Kendal Auction Mart this week unveiled ambitious plans to create a state-of-the-art agricultural centre, complete with its own abattoir, on land close to

Junction 36 of the M6 near Crooklands.

The mart has long since outgrown its cramped premises in the heart of a residential area at Kendal's Appleby Road.

In theory, the proposal has much to commend it: for example, the removal of livestock wagons from town and the Sandylands estate; the freeing up of a brownfield site in the town; and the creation of new jobs.

The all-in-one nature of the proposed local agricultural centre is also in line with the increasing emphasis being placed on locally-produced food and Government pronouncements about reducing 'food miles', including the distance animals are transported for slaughter.

As always in South Lakeland, whether or not the scheme goes ahead or not will largely depend on planning issues.

The area around Junction 36 has been proposed for development many times in recent years.

It has

excellent transport links, being close to the M6, A65 and A590 and, should the Lancaster Canal be restored as far as Kendal, the area would become even more attractive to developers.

A major business park, a park-and-ride site, a farming centre of excellence, even a new South Lakeland

village - all have been suggested in the past.

Extreme caution is crucial, however, to ensure

inappropriate development does not spoil this largely rural landscape, which serves as an important gateway to the Lake District and gives many visitors their first impression of the area.

Developers clearly have their eyes on Junction 36.

Any planning applications would be dealt with on their merits, although the appeal system has the potential of taking decisions out of local hands.

At the moment the South Lakeland Local Plan identifies a site to the south-east of Milnthorpe Station, next to and including the former Nestle food processing plant, as a major strategic employment site.

But it would seem wise for district councillors and

officers to develop a clear vision and lay down some guidelines about what, if any, type of development might be allowed on land even closer to Junction 36.

Publishing such guidelines would allow the district

council to keep even firmer control over that area.

It would also help to discourage any unsuitable speculative development applications - and the accompanying time and public costs of dealing with them.