GOVERNMENT inspectors have turned down plans to create a storage and welfare facility off the M6 after an appeal was lodged.

The Planning Inspectorate has refused an appeal by L.& W. Wilson Ltd to use a site just off Fairthorns Road near junction 37 as a temporary storage compound for contractors over concerns regarding road safety and the suitability of the site.

Westmorland and Furness Council turned down the plans in January and a decision notice issued by the authority said the proposed development would result in ‘significant harm’ to highway safety.

It added: “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.”

Appeal documents say the storage and welfare facility supports ‘essential infrastructure works’ along the motorway and describe the council’s decision as ‘wholly erroneous’.

The planning statement says the land contains portacabins and welfare units however these were not present when the planning inspector visited the site.

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

Appeal documents add the location of the site in open countryside is ‘justified’ by the need to be located close to the infrastructure works and add the impact on highways has been assessed as ‘negligible’.

However, a report by a planning inspector says it has not been demonstrated that the rural roads are ‘suitable’ for heavy goods vehicles and construction traffic.

The report adds: “I conclude that the proposal would harm the safe operation of the local highway, with particular regard to amenity and the scope for conflict between road users.”

Appeal documents say the proposed site would be used to support essential infrastructure works involving replacing crash barriers along the bridges of the M6 up to Carlisle.

The planning statement submitted by the applicant 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.”

The appeal was refused by the Planning inspectorate on October 15.