PLANNERS will be taking a closer look at a Windermere plot before ruling on a controversial bid to provide eleven affordable homes for local families.

At a meeting of the Lake District National Park Authority development control committee, members decided to carry out a site visit of land off Lickbarrow Close where a Workington-based housing association hopes to build a Victorian-style house divided into 11 apartments.

The plan has generated some 63 letters of objection including one from Windermere Parish Council which felt the three-storey building was over-intensive and in the wrong place. Similarly South Lakeland District Council recommended refusal unless the LDNPA was persuaded that the design, scale and access were appropriate.

The Windermere and Bowness Civic Society has added its voice to protests over the scheme arguing that applicants Impact Housing could buy a large house in Windermere and convert it rather than resort to new build. In a letter to national park planners, the society maintained that in June 2001, when Impact first submitted its application, there were 32 suitable Windermere properties on the market for around £87,000 - the value of a Government grant available to housing associations.

Concerns over the capacity of the sewage system to cope with new housing were also raised by the civic society as well as doubt over the ability of the LDNPA to police local occupancy conditions proposed for the 11 apartments.

At Monday's committee meeting. two Windermere residents spoke up to further condemn the plan on the grounds of unsightliness and road safety.

Meanwhile, Brian Barden, the planning agent for Impact Housing, voiced support for the scheme. He told members they could allow affordable housing on the site even though it was outside Windermere's development boundary and he rejected arguments from some neighbours that the proposal's 14 parking spaces were inadequate, saying planners would condemn any more as excessive.

On road safety grounds Mr Barden said the junction between Park Road and Lickbarrow Road was straight and should not pose a hazard, and he further defended the demand for the development.

"You have heard it every time you have an application for affordable housing in the national park that there isn't a need or it can be met in some other way. I'm afraid this committee knows better. The need is getting more and more as house prices are climbing."

Members of the LDNPA planning committee will inspect the site on either January 14 or 15 and the application is due to be determined on February 4.

January 10, 2003 14:00