REsidents protest housing build plans

9:02am Friday 16th May 2008

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PASSIONATE objections were expressed in Burneside this week when almost 50 residents gathered to discuss plans for a possible 120 and 160 new homes in the village.

At a meeting organised by Burneside Residents' Association and Burneside Parish Council, villagers heard how, in order to fulfil a central government requirement to create 8,800 new homes in the South Lakeland area by 2025, South Lakeland District Council had proposed building on a green field site behind Cropper's Mill.

The proposal is one of a number of options being explored by SLDC as part of the South Lakeland Local Development Framework and, if approved, it will see a mixture of residential and industrial units built on the site, which is owned by James Cropper PLC.

The majority or residents were opposed to the proposal and argued that the construction of the new homes would add to problems with traffic and sewage disposal that already existed in Burneside.

John Rogers, a member of Burneside Residents' Association, said: "The site is not far away from the river and at times when it runs high the old sewerage system, which has been there since the village was built, is unable to cope because of the extra houses that have already been built. The bottom of my road stinks with sewage. There is toilet paper all over the road every time it rains."

Local resident, Sharon Shaw, was particularly concerned about the extra traffic the development would bring to the roads in the village, many of which are single lane, and described the proposal as "absolutely ridiculous."

A number of local councillors were also present at the meeting and Coun Frank Hodson said he would pass on the residents' concerns to SLDC.

The consultation process has begun and although SLDC must create 8,800 new houses, the location of these houses, 30 per cent of which will be set-aside for local occupancy, is still up for negotiation.

Other potential sites in the Kendal area include land to the east of Westmorland Business Park, Kentrigg and a green field site near Oxenholme between Brow Head Farm and the railway line.

For information or to comment on the local development framework visit www. southlakeland.gov.uk/ldf. Comments can also be sent to developmentplans @southlakeland.gov.uk or Development Plans Manager, SLDC, South Lakeland House, Lowther Street, Kendal LA9 4DL.

The deadline for responses is May 30.