Windermere barns to homes conversion approved

Members of South Lakeland local area planning committee are recommended to approve plans to convert barns at Aikrigg Green Farm in Lupton into five four-bedroom homes.

The report prepared for the committee states: “the proposal is acceptable in principle and would have an acceptable impact on the character and appearance of the area, biodiversity and the living conditions of future and nearby occupants.

“Moreover, despite the objection from the Local Highway Authority, the proposal would not have an unacceptable impact on highway safety nor would the residual cumulative impacts on the road network be severe. Therefore, as the proposal accords with the development plan taken as a whole, planning permission should be approved subject to the conditions.”

According to the planning report the Local Highway Authority raised concerns about the width of the access track and lack of visibility splays on the proposed plans as the national speed limit of 60mph appears to apply on Goodmickle Road which will connect with the private access track.

However, the planning report states it is unlikely vehicles will travel at the speed limit due to the characteristics of the road and splays as low as 59m can be used when the known 85th percentile speed is 37mph.

According to the planning statement, Aikrigg Green Farm is located in open countryside 4km north of Kirkby Lonsdale and 1km west of Old Town.

The barns are 150 years old and constructed with stone and slate roofs. The proposals include the removal of the sheeted buildings that obscure the barns from public view.

The planning statement says the conversion of the barns into houses will ensure the buildings are protected from “slow deterioration” and due to the removal of the sheeted buildings will make a “positive visual impact locally”.

Councillors will decide whether to approve the application on Thursday (November 2) at Kendal Town Hall.