FEARS about the effect a major new business park around junction 36 of the M6 motorway would have on the Furness economy has led to the proposal being rejected by councillors.

Development on land around the Farleton interchange was seen by some councillors as a way of solving the problems of recent job losses and lack of industrial land around Kendal.

South Lakeland District Council had set up a working party to investigate the idea but the planning and transportation committee decided to reject any major development on the site.

It has set up another working group to consider a much smaller scheme.

The decision came during a discussion on proposed new regional planning guidance, issued by the North West Regional Assembly, on which the council was being consulted.

SLDC's head of economy and environment Richard Greenwood told councillors that any large-scale development of the site would contravene several of the proposed guidelines, including those favouring development on brown field sites, sites connected to the rail network and sites close to town centres.

In order to continue with the scheme, he said the committee would need to submit an objection to the regional planning guidance and make their case at an "Examination in Public."

A few councillors felt that they should raise an objection and challenge the guidance to keep the option open, but the overwhelming majority felt that the scheme was inappropriate and they should concentrate their efforts in assisting the Furness area.

Committee chairman Coun Colin Hodgson, a member of the board of Furness Enterprise, said the organisation's chairman had expressed "very deep concern" at the prospect of major development at junction 36.

Coun Bob Bolton (Ulverston east) said he would be strongly opposed to any plans which affected employment in Furness.

He added that such a development would be a "slap in the face for Furness."