Clifton Community Council has reaffirmed its formal objected to controversial plans for 49 new homes on agricultural land at the southern edge of the village, warning the development would represent unsustainable growth and place further pressure on local infrastructure.
The objection has been submitted as part of a fresh consultation on the outline planning application by Lowther Estates Ltd, which seeks permission to build 49 homes on land off Valley Road following a debate and vote at the councils recent meeting.
The proposal has attracted significant opposition since it was first submitted in 2021, with more than 70 residents objecting and public meetings held within the village to discuss concerns.
In a strongly-worded response, Clifton Community Council said it was representing the views of a majority of local residents and remains firmly opposed to the scheme.
Councillors said they are deeply concerned that the development would take place outside the established settlement boundary and conflicts with the spatial strategy contained within the adopted Eden Local Plan.
The council's response states that allowing development beyond what it describes as the village's natural southern boundary would undermine the plan-led approach to development and contribute to the gradual expansion of Clifton into open countryside.
The community council also highlighted what it described as the "very significant level of public concern" surrounding the proposal, raising concerns over infrastructure capacity, environmental impacts, ecology, traffic and highway safety.
Particular concern has been expressed over the potential increase in traffic using the A6 and village roads, including safety issues surrounding the proposed new access junction serving the development.
Councillors also warned that additional housing growth without corresponding investment in local services and facilities risks creating further social and infrastructure deficits within the village.
The latest objection comes after the application was unexpectedly withdrawn from the agenda of a recent Westmorland and Furness Council planning meeting, where officers had recommended approval.
Planning officers had argued that although the proposal does not conform to the adopted Eden Local Plan, the plan is now considered out of date. The recommendation also cited changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and the council's current inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply.
However, Westmorland and Furness Council later confirmed the application was removed from the agenda to allow a fresh consultation to take place, including updated responses from statutory consultees and neighbouring properties.
A Westmorland and Furness council spokesperson said concerns had been raised that some residents had not been directly consulted since the original application was submitted and that highways and education comments on the application dated back to 2023.
The application is expected to return before Westmorland and Furness Council's Eden Area Planning Committee when it meets at Voreda House on 10 June, where councillors will be asked to decide whether to approve or refuse the development.
With Clifton Community Council now formally reiterating its opposition and local concerns remaining strong, the application is set to face close scrutiny when it returns for determination.
A spokesperson for Clifton Community Council said the council was also very concerned that the position taken by Westmorland and Furness Council over referring to the local plan as outdated and casting it aside risked opening the gates to a development free formal, across the entire Eden area. We habe adopted local plans for a reason to deliver development in a structured way that delivers residential in and commercial development in identified areas with wider infrastructure planned around it”.
“If Westmorland and Furness Council maintain the local plan is no longer valid then we will see applications for developments from the top of Penrith Beacon to the edge of the Lake District National Park boundary”
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