THE architect behind the project to transform Kendal's Woolpack Yard into a hotel complex with large shop units has expressed disappointment at Kendal Town Council's lack of support for the plans, reports Andrew Daniels.
The first drawings of the proposed large-scale development, which featured in The Westmorland Gazette last month, showed how a 50-bed hotel, new shop units and a pedestrian link to connect Marks and Spencer to Booths and Wainwright's Yard would look.
Tony Hills, of Corstorphine and Wright Hills Erwin, who also designed Wainwright's Yard, said his reaction was one of "total surprise" when he heard the town council had recommended refusal for the plans lodged with South Lakeland District Council.
"Generally a lot of people are in favour of it so I'm really quite surprised," he said.
"The half a dozen or so benefits of the scheme were reported last time and they still remain.
"I'm very disappointed that they (the council) didn't take at least a more positive view of it."
At Monday's meeting of the town council, members heard the planning committee had recommended refusal on three main grounds; the height of the development; the over intensive use of the Woolpack Yard area of land; and the increased amount of traffic the development would create in the Woolpack Yard area of the town.
An application to demolish buildings to the west end of Woolpack Yard was also recommended for refusal on the grounds that there was no justification and that the council would prefer the retention of buildings of historic interest.
Mr Hills said the main benefits of the proposed scheme were the provision of large retail space to accommodate demand from national retailers; increased pedestrian use of the conservation area; the creation of additional parking; enhancement of the conservation area by developing an under-used area of town; the creation of a town centre hotel to meet requirements for business hotel accommodation; and fitting commercial development within the existing yard pattern.
Despite the town council opposition, Mr Hills was still hopeful South Lakeland District Council's planning committee would ultimately approve the plans and he said the consultation process was still going on.
The plans are available for viewing at SLDC's offices at South Lakeland House, Kendal, and comments can be made to SLDC.
l AN ARTIST'S impression of how the proposed Woolpack Yard development would look.
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