RESIDENTS will be consulted about their views on the long-term use of common land at New Road in Kendal early in the New Year.

South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) has always stated that the landscaping scheme completed earlier this year would lay the groundwork for the eventual long-term use of the site, which would be determined following public engagement.

This engagement will gauge views on options including retaining the common land protections and keeping it as green open space, or applying to de-register the land as common to potentially allow an alternative use, such as properly regulated car parking.

To ensure residents are able to reach informed choices on the various options, SLDC is keen that a number of important factors are taken in to account, some that will not be available until the early part of 2019.

Central will be the results of an extensive parking-need study which will determine how much parking capacity Kendal will need up to 2025, along with considerations about the replacement Gooseholme bridge and how the use of land at New Road affects the Environment Agency’s flood defence plans.

The landscaping scheme completed in May this year involved the removal of contaminated material from the sub-base of the site, followed by laying out of pathways, creating grassed areas and installation of safety barriers, seating and lighting.

David Sykes, SLDC’s Director of People and Places, said: "“The parking-need study, which is due to be completed early in 2019, will show the predicted demand for public parking spaces in Kendal up to 2025, and how much additional parking provision may be needed.

“The information from the parking study will help inform decisions about additional parking need, how much that may cost and how New Road could potentially fit in.

“Once we have that information we can draw-up options and present all the details so that residents can make informed choices in the consultation.’’