A SCHEME to provide affordable homes in Kirkby Lonsdale has been refused planning permission following strong objections from residents.

Two Castles Housing Association wanted to build six shared ownership houses for local people on land south of Binfold Croft, on the south eastern edge of the town.

But, after hearing that Kirkby Lonsdale's parish council, civic society, and many residents in the town were against the plans, South Lakeland District Council turned down the application.

Parish council chairman Alan Day told the development control sub-committee that he was not aware of anyone in the town who was in favour of the development.

He said it would lessen the attractiveness of Kirkby Lonsdale which is visited by thousands of people every year, many of whom use the path from Devil's Bridge, right past the Binfold Croft site.

Mr Day added that he was not convinced of a need for affordable homes, given the fact that there were currently two former council houses for sale in the town.

He also said that at a public inquiry, in 1988, a planning inspector had made it clear that this piece of land should not be developed.

SLDC's head of development control, Peter Ridgway, explained that although the land was outside the development boundary for Kirkby Lonsdale, the committee should approve the plan if they thought the need for affordable homes was exceptional.

He said that a survey conducted in 1997 showed there was a need for these type of houses in Kirkby Lonsdale.

But, ward councillor Barclay Stainton said he was not convinced that this need still existed in the town, three years after the survey was carried out.

He added that the proposed site was unsuitable for development.

l Originally the application for Binfold Croft had included building a doctor's surgery and medical centre on the same site, although this part of the plan had been withdrawn.

Later at the meeting, the committee approved outline plans by E.H.

Booth and Co Ltd for a surgery and health care centre with business units on land off the New Link Road, next to Bentinck Drive, Kirkby Lonsdale.

Councillors heard that this site had good access and parking, and was the preferred option for doctors at the town's Green Close Surgery, who needed larger premises.