TOWN councillors have backed residents in their bid to stop nearly 30 homes being built on ‘a beautiful green space’.

More than two dozen objectors packed into Kendal Town Council’s planning committee on Monday night to voice their opposition to the proposed housing development on land behind Helme Drive.

The application, by Natland-based Oakmere Homes, proposes 26 houses with access from Natland Mill Beck Lane off the Burton Road roundabout near Asda.

Another application, also put forward by Oakmere, proposes that the rest of the field be used to a ‘training and teaching area’ with hardstanding, for potential use by schools, clubs and adult learning groups for ecological projects.

Speaking about both applications, Helme Drive resident Andrew Thomas said: “All this development and its associated traffic, increase in noise and general activity would cause a major change to what is currently a pleasant, open field - designated as open space - and would urbanise a lovely rural area.”

Mr Thomas also pointed out the land was not allocated for housing in the local plan and said the scheme could exacerbate flooding problems.

The application proposes widening Natland Mill Beck Lane and adding passing places for the increased volume of traffic.

However, it was argued at the meeting that this was still not sufficient, especially for the minibuses which would be used by any schools using the training facility.

Mr Thomas added: “I believe Natland Mill Beck Lane is totally unsuitable for such levels of traffic from a practical and structural point of view.”

Urging the council to recommend refusal of the housing development, chairman of the committee John Robinson voiced his concern about the increased traffic on the small country road.

The committee also recommended the training centre development be refused on the same basis. It was pointed out by councillor Claire Feeney-Johnson that many schools in the area did their own ecological projects anyway.