Controversial plans to build two new homes in the Lake District have been refused after people raised concerns they would reduce the ability of businesses to operate locally.
The Lake District National Park Authority turned down an application from Harveve Limited to knock down a workshop and build two three-bedroom houses on land next to Brim Fell in Coniston.
The authority refused the plans due to concerns over flooding and the loss of employment space in the area.
The decision notice states: “The demolition of the workshop would result in the loss of an existing employment space within the rural service centre, where Coniston neighbourhood plan and consultation responses indicate that there is a local need.
“The application has failed to demonstrate that the site is no longer suitable for an employment use, that there is no local demand for an employment space, or that there are viable alternatives readily available.”
According to the decision notice the proposed houses would be in an area where there is a ‘high risk’ of flooding and planning rules state developments should be built on areas with a lower risk of flooding if possible.
The decision notice added: “There are proposed land allocations and a high likelihood of windfall sites for housing in the locality, which would be at a lower risk of flooding than the application site.
“The applicant has failed to demonstrate that there are not reasonably available sites appropriate for the development with a lower risk of flooding and the evidence of need for the type of housing proposed is insufficient to outweigh the development plan and national policy position on the location of new development in respect of flood risk.”
The plans faced objections from residents and Coniston Parish Council.
Coniston Parish Council said: “The removal of a workshop used until recently by a local carpenter/joinery business will be detrimental to the village’s central role as a rural service centre, reducing the ability of businesses to continue to operate locally.
“The design of the houses does not relate well to the settlement and, in particular, to the neighbouring properties and that the cost of the development will be such that the houses will not meet local housing needs.”
A design and access statement says: “The spatial layout of the site is designed to maximise the unique setting without becoming overbearing on existing neighbouring residential properties bounding the site.
“The proposed accommodation is spread over two floors however eaves and ridge have been set lower than a full two-storey house to reduce impact on the neighbouring properties. The proposal makes best use of land to provide two local needs houses.”
