Plans are afoot to build 40 homes on the edge of a Lake District town.
The development to the east of Borrans Road, Ambleside, would comprise 18 homes designated for local occupancy and 22 homes classified as affordable.
District councillor Malcolm Lamb, who represents the Ambleside and Grasmere ward, said building local occupancy homes was the “only way we are going to keep communities in the Lake District going”.
“Any unfettered house is likely to be bought as a second home or holiday let, and that causes tremendous damage to communities,” he said.
The housing estate would sit next to Loughrigg Park, which connects to Loughrigg Avenue.
Loughrigg Avenue resident Christina Macrae said in a representation that the avenue was not suitable for any more traffic.
“It is already dangerous at the bottom junction with Loughrigg Park, particularly for pedestrians and wheelchair users,” she said. “The plan is also unsuitable for all the residents in Loughrigg Park who will have to look at the development all the time. Ambleside (and all roads through) is full.”
The application from Atkinson Building Contractors and Home Group, is seeking permission from the national park authority for 12 two-bedroom affordable houses, six three-bedroom affordable houses, four one-bedroom affordable flats, five four-bedroom local occupancy houses, 12 three-bedroom local occupancy houses, and one two-bedroom local occupancy bungalow.
The plan factors in 82 on-site parking spaces and a new access road.
A heritage, design and access statement submitted by Align Property Partners in support of the application says the land in question is around 11,000 sq metres in size and is subject to periodic grazing and mowing.
The statement says the development would ‘necessitate the removal of one mature tree close to the southern boundary’.
“However, this tree is not subject to a tree protection order and has previously suffered structural damage,” it says.
“Retained/established boundary planting will be enhanced with additional planting of native tree species to help minimise the visual impact of the development and provide additional wildlife habitat.
“Trees will be planted of a ‘standard’ size so that landscaping will have more of an immediate impact.”
The statement says ‘it is further envisaged that boundaries will be further reinforced with additional hedge-planting’.
