A FURNESS village could get planning permission for nearly 50 new houses this week – in the face of continued unease about flooding.

Long-standing plans by developers Brookhouse Group, based in Sale, go before South Lakeland District Council’s planning committee on Thursday.

The company wants to build 46 two, three and four-bedroomed houses on land next to Burlington Church of England Primary and Nursery School in Kirkby-in-Furness.

The development would involve two, three and four-bed detached, semi-detached and ‘mews-style’ homes, along with a limited number of bungalows.

The plans have been in the making since 2017 and the applicants have applied to reduce the number of affordable houses on the development.

It said: “The aim is to create an attractive, inclusive and convenient street network with a design speed of 20mph that supports and encourages pedestrian and cycle movement while safely accommodating the needs of the car and service/emergency vehicles.”

Kirkby Ireleth Parish Council has not objected but said the land is renowned for flooding. It remains ‘very concerned’ that new housing might ‘aggravate’ the problem.

It also fears that the homes may add to congestion at the school, which fronts onto the A595 on the village outskirts.

Resident Gary Riley, of Burlington Close, has told SLDC that he has flooding concerns. Resident David Coney supports the plan but is not convinced the planned surface water plans are adequate.

Cumbria County Council, as the local flood authority, has said the land is not in a ‘flood risk area’. It is, however, in ‘flood zone one’ – the lowest risk of flooding by rivers or sea. CCC regards the applicants’ surface water scheme as ‘acceptable’.

A total of three people have written in about the scheme – one objector and two not objecting but making comments.

Sarah Powell, headteacher of the school, has written to SLDC to make a plea over parking and construction traffic.

She has asked that any heavy machinery or large lorries should not use the site during busy drop-off and pick-up times to reduce the risk of accidents.

She has also asked if parking restrictions on neighbouring Burlington Close could be temporarily amended because parking for parents will be ‘limited’ during the works.

The application, which is being recommended for approval by SLDC officers, will be discussed by the planning committee, chaired by Cllr Pete McSweeney.