CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 119 new homes on the edge of Kendal could 'spoil' the gateway to the Lake District, claim local residents.

Property agents GVA, on behalf of Levens Estate, are seeking outline planning permission from South Lakeland District Council for the site to the south of Lumley Road.

But residents who fear the development is too dense and incompatible with Kendal's status as a Market Town have formed an action group and put up a large banner in response.

Arthur Mayo, chair of the South Kendal Preservation Association (SKPA), said: "The sheer volume of the development will lead to the degradation of the approach to Kendal."

Mr Mayo had his house built on Lumley Road 58 years ago and, like other residents, attended a consultation meeting in March at Stonecross Manor Hotel where 300 people packed into the meeting.

Eighty-five comment forms were received, with 62 opposing the development, eight supporting, and 15 people who were unsure while more than 250 comments were made about areas of concern such as additional traffic congestion.

A statement released from SKPA said they opposed the development being built on such a 'prominent' hillside which would be visible from the bypass.

The statement said: "Unlike the other approaches to Kendal where the housing gradually increases in density this would be immediately very dense and out of character with its surroundings."

There are also concerns that the proposed surface water drainage which will allow polluted surface water from the site to enter a tributary to the River Kent - which has one of the North West’s highest populations of White Clawed Crayfish.

Some residents at the meeting in March also noted that existing services – including hospitals and schools – are already at capacity and could not cope with the proposed development.

The planning documents say that 29 positive comments were received, with support for affordable housing provision - 42 of the 119 houses will be affordable - and the proposed layout.

GVA said that following the consultation, the plans were changed to reduce the number of homes from 122 to 119, and the lay-out was altered to create a lower density development nearer to the boundary with Lumley Road.