A PLAN to construct 19 industrial units on land in Staveley has been unanimously opposed by the village's parish council.

The proposal details the development on land off Danes Road on the edge of Staveley into office and light industrial units with associated landscaping and parking.

However, since it was submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority's (LDNPA) planning department on June 7, more than 50 letters of objection have now been submitted.

And while opponents have cited their view that the development is out of character with the area, the main objection centres on claims that the land is prone to frequent flooding and that if they project went ahead, there are fears that this problem would worsen.

"The main worry is over flooding," said Pete Bland, who lives close to the site.

"The River Gowan floods frequently and has done so many times over the years, and if this goes ahead, the surface water will be greater and there will be real problems downstream.

"There are real fears in the village over this."

At a meeting of Staveley-with-Ings Parish Council earlier this month, the issue was discussed at length and parish councillors voted to unanimously oppose the plans.

There were also 23 members of the public in attendance which councillors noted was a reflection of the strength of feeling over the issue.

In addition, Cumbria Wildlife Trust have also registered their objections with the National Park Authority.

"We feel that it would be a blot on the landscape of a lovely village," read a letter of objection submitted to the LDNPA from Ian and Victoria Smith of Staveley. "There appears to be an abundance of industrial units and spare land outside of the national park area."

"An ugly, unsympathetic development of this nature would completely change the entrance to this end of Staveley village for both residents and visitors," reads a letter from Paul and Rose White.

"It would be totally out of keeping with the character of the area."

Cllr Pat Bell, who represents the Kendal Rural ward on South Lakeland District Council and who was present at the parish council meeting, said the opposition was concerted and the case was put very articulately.

"I wholeheartedly support them and I just cannot understand why this plan would be given the go ahead as it would exacerbate what is already a dire situation with regards to flood risk," she said.

A spokesperson for the Lake District National Park Authority confirmed the application had been received but said a date had not yet been set for the application to go before the Authority's planning department.