AN APPLICATION has been submitted that would see 37 dwellings erected on agricultural land at Allithwaite.

The project at Barn Hey Farm would consist primarily of smaller-sized units, with 32 of the properties having under four bedrooms. The majority of the properties would face the B5277.

"The site layout forms two terraces running along the natural contours," says a design and access statement submitted as part of the application from L&W Wilson (Higham) Ltd.

"The main access to the development utilises the access from the B5277 which is used for farm traffic and residential units.

"The access is to be widened, with the addition of a pavement to provide safe access into the proposed development."

An agricultural barn would be demolished to accommodate the development.

A heritage statement published as part of the application says: "The building, made up by linking three shed units, is a typical modern agricultural shed used for housing livestock and machinery.

"Whilst the buildings are of a modern construction and design, they do represent the agricultural nature of the site.

"The buildings have no historical merit and are therefore categorised as having no significance."

The statement says the proposed construction site is 'largely undeveloped agricultural land'.

"The southern section of the site is relatively flat and level, with the slope increasing most dramatically from the northern-field boundary hedgerow," it says.

A pedestrian route has been proposed to the south-east of the site that would provide access to Locker Lane.

It is proposed to make 13 of the properties affordable.

An ecological appraisal submitted by envirotech in support of the application says 'ecological surveys, site appraisals and impact assessments' have been carried out at the site.

A number of mitigation measures have been proposed to limit the impact on wildlife, including work taking place during daylight hours to reduce risk to badgers passing through the site, and utilising plants 'which are native and wildlife-friendly' in landscaping.

"Bats, badgers and nesting birds are known to occur in the local area," says the appraisal.

"There was, however, no conclusive evidence of any specifically protected species regularly occurring on the site or the surrounding areas which would be negatively affected by site development following the mitigation proposed."

A full planning application has been submitted to South Lakeland District Council for approval.