Bosses of the Lake District National Park have given the go-ahead for 12 new homes to be built in a village near Keswick, despite objections from residents.
The authority’s development panel met in Kendal on Wednesday and approved the development on land west of the A66 at Braithwaite. Although submitted in outline, the development will comprise about 12 dwellings, seven of which will be categorised as affordable housing.
The panel voted to accept the recommendation of officers and approve Hallgarth Estate’s bid, subject to receiving a final nutrient mitigation scheme and the meeting of obligations to provide affordable housing.
Head of development management Andrew Smith has been authorised to refuse planning permission if planning obligations are not met within six months because the scheme is only considered acceptable with the affordable housing.
Five objections were received, one resident saying: “The site is too close to the A66; noisy and unhealthy environment for residents, particularly children, by way of traffic pollution.”
Another argued that properties in the development may be converted into B&Bs or holiday lets, making their rise, and the erosion of permanent housing stock worse.
One resident objected to the “significant increase in the traffic volume using the junction to the A66”. Concerns were also raised about the potential for more water run-off onto the A66 during winter.
Derwent Parish Council raised no objection but recommended a Tree Preservation Order is placed on three oak trees on the northern side of the development. They added that the development provides an opportunity to install a cycle/footway from the northern boundary fence line to the existing network.
Cumbria County Council as lead highways authority recommended approval subject to conditions, Cumbria Fire and Rescue raised no objections.
While they did not object to the proposal, Cumbria Constabulary encouraged methods to ensure the development is not vulnerable to crime.
