COUNCILLORS have again voted against what has been dubbed a "tower block" development on an outlying Kendal estate.

It follow issues about the design of the 65 apartments planned for The Oaks, off Oxenholme Road, and concerns about the impact of more vehicles on the small roundabout close by.

The item was back on the agenda at yesterday's (Thursday) meeting of South Lakeland District Council's planning committee as councillors were asked to outline their reasons for refusing it in March, when they voted against the planning officer's recommendation that permission be granted.

Following lengthy debate yesterday, councillors decided they remained "mindful to refuse" and have delegated the decision to Sue Barton, SLDC's director of strategy and planning, following the outcome of an independent traffic engineer's report on the roundabout.

The decision followed advice from Peter Ridgway, development control manager, who warned members that, while their concerns might be well intentioned or well founded, in the event of an appeal by the applicant and an inquiry, the decision would need to be supported by "substantive evidence."

Coun Patricia Himsworth described the proposal as "urban tower blocks" while Coun Brendan Jamieson said the design was inherently different to the rest of the site and he was concerned about the roundabout.

Coun Bob Bolton said there was a risk of stigmatising occupants by the noticeable difference in the design of the affordable homes.

Mr Ridgway said the developer had needed to make some adjustments to the affordable housing segment as the market value decided in 1999 compared to what they could expect to sell for now, would make them difficult to afford even with a discount.

Merewood Group had proposed to create affordable housing in three blocks, ranging from four storey to six storey, as part of the last phase of development at the site.

April 24, 2003 15:00