RESIDENTS have voiced their dismay that a developer plans to delete six affordable homes from its new-build project near Grange-over-Sands.

House builder Applethwaite Ltd has begun groundworks on open grassland at Jack Hill, Allithwaite, where it won planning consent on appeal for 18 new dwellings last April. Six two-bed terraced houses were to be "reserved for affordable occupation" - three for rent and three for discounted sale.

However, the Bamber Bridge-based company has now submitted a fresh set of plans to South Lakeland District Council for 18 open-market homes, with the affordable element removed.

The move has angered many residents, including in nearby Grange where the revised plans are to be discussed by Grange Town Council on Monday (February 13) at 7pm, at Victoria Hall. Members of the public will also have a chance to speak.

"This is the only hope many local people have of getting on the housing ladder, particularly since the Grange area is more expensive than the average in South Lakeland," said Grange mayor Cllr Tricia Thomas.

"I hope SLDC will stick to its guns about the number of affordable homes on the site as was agreed in the original application. If it gives way I am concerned this could set a precedent and other developers could try to get away with similar behaviour.

"This area is a low-wage economy based on the retail and catering/hospitality sectors. If we are to retain young people and families in the area we need affordable housing."

The Westmorland Gazette contacted applicant Colin Hetherington, of Applethwaite, for a comment, and was told in a statement: "The planning application is a public document, which is available to view on South Lakeland's planning website. Planning policy advises that the provision of affordable housing requires balance against development viability. This approach is supported by national planning policy and South Lakeland's Local Plan."

Objector Val Kennedy, of Kents Bank, said: "There's a large group of us who are worried about it. If the developers get this through, it means they have driven a coach and horses through SLDC's Local Plan and all other developers are likely to follow suit and claim their sites aren't viable and they can't afford to put up affordable housing."

Lower Allithwaite Parish Council has objected to the new plans, stating it "remains opposed to any watering down" of SLDC's policy of providing at least 35 per cent affordable housing on such sites.

SLDC has also responded to the removal of the six affordable homes. The development plans team states the new proposals are "in direct conflict" with the local plan and are contrary to policy.

Meanwhile, SLDC's housing group says there is "clear affordable housing need in the area", with 10 households on the waiting list for rented houses in Allithwaite, and 119 in the Grange area.