Lancaster City Council has decisively refused a proposal by government agency Homes England to build up to 250 homes on a 29-acre site in Carnforth, following strong objections from local groups including a football club and canal trust. The planning committee voted against the application on Monday, March 23, 2026, overturning recommendations from council officers who had advised approval with conditions.
Football Club Viability at Risk
The plan targeted the Lundsfield Quarries site off Kellet Road, bordering the Lancaster Canal south of Carnforth town centre. Carnforth Rangers FC, based at Quarry Park on the northern edge of the site, voiced significant concerns about the development's impact on its operations. In an objection letter, Neil Wakeman, representing the club's trustees, stated that housing near the ground would threaten the viability of improved football facilities in an area already facing a shortfall of playing pitches.
He emphasized that proposals should be considered holistically, prioritizing community sport needs over housing expansion. Carnforth Town Council also objected, fearing future residents might complain about disturbance from football activities, exacerbating traffic congestion and citing poor community consultation.
Canal Marina and Infrastructure Concerns
Additional objections centered on the Lancaster Canal, with the Lancaster Canal Trust raising concerns about the potential loss of boat moorings, which could hinder leisure activity in Carnforth. Both the trust and the Canal and Rivers Trust suggested measures to protect and enhance canal infrastructure, though they did not formally object. The plan included demolishing existing buildings to construct homes, access roads, and a car and coach park for the football club.
Planning Officers' Recommendations Overruled
Council planning officers had recommended approval with a legal agreement and conditions, arguing that new homes were needed and the canal could be safeguarded. Their proposals included a football club car park with at least 58 spaces and two coach spaces, secure tenure for the club, developer contributions for sports amenities elsewhere, affordable housing, new traffic signals on Kellet Road, and a £500,000 bus service contribution.
They also recommended public spaces within the estate and a management company for maintenance. However, councillors on the planning committee ultimately refused the application, siding with community fears over the development's broader impacts.
Background and Site Details
Homes England sought outline planning permission for the 250 homes, having purchased the land after developer Redrow Homes failed to deliver an earlier scheme years ago. The site, covering the former Lodge Quarry Works, has been a point of contention due to its proximity to key community assets like the football club and canal.
This refusal highlights ongoing tensions between housing development and preserving local amenities in Carnforth, with councillors prioritizing community needs over new construction in this instance.
