COUNCILLORS have expressed their concerns about proposed plans for a new convenience store in Kendal.

A planning application for a Co-op to be built on the car park behind the Duke of Cumberland pub on Appleby Road has been submitted by landowners Punch Partnerships Limited to South Lakeland District Council.

Councillor Adam Edwards said: “A competing store to the area would be quite detrimental.

“There’s a big concern about traffic on Sandylands Road with the junction off Appleby Road and Shap Road.

“It’s problematic.

“You’ve also got the foot traffic going up to Queen Katherine School when it opens.”

The area is already served by several stores including Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, a Spar on Sandylands and several locally owned businesses.

“We’ve got two major supermarkets this end,” said Cllr Edwards.

“We’ve also got local businesses, Burrells, Spar. I don’t think it’s necessary to have another large company move into the area.

“There are other places which are more in need of a Co-op than we are.”

The application also includes proposed works to the Duke of Cumberland, a redesigned beer garden and a reconfigured car park ‘including retained vehicular access from Shap Road and relocated vehicular access from Appleby Road.’

Councillor Eamonn Hennessy said: “I want to make it clear that in no way do I have concerns about the Duke of Cumberland, because I think that would be a great asset to that part of town.

“My concerns are with regards to a Co-op. There are already several independent retailers in that area, so whether it’s necessary infrastructure is questionable.

“Several residents have contacted me as the district councillor for Kendal East, which encompasses Sandylands, to voice their concerns.

“Including fears about the future of the local Spar, which is a community hub.

“I think in addition there’s going to be increasing volumes of traffic at what is already a pinch point.

“The area also has one of the highest levels of air pollution in Kendal. So more traffic will equal more emissions, which is not in keeping with what we’re trying to achieve as a council.”