Proposals to make a series of changes to roads in Windermere ahead of a major development have been given the go-ahead.
Members of the development control committee for the Lake District National Park Authority approved plans from Urban Splash Developments Limited for the construction of a raft of road improvements on the A591 and Thwaites Lane.
Plans also involve the development of cycle and pedestrian links between Orrest Head Farm and Windermere Railway Station.
The work is required to accommodate the delivery of the Orrest Head Farm mixed-use allocation site in the local plan which is anticipated to deliver 250 homes.
The Orrest Head Farm site forms part of the Windermere Gateway Project which covers a wider area including Windermere Railway Station and the surrounding land.
Urban Splash said the project aimed to create a transformational new gateway for Windermere that delivered affordable and local needs housing, jobs and improved sustainable travel opportunities.
The applicant’s agent Andrew Johnston, director of Made it Together, told the committee the proposed infrastructure work was essential for making the site accessible and available for future phases of development.
Mr Johnston added: “This application seeks to lay the framework for future development at Orrest Head Farm through crucial highway improvements which will support future housing and job creation on an allocated site in Windermere.”
The approved plans include work to enable the existing A591 road speed limit to be reduced to 30mph on approach to Windermere Gateway and then reduced to 20mph.
On Thwaites Lane a new four arm junction with an east-west pedestrian/cycleway route is proposed.
Plans also involve the creation of new junctions from the A591 and Thwaites Lane into the Orrest Head Farm site.
The proposals received 36 objections which raised concerns over the impact it could have on road safety.
However the report added: “Given the information provided to support the application and the conclusions of the local highway authority, I consider that the development would not have an unacceptable impact on highway safety or result in severe cumulative impacts on the road network, subject to recommended conditions.”
After the approval was granted, Joe Woolley, of Urban Splash, said: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission for this first phase of work – a phase that will not only bring highways improvements and cycle connections to the local area but will also enable us to move forward with proposals for the housing phases – something we’re currently working on plans for.
“Our thanks to all of the local people who engaged with us during the consultation and planning process, giving valuable feedback to help shape our vision, as well as our partners and the Council with whom we will work as they take this phase forward.”
