An outline planning application to build 12 homes on a triangular piece of land at Braithwaite is set to be given the go ahead by Lake District planners this week.
It is recommended that members of the development control committee meeting on Wednesday delegate the decision to build the properties on land west of the A66 to the head of development management to approve.
There have been a number of objections to the proposal, submitted by the Hallgarth Estate, to build the homes, seven of which are described as being ‘affordable’ with the remainder said to meet a local need.
The objections express concern that the majority of the proposed development is for market housing and that such housing would become second homes or holiday lets.
But the LDNPA says that is not the proposal and added that in order to comply with its housing policies all of the housing would be restricted by a local occupancy condition. It would prevent use for holiday letting purposes or as second homes.
Objectors have also raised concerns about the nearby junction with the A66 pointing to recent accidents and intensification of the use. They say it is already a busy junction onto a busy and fast stretch of the trunk road.
A report to planners says the development would be accessed from a minor road, with no new accesses to the A66. They will hear that neither the local highway authority nor National Highways have objected to the proposals.
The developers say that protected trees on the site will be maintained as part of the development and no buildings are to be constructed within their root protection areas.
And those who have opposed the application also point out the impact the development will have on wildlife and biodiversity, property values and the view of Skiddaw for all residents who live at the north end of the village.
They are also concerned about the urban spread in a protected national park with the development detracting from the rural nature of the location.
The report concludes that the application site is well related to the village of Braithwaite and would provide a mixture of local needs and local affordable needs housing consistent with housing and strategic policies.
It adds that it would reinforce local character, maintain local distinctiveness and sense of place and conserve the extraordinary harmony and beauty of the Lake District landscape.
