, called dreys, near the site. The developer's agent said the woodland was neglected and going downhill and would be properly looked after.

Red squirrels are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and wrecking a drey is a crime.

What you can do: the committee papers and decision are on the Cumberland Council website. The developer can still appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

Cumberland Council's planning committee has refused plans for six houses and a block of 10 flats at the former Cumbria Fire and Rescue headquarters on Station Road, Cockermouth, against officers' advice, over the impact on red squirrels.

This is for people in Cockermouth, especially those living near Station Road, and anyone who has followed the long row over red squirrels at the site known as The Sidings.

On Wednesday 21 October, Cumberland Council's planning committee refused permission for housing on land at the former Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service headquarters on Station Road. Businessman Bill Dobie wanted to build six houses and a block of 10 flats there, which would mean felling dozens of trees. The application drew 319 objections.

Officers had recommended approval. Planning officer Kerry McCartney told members an independent survey did show squirrel activity on the site, but said woodland corridors would be kept so squirrels could move through the upper canopy. The council's ecologist told members there would be a "lag phase" between felling trees and new ones growing, and that the development would not "compensate adequately" during that time. Liberal Democrat councillor Roger Dobson said he was not satisfied with the risk of destroying the habitat and moved refusal, seconded by Labour's Andrew Semple.

The plans were first approved in September 2023, but were halted when it emerged the ecology report was out of date. In March councillors deferred a decision, and an independent survey commissioned by the council later found two red squirrel nests, called dreys, near the site. The applicant's agent said the woodland was unmanaged and in decline and would be looked after.

Red squirrels are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and removing their dreys is a criminal offence.

What you can do: the committee papers and decision are on Cumberland Council's website. The applicant can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.