CONTROVERSIAL plans to earmark land for more than 150 houses at a site south of Underbarrow Road in Kendal went on display as part of a public consultation.

Among the concerns raised by residents about the development were the loss of green spaces, access to the town centre, increased traffic and inadequate drainage.

“We don’t want it,” said Liz Lawson. “Access to the town is very poor and there isn’t even a footpath. I could understand if they were all houses for local young people but I doubt they will be.”

Kath Trimingham, of Maple Drive, said the area was ‘already too overcrowded’.

“We do need more housing but this is just massive – they are getting every little bit of green land and we need to keep as much green space as we can for future generations.”

Andrew Kohn, of Belmont, said: “I’m concerned about things like drainage – the water courses are just not fit for purpose and what will happen when all this water gets in downstream areas.

“There seems to be no overall coordination between this and other developments that are being planned.

“I can see the need for low cost housing and I wouldn’t necessarily say this is a bad development taken overall but I would want to know much more about it.”

But Peter Graveson said the development would be ‘good for Kendal’.

“If everybody took the attitude that nothing can be built anywhere, how are people meant to buy houses?

“There are too many people who have their little bit and aren’t interested in whether anybody else is struggling.”

Other developments being consulted on are Cross-a-Moor, at Swarthmoor, Kendal Parks, the south and east of Milnthorpe, Scroggs Wood, north of Kendal, Croftlands and Stainbank Green.

A spokesperson for South Lakeland District Council said: “The decision to allocate the land for development is the outcome of a comprehensive five-year planning process incorporating a public consultations and an independent examination by a planning inspector.

“Issues including transport and access implications, the impact of development on school capacity, drainage and flood risk have been fully considered in the course of the plan preparation process and this was recognised by the inspector when he approved the local plan for land allocations.

“Thirty five per cent of new homes are intended to be affordable.”

Coun Jonathan Brook, portfolio holder for strategic growth, said: “The purpose of the consultation is to listen to residents’ views before a development brief or master plan is prepared. “There will be further consultation on the draft development brief later in the year.’’