PLANS for 105 new homes on pasture fields off Kendal Parks Road, Kendal, have been submitted by Carlisle-based developer Story Homes.

Kendal Town Council has given its backing to the outline plans for the 4.98-hectare site, subject to an independent traffic study and interpretative panels being placed in the bluebell woods close by.

Meanwhile, a number of neighbours have shared their concerns with South Lakeland District Council.

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Among those is the Salvation Army, whose Kendal Corps officers' quarters are at nearby Fulmar Drive. In a letter to planners, the regional estates surveyor at the Salvation Army's north regional office says that "the Salvation Army write to express our concerns with the scale and extent of the proposed residential development".

Concerns were also raised about increased road traffic; and the impact on drains, sewers and 'overstretched' health and education services.

A resident of Valley Drive, Audrey Munday, said she chose the location for 'peace and quiet' and was concerned about 'a potential extra 200 plus vehicles'. She told SLDC: "Every time it rains we have a flood at the bottom of our front garden, I honestly can't see how an additional 105 dwellings will help this situation."

She added: "Please reconsider permitting yet another green space being lost."

In planning documents, Story Homes says the plans are the first part of a wider application for housing, with the potential for a further 100 homes to be developed.

A survey of white-clawed crayfish in the stretch of Natland Beck that runs through the fields found 66 of the protected creatures. The survey, commissioned by Story Homes, said efforts should be made to ensure their safety.

Last year the developer posted more than 4,000 leaflets to residents and businesses to seek their views, as well as setting up a phone line and website. The leaflet attracted 112 responses, according to planning documents, with 19 per cent thinking the site was a good location for new homes, and 67 per cent disagreeing.

Comments received included:

- "The sooner the better. If you get past the Kendal NIMBYs"

- "Kendal does not need all these new homes. Plenty of empty properties"

- "I am concerned about the size of this development and the impact on local schools; and the safety of Oxenholme Road, Kendal Parks junction with increased traffic".

Story Homes concluded that a response rate of under three per cent showed that opposition was not widespread, with many residents "apparently apathetic" about the proposals.