PART RETROSPECTIVE plans to create a storage and welfare facility off the M6 in Cumbria has been refused by the council as it would cause ‘significant harm’ to road safety.

Westmorland and Furness Council has turned down proposals from L. & W. Wilson Ltd to use open countryside just off Fairthorns Road near junction 37 of the M6 as a temporary storage compound for contractors working nearby to the site.

The decision notice states: “The application site is located in an unsustainable location within the open countryside, significant away from any settlement, and the applicant has failed to demonstrate the essential need for the proposed development in the location proposed.

“The proposed development would result in significant harm to highways safety due to the intensification of the adjacent country lane, particularly by large construction vehicles, and also due to the distracting high level lighting erected at the site."

Planning documents state the land contains portacabins, welfare units, land for material storage and solar PV panels.

According to planning documents the only non retrospective element of the planning application is the creation of an access road.

The planning statement says: “The proposal is sought to allow for the storage of materials and provision of onsite welfare units in association with essential contracting works primarily relating to the strategic road network. The proposal would utilise previously developed land including the existing site access and creation of a new temporary access to provide a suitable compound for contractors carrying out the essential works.

“The proposal would not result in an unacceptable impact on the local highways network and any traffic would be limited only to those carrying out the contracting work who would exit the site turning left.”

New Hutton Parish Council did not object to the plans but stated the site is ‘bright to the point of dazzling’ on Fairthorns Road.

The parish council state: “Much of the equipment is already on site and has been for some months. There is no mention of the security lighting in the application. At the minute it is very bright to the point of dazzling on Fairthorns Road and must be a distracting hazard for drivers on the M6. The condition should require the luminosity to be reduced and the lights to be pointed downwards.”

Westmorland and Furness Council refused the application on January 25.